Across the 5th District, I’ve heard from business owners, educators, young people and parents that we need to redouble our efforts on middle-class job creation. Too many young people do not see Connecticut as a place of opportunity and our businesses are looking for skilled workers to help their companies to grow and thrive.  Then there are those who are struggling to find a job or just hang onto the one they have.  
 
We need to set a thoughtful course to long-term job growth and rebuilding a robust middle class in the 5th District, in Connecticut and across our country.

American workers can and do compete with the best in the world – but they need the benefit of a level playing field.  That means closing tax loopholes that reward companies who ship our jobs oversees and it means enforcing our trades laws.

Here at home, we need to reward innovation and ensure businesses in our community have the support they need to grow and compete. We must invest in research and development in the clean energy sector to create good jobs in technology, manufacturing and construction. We must help our small business thrive, innovate and hire by providing access to capital, reducing unnecessary red tape, and making sure small business taxes are fair and encourage growth. We must also ensure our workers have the skills those businesses need to compete by focusing on vocational training in high school, coupled with apprenticeships and 1 or 2 years of post high school education.

Finally, we must make strategic investments in long-term growth - infrastructure, energy and education.  For our economy to recover, we must be willing to invest in that recovery.

I look forward to hearing from you.

See also information on Jobs and resources for Businesses.

                                       Rep. Esty Visits Ward Leonard Electric Company in Thomaston