CBIA BizCast: Connecticut’s Best CNBC Ranking 

How did Connecticut achieve its highest-ever CNBC ranking? 

On this episode of the CBIA BizCast, CBIA president and CEO Chris DiPentima joins Amanda Marlow to break down CNBC’s 2026 America’s Top States for Business rankings and what they mean for Connecticut’s economy. 

Connecticut reached its highest-ever ranking in the 20-year history of the report, climbing five spots to number 23 overall.  

DiPentima and Marlow discuss what’s driving the state’s gains, why workforce challenges remain a concern, and what Connecticut must do to remain competitive. 

Despite Connecticut’s progress, DiPentima says the state must continue addressing workforce challenges while building on recent economic gains. 

“We need to focus on the things that helped with the improvement, the business friendliness, the economic growth, and then work on the things that the scorecard shows we’re clearly having challenges with, like workforce,” DiPentima said. 

Episode Highlights

• How permitting reforms, regulatory improvements, and public-private collaboration helped drive recent progress 
• Why workforce challenges pushed Connecticut’s workforce ranking from eighth to 25th 
• What Connecticut can learn from top-performing states and the long-term strategies needed to remain competitive 
• Why business-friendly policies and economic growth take time to show up in national rankings 

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