CBIA BizCast

On this episode of the CBIA BizCast, host Amanda Marlow sits down with CBIA Foundation director Dustin Nord to break down the newly released employment report. Nord shares his insights into manufacturing’s growth, Connecticut’s labor-force shortages, workforce development, and the economic risks businesses should watch. Also in this episode, we share highlights from the foundation’s 2026 Manufactu...

On this episode of the CBIA BizCast, we take you inside the important discussions that took place during the CBIA Foundation’s Oct. 1 Made in Connecticut: 2026 Manufacturing Summit. The summit brought together 550 business leaders and public officials for important conversations about what Connecticut manufacturers are doing today and what they’re working on to build a stronger tomorrow. The episo...

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...

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 Mohamm...

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 eac...

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...

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. DiPen...

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 20...

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 fo...

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...

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 Administr...

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.

As Connecticut’s 2026 legislative session enters its final days, lawmakers are debating several major bills with far‑reaching implications for employers. In this episode of the CBIA BizCast, CBIA senior policy director Paul Amarone joins host Amanda Marlow to break down HB 5003, a sweeping workforce bill. The conversation explores what the massive, 120-page bill—which now awaits action in the Sena...

Health care affordability, Connecticut’s economy, and workforce development are front and center on this episode of CBIA BizCast. CBIA Policy Director Grace Brangwynne joins host Amanda Marlow to discuss the defeat of legislation allowing small businesses to form association health plans. Association Health Plans allow small businesses to come together, pool their risk, and purchase affordable, hi...

Connecticut lawmakers continue to grapple with affordability challenges facing small businesses—and energy costs are a major focus this legislative session. In this episode of the CBIA BizCast, host Amanda Marlow highlights proposed legislation aimed at reducing energy costs, along with key business and policy developments from across the state. Small business owners, lawmakers, and business organ...

In this episode of the CBIA BizCast, we bring you a portion of the March 18 conversation between Senate President Martin Looney (D-New Haven), Senate Minority Leader Stephen Harding (R-Brookfield), House Speaker Matt Ritter (D-Hartford), and House Minority Leader Vincent Candelora (R-North Branford) at Connecticut Business Day 2026. The legislative leaders talked with Crown Castle’s Meg Glander to...

In this episode of the CBIA BizCast, Amanda Marlow sits down with CBIA Foundation director Dustin Nord to break down major recent developments surrounding the Trump Administration’s sweeping global tariffs. In late February, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act were unconstitutional. While the ruling was welcomed by many busin...

In this episode of the CBIA BizCast, Amanda Marlow sits down with CBIA policy chief Chris Davis to break down the start of the 2026 General Assembly Session, Gov. Ned Lamont’s State of the State address, key legislative proposals, and what business leaders—especially small businesses—should be watching closely in the weeks ahead. The episode also features highlights from a conversation between Dav...

The CBIA BizCast is entering its next chapter—bringing Connecticut’s business community closer to the conversations that matter most. The relaunched BizCast continues its tradition of sitting down with business and community leaders from across the state. At the same time, the podcast will expanding its focus to go deeper into the issues, opportunities, and challenges businesses face every day. Th...

2026 is an important year for the Greater Hartford Gives Foundation. After celebrating its centennial anniversary in 2025, the former Hartford Foundation for Public Giving kicked off the year with a major rebranding and plans for a new headquarters in Hartford’s North End. Foundation president and CEO Jay Williams joined the CBIA BizCast to highlight the nonprofit’s mission and new chapter. “We wa...

Continuous improvement is a principle that’s shaped HABCO Industries president and CEO Brian Montanari’s career—one that spans driving forklifts to leading an aerospace company. Today, as CBIA’s recently elected board chair, he applies that principle to strengthen Connecticut’s business community. “I definitely have a lot of passion for Connecticut—for making Connecticut a better place for my empl...

Over the course of 2025, some of Connecticut’s remarkable business leaders joined the CBIA BizCast. These leaders have built successful teams, overcome challenges, and helped build a better Connecticut. They shared their stories of entrepreneurship and innovation, resilience and success. To close out 2025, we wanted to look back on some of their stories and words of wisdom. This episode features i...

The Girl Scouts have always held a special place in Elicia Pegues Spearman’s life. “My mother was a Girl Scout Brownie when she was growing up,” Pegues Spearman told the CBIA BizCast. “I was a Brownie here in Connecticut, and my daughter was a Girl Scout, and I was a coach, troop leader.” Despite that history, Pegues Spearman never imagined leading Girl Scouts of Connecticut. “I’ve enjoyed my care...

If you ask Omar Coffee CEO Nicolas Bokron how to run a successful, fourth-generation business, he’ll tell you about the core values posted on the walls around his company. “Trust, not tricks” is one of them. “Generally, the coffee business is about on-going relationships, so it’s very important to take care of issues and make them right,” Bokron said. “People need to trust and rely on you.” Bokron...

The CBIA BizCast is turning the tables a little. In June, Fairfield Woods Middle School Arav Kapoor was the runner-up in the National Civics Bee Connecticut State Finals, narrowly edged out by Tomlinson Middle School's Aarav Pradeep Sahu. The annual competition aims to improve civics education and literacy among middle school students, their families, and communities. The CBIA Foundation hosts the...