Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1415957
34 HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | OCTOBER 4, 2021 Opinion & Commentary A s Connecticut's slow economic recovery from the pandemic- induced recession continues, many people will be keeping a close eye on the September jobs numbers when they are published later this month by the state Department of Labor (DOL). So far, Connecticut's recovery has trailed the rest of the nation and both state and private sector officials have raised concerns about a labor shortage. Gov. Ned Lamont recently said there are 71,000 open positions in the state and over 90,000 residents sitting on the sidelines. The causes of the labor shortage have been hotly debated but many people have said extended federal unemployment benefits and lack of child care during the pandemic have been contributors. I agree both have played a role in stalling our economic recovery but last month those extra unemployment benefits expired and most Connecticut children returned to the classroom, which should send more people back to the workforce. That's left some people to speculate Connecticut will see potential significant job growth in September; the numbers could be an important indicator of where the state's economic recovery goes from here. For a bit of perspective, in Sept. 2020 Connecticut gained a whopping 19,700 jobs as the state was still relatively fresh off that spring's economic shutdown. That was the biggest jobs gain in September since the state added 20,000 jobs in Sept. 1983, according to DOL data. If you look back at historical jobs numbers for September, there are no clear trend lines on where things may be headed. The state has experienced both big gains CT's economic 'comeback' still in early stages EDITOR'S TAKE Year Historical September job gains and losses in CT Source: Dept. of Labor Job gain or loss and losses during the month over the last four decades, depending on the business cycle. The average September jobs gain from 1982 to 2020 was 1,033, according to my analysis of DOL data. Plus, this current business cycle is unlike any other, since the country