There is disappointment in the air as the Connecticut Department of Labor recently released revised numbers for 2015 showing significantly less job gains than originally estimated and tepid growth at the start of this year.
“While the numbers demonstrate progress ”” with the private sector growing over 11,000 jobs over the year ”” these numbers are also emblematic of our new economic reality,” said Gov. Dannel P. Malloy following the release of the labor department”™s January Labor Situation report.
The labor department revised 2015 job growth numbers revealing a significant decrease from the estimated 22,600 jobs gained to a revised total of *11,600 jobs.
*Correction: This story has been updated to reflect corrected information.
“The economy still has some challenges with it,” said Connecticut Business & Industry Association economist Pete Gioia, noting 2015 represented the second slowest year for job growth since the recession ended in 2010.
“Yes, we”™re growing but we”™re growing at perhaps a slower pace that we anticipated or hoped for,” he said.
According to the report, the state gained only 900 jobs this January, mostly in the leisure and hospitality industry with 2,000 jobs gained and an additional 900 in other services.
The education and health services sector saw the largest drop with a decrease of 2,300 jobs followed by professional and business services dropping by 1,300.
The trade, transportation, and utilities supersector also decreased by 1,300 jobs.
“This report confirms the need for the state to change it way it does business,” Brian Flaherty, senior vice president of public policy at the CBIA.
“This should be a call to action for lawmakers ”” that without immediate, urgently needed reforms, the state faces an uncertain future.”
