CBIA BizCast Connecticut Business & Industry Association

Marcum LLP's Hartford office managing partner Michael Brooder joins the CBIA BizCast to break down the 2023 Survey of Connecticut Businesses.

The survey highlights some of the top concerns for businesses, including workforce and the costs of living and doing business in the state.

“These days? It’s labor, labor, labor, and costs,” said Brooder.

“If you look at the open jobs and the availability of people that are there to fill them, it's just that they're not there.

“Let's figure out how to grow, and let's figure out how to be competitive, and let's figure out how to make Connecticut a place where people want to do business.”

As students across Connecticut begin the new school year, some are returning to class after a summer filled with learning.

More than 70 students recently completed ReadyCT’s G.R.I.T. (Get Ready! Immersive Traineeship) summer program.

The CBIA BizCast team traveled to Pathways Academy of Technology and Design Aug. 9 for the annual G.R.I.T. showcase.

“It really just allows them a way to learn more skills while still practicing a real business project," said Rachel Bader, Travelers assistant vice president, multi-national and chair of the Insurance and Finance Pathway at Weaver.

"G.R.I.T. and Travelers have taught me how to communicate and work with others and step outside my comfort zone,” said Darren Burdette, a rising junior at Weaver.

After 40 years in business, Seymour-based Microboard has become known for two things: producing high-quality, high-tech circuit board assemblies and humanitarian missions helping people around the world.

“There's not enough hours in my day to run this and listen to all that good news,” said Microboard CEO and president Nicole Russo.

“You know, I just try to fit it all in.”

The Hartford Athletic started playing in the United Soccer League in 2019.

Chairman Bruce Mandell started the club with his partners as a way to create something for the community and help the city economically.

“I've always been involved in the community, and I wanted to do something really big for Hartford and wanted to bring people together and have a spot in Hartford to do that,” Mandell said.

“Whether it's, you know, parents with their kids, or whether it's soccer fans, or whether it's people coming out to have a great time, we got to get our niche, and our fans have been unbelievable.”

In 2020, the Athletic established the Green and Blue Foundation, raising money to give back to the community in different ways.

“You know, that feels good to kind of utilize the Hartford athletic brand to support these community elements that really need help,” Mandell said.

Starting a business and launching a new product can be a daunting prospect.

From creating a prototype to connecting with manufacturers and suppliers, there is a lot for entrepreneurs and startups to navigate.

That’s where FORGE Connecticut comes in.

FORGE helps connect innovators with product development assistance, regional manufacturers, and supply chain resources.

“There’s a lot of great innovation coming out of Connecticut,” said vice president Adam Rodrigues.

“There’s over 4000 manufacturers in Connecticut. So if we can facilitate these connections that’s really the work we’re trying to do here.”

Brian Zelman took what he calls a “circuitous” path in real estate.

“I’ve always been interested in real estate from a young age,” said Zelman, principal of Zelman Real Estate on the CBIA BizCast.

The Bloomfield native, who now lives in West Hartford, began his career as a residential broker, before migrating to commercial real estate and land development.

Those developments started in the retail and healthcare spaces, but migrated to multifamily housing.