After pandemic pause, CT powers up its biz recruiting machine

By Matt Pilon, published in the Hartford Business Journal, December 14, 2020

Recruiting companies to Connecticut with the help of private-sector ambassadors was a key piece of Gov. Ned Lamont’s economic strategy when he took office in 2019.

But the COVID-19 pandemic has presented new and unforeseen challenges to that effort.

Heightened uncertainty about the future has delayed or canceled many companies’ relocation and investment decisions, and traveling to meet with company executives or tour properties has largely been put on hold. Meanwhile, taxpayer-funded manpower normally dedicated to recruiting efforts was diverted during the spring to help respond to the unfolding pandemic.

However, as COVID-19 vaccines start rolling out in a matter of days and Connecticut inches closer to what many hope will be a post-pandemic world, the state’s recruitment and business development machinery has been freshly oiled and is back in service.

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