Opportunity Connecticut: Reimagining Our Workforce, Economy, and Quality of Life

The CBIA Foundation for Economic Growth and Opportunity, a 501(c)(3) organization created in 2023 to develop a response to the evolving needs of Connecticut’s economy, engaged the national consulting firm Economic Leadership LLC to explore the state’s economic challenges and opportunities.

The regional, national, and global economic landscape is undergoing dynamic, rapid change and the foundation’s primary goal is charting a course for sustained economic growth that drives further predictability for all stakeholders and creates more opportunities for all Connecticut residents.

Over the past decade, Economic Leadership has worked with more than 30 state chambers of commerce across the country to research, develop, and implement a broad range of strategic economic action plans.

The firm’s Connecticut research efforts spanned eight months and formed the framework for developing this long-term roadmap for boosting the state’s economic competitiveness, retaining and attracting investment and talent, fostering innovation, expanding career pathways, and growing a vibrant economy.

As part of the research activities that shaped this economic action plan, the CBIA Foundation hosted more than 30 forums across the state in early 2024 that solicited ideas and perspectives from a diverse group of stakeholders, including business, nonprofit, education, and community leaders along with state lawmakers and administration officials.

In addition, Economic Leadership evaluated more than 25 reports and studies from 2018 to the present that addressed various aspects of Connecticut’s economy, state government, and business climate.

The recommendations outlined in Opportunity Connecticut: Reimagining Our Workforce, Economy, and Quality of Life are designed to boost the state’s competitiveness and its ability to retain and attract business investment and talented people.

They represent a long-term, strategic approach, focusing on the fundamentals of a successful competitive economy and providing policy continuity across election cycles and different administrations to drive generational change.