CBIA BizCast

CBIA BizCast

By Connecticut Business & Industry AssociationBusiness
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CBIA BizCast episodes

  • Lamont, Fazio Pitch Economic Agendas
    On this episode of the BizCast, we're taking you inside the important discussions that took place during the CBIA Foundation’s Sept. 17 The Connecticut Economy Conference in Hartford.
    Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont and Republican challenger Sen. Ryan Fazio shared their economic agendas with the more than 430 business leaders, public officials, and lawmakers who packed the room.
    Lamont and Fazio spoke separately with CBIA president and CEO Chris DiPentima to make their pitch—addressing affordability, economic growth, and competitiveness.
    In a separate panel, business leaders broke down the findings from the foundation's 2026 Survey of Connecticut Businesses, which gives insight into overall business sentiment and the challenges employers are facing.
    CBIZ' Michael Brooder discussed the survey's findings with U.S. Fabricating president Tom McGwire, Loureiro Engineering president David Fiereck, and The Walker Group co-CEO Jessica Rich.
    The discussion highlighted the most significant challenges employers are facing and what they’re doing to keep business moving.
    Episode Highlights
    Sen. Fazio, Gov. Lamont
    • Affordability
    • Spending and taxes
    • Energy costs
    • Healthcare costs
    • Regulatory Reforms
    • Workforce
    Survey of Connecticut Businesses
    • Business climate
    • Cost pressures
    • Workforce challenges
    • Retaining workers
    • Embracing AI
    Headlines You May Have Missed
    • 2026 Summer/Fall Connecticut Consumer Outlook (https://www.cbia.com/resources/economy/2026-summer-fall-connecticut-consumer-outlook)
    • State Agency Overtime Hits Record $338M (https://www.cbia.com/news/issues-policies/state-agency-overtime-hits-record-338m)
    • August Jobs Report: Supply, Demand Gap Widens (https://www.cbia.com/news/economy/august-jobs-report-supply-demand-gap-widens)
    • Regulators Approve 2026 Health Insurance Rate Increases (https://www.cbia.com/news/issues-policies/regulators-approve-2026-health-insurance-rate-increases)
    23 min
  • CBIA BizCast: Connecticut’s Complicated Labor Market
    From payroll growth to rising unemployment and a shrinking labor force, Connecticut is facing a complicated jobs market.   
    Add growing trade tensions between the U.S. and Canada, one of Connecticut’s most important trading partners, and businesses have a lot to think about.
    On this episode of the CBIA BizCast, host Amanda Marlow sits down with Quinnipiac professor of international business Mohammad Elahee and CBIA Foundation director Dustin Nord.
    Elahee and Nord break down the conflicting signals in the state’s jobs market, factors contributing to the shrinking labor force, and how Connecticut businesses are navigating federal trade uncertainty.
    Episode Highlights
    -Breaking down conflicting jobs data
    -Outmigration, aging population, and workforce challenges
    -Workforce skills gaps
    -Growth industry sectors
    -Investment and economic development
    -Navigating tariff and trade uncertainty
    Headlines You May Have Missed 
    -CBIA Releases 2026 State Legislative Voting Records (https://www.cbia.com/news/media-center/cbia-releases-2026-state-legislative-voting-records)
    -US DOL Issues Unemployment for Striking Workers Warning (https://www.cbia.com/news/issues-policies/us-dol-unemployment-striking-workers)
    -The Lee Company Acquires Two Facilities (https://www.cbia.com/news/manufacturing/lee-company-acquires-new-facilities)
    25 min
  • Meet the Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut Contenders
    Voting is officially underway for the 2026 Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut competition.
    The single-elimination, bracket-style challenge showcases Connecticut’s world-class manufacturing industry.
    On this episode of the CBIA BizCast, we introduce you to the 16 Connecticut-made products that are competing head-to-head in the bracket.
    The public will vote weekly to decide which products advance each round, until the winner is announced Oct. 1 at the at the Made in Connecticut: 2026 Manufacturing Summit.
    The products in this year’s bracket represent the breadth of Connecticut manufacturing, from medical and safety devices to aerospace components, food products, consumer goods, household items, and more.
    Episode Highlights
    Medtronic Hugo Robotic-Assisted Surgery System
    Eljen Corporation Geotextile Sand Filter 
    Martin Rosol’s Kielbasa 
    Inline Plastics Safe-T-Fresh Packaging 
    The Lee Company Satellite Propellant Isolation Valve 
    Whelen Engineering Company Arges Remote Spotlight 
    Ti-Trikes Roadster 750 
    Accurate Lock and Hardware JAM for Accurate Designer Hardware 
    RBC Bearings Satellite Bearing Cartridge 
    Sheffield Pharmaceuticals Dr. Sheffield’s Toothpaste 
    Waterbury Button Company Santa Claus Brass Button 
    Chapco-Fastcorp Dippin’ Dots DIVI Vending Machine 
    BD BD Syringe
    Poly-Tech America Tilt-N-Deploy 
    Calzone Case Co. Calzone Go Live Workstation 
    Omar Coffee Breakfast Blend 
    Headlines You May Have Missed 
    Connecticut 2026 Primary Election Results (https://www.cbia.com/resources/issues-policies/connecticut-2026-primary-election-results)
    Survey: AI Anxiety Tops Employer Concerns (https://www.cbia.com/news/hr-safety/survey-ai-anxiety-tops-employer-concerns)
    Freight Projections: Rail Expands, Trucking Stays Dominant (https://www.cbia.com/news/economy/freight-projections-rail-expands-trucking-stays-dominant)
    21 min
  • Searching for The Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut
    What’s the Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut?
    Voting gets underway Aug. 20 for the third annual competition highlighting our state’s manufacturing industry. (https://www.cbia.com/coolest-thing/)
    Ahead of the competition, CBIA and competition supporter CliftonLarsonAllen visited the 16 companies in the running for this year’s title to showcase the products.
    On this episode of the CBIA BizCast, host Amanda Marlow sits down with CLA’s Brett Bushnell and Matt Gaieski to talk about the competition, this year’s contenders, and the importance of Connecticut’s manufacturing industry.
    Episode Highlights:
    -Overview of the Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut
    -Manufacturing’s role in Connecticut
    -Depth, diversity, and pride of Connecticut manufacturing
    -Workforce challenges
    Headlines You May Have Missed
    -Slow Job Growth, Higher Spending Signal Budget Risks (https://www.cbia.com/news/issues-policies/slow-job-growth-higher-spending-budget-risk)
    -US Navy Awards Electric Boat Record $77B Contract (https://www.cbia.com/news/manufacturing/navy-awards-electric-boat-record-contract)
    -First Phase of $1.6B Metro-North Upgrade Launched (https://www.cbia.com/news/economy/first-phase-metro-north-upgrade)
    The CBIA BizCast is made possible through the generous support of Google. Subscribe to the BizCast wherever you get your podcasts. Please rate the podcast and leave us a review—we appreciate your support! And be sure to give us your feedback and share guests you’d like to hear.
    12 min
  • 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
    Headlines You May Have Missed
    -CBIA Response to June 2026 Employment Report: https://www.cbia.com/news/media-center/cbia-response-to-june-2026-employment-report
    -Pentagon Suspends CMMC Program: https://www.cbia.com/news/manufacturing/pentagon-suspends-cmmc-certification
    -QuantumCT Wins $15M NSF Award: https://www.cbia.com/news/economy/quantumct-wins-15m-nsf-award
    -2026 Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut: https://www.cbia.com/coolest-thing/
    The CBIA BizCast is made possible through the generous support of Google. Subscribe to the BizCast wherever you get your podcasts. Please rate the podcast and leave us a review—we appreciate your support! And be sure to give us your feedback and share guests you’d like to hear.
    14 min
  • CBIA BizCast: Snapshot of Connecticut's Economy
    New data is shedding light on the state of Connecticut’s economy and labor force.
    On this episode of the CBIA BizCast, CBIA Foundation director Dustin Nord joins host Amanda Marlow to talk about new Connecticut Department of Labor data that highlights the mismatch between increased job openings and a shrinking labor force.
    Connecticut job openings jumped 2.6% in May to 87,356—however, since May 2025, 37,700 people have left Connecticut’s labor force.
    Nord breaks down some of the reasons for this mismatch and what needs to be done to address Connecticut’s economic challenges.
    He also shares insights into a U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis report showing Connecticut’s economy expanded 1.8% in the first quarter of 2026.
    12 min
  • Deep Dive Into Connecticut’s Energy Policy
    One of the most important issues for Connecticut residents and businesses is the rising cost of energy, a major factor driving the state's affordability crisis.
    On this episode of the CBIA BizCast, CBIA Foundation director Dustin Nord sits down with host Amanda Marlow to talk about a new report about the relationship between natural gas and electricity prices.
    Produced by the Connecticut Center for Economic Analysis on behalf of the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters, the report claims the state has become more polluted and has more expensive electricity because of the adoption of natural gas over the past 25 years.
    Nord shares his concerns about the report and offers an analysis of Connecticut’s energy infrastructure.
    Episode Highlights:
    Drivers of high energy costs
    Natural gas in Connecticut
    Long-term cost, infrastructure, and environmental picture
    Need for an “all of the above” approach
    https://www.cbia.com/news/issues-policies/natural-gas-does-not-make-electricity-more-expensive
    Headlines You May Have Missed
    What’s Happening to Connecticut’s Labor Force? (https://www.cbia.com/news/economy/connecticut-labor-force-shrinking)
    Healthcare Tax Proposal ‘Unfairly Targets Employers’ (https://www.cbia.com/news/issues-policies/healthcare-tax-proposal-unfairly-targets-employers)
    New Business-Related Laws Take Effect July 1 (https://www.cbia.com/news/issues-policies/new-business-related-laws-july-1)
    15 min
  • Answering Your HR Questions
    Navigating Connecticut’s complex workplace laws is always at the top of mind for employers and HR professionals.
    In this episode of the CBIA BizCast, CBIA associate HR counsel Delmarina Lopez (https://www.cbia.com/about/delmarina-lopez/ ) joins host Amanda Marlow to answer some commonly asked questions.
    The episode also features highlights from the 2026 National Civics Bee Connecticut State Finals.
    The CBIA BizCast is made possible through the generous support of Google. Subscribe to the BizCast wherever you get your podcasts. Please rate the podcast and leave us a review—we appreciate your support! And be sure to give us your feedback and share guests you’d like to hear .
    20 min
  • Building Career Pathways
    What does Connecticut need to do to prepare high school students for the careers of today, and tomorrow?
    That’s the mission of the newly formed Connecticut Career Pathways Commission.
    In this episode of the CBIA BizCast, CBIA president and CEO Chris DiPentima joins host Amanda Marlow to break down the commission.
    DiPentima is one of the 30 members of the commission selected by the Lamont Administration—which also includes representatives from the business, education, and public sectors.
    Episode Highlights:
    • Commission members and goals
    • Miguel Cardona’s role and leadership
    • Tight timeline
    • Breaking down silos
    • Creating pathways for students who don’t go to college
    • Importance of collaboration with the business community
    2026 Human Resources Conference
    The episode also features a portion of a conversation into the state’s expanded paid sick leave and FMLA laws with Connecticut Department of Labor attorneys Jennifer Devine and Heidi Lane.
    Headlines You May Have Missed
    • Rising Unemployment, Shrinking Labor Force Cloud Job Gains
    • Ari Santiago Appointed Interim CSCU Chair
    • A New Era for Regulatory Reform?
    The CBIA BizCast is made possible through the generous support of Google. Subscribe to the BizCast wherever you get your podcasts. Please rate the podcast and leave us a review—we appreciate your support! And be sure to give us your feedback and share guests you’d like to hear at [email protected].
    23 min
  • CBIA BizCast: Reflecting on the 2026 Legislative Session
    Connecticut’s 2026 General Assembly session ended with limited progress and key decisions that will drive costs even higher. In this episode of the CBIA BizCast, CBIA vice president of public policy Chris Davis joins host Amanda Marlow to discuss the business community's wins and losses from the session.
    27 min

About CBIA BizCast

From the publisher's feed

A podcast for the business-minded in Connecticut. Interviews consist of business and community leaders who are shaping the future of Connecticut’s economy. The CBIA BizCast provides new content every other week, introduces members of the business community, and tells stories about how businesses are innovating and growing in Connecticut!