Lamont: ‘Economy is like a coiled spring’

DANBURY — Gov. Ned Lamont displayed a sunny view of the state’s economic recovery on a Friday morning call with local business leaders.

“I think our economy is like a coiled spring,” said Lamont, adding that more people will frequent businesses as they get vaccinated and COVID-19 cases wane.

Lamont’s virtual event with the Greater Danbury Chamber of Commerce came the day after a report showed sharp increases in the state’s unemployment rate and the number of residents filing initial claims for benefits.

But the state is looking toward April 1, when all residents ages 16 and over will be eligible for the vaccine. Lamont said he expects the “overwhelming majority” of residents to be vaccinated by June or July and painted a rosy picture of what this summer could look like.

He envisioned residents eating outdoors after the state House on Thursday extended the relaxed rules on outdoor dining, as well as the public using free WiFi available in downtowns through a project the state is working on with AT&T.

He expects to announce in coming weeks how the state could further lift restrictions, particularly on large gatherings, so venues and arenas can plan summer events.

“I like to keep moving forward cautiously knowing full well that you, the event planners, are making plans right now for July and you need a little bit of clarity,” Lamont said.

COVID-19 cases are creeping upward in the state, with Connecticut’s positivity rate at 3.88 percent on Thursday. The virus variants are rampant around New York City, and New Jersey’s positivity rate is around 8 percent.

Lamont said he is watching these states closely to avoid opening Connecticut further and then needing to tighten restrictions again.

“I've seen that movie before and I don't want to have to backtrack on you,” he said.

The state and federal government’s efforts to support child care providers will help parents, especially women, get back to work, he said. He expects more loans for small businesses, too.

With some federal COVID-19 relief money, the state is exploring creating free, 16-week certificate programs to help workers learn the skills they need to fill jobs that have stayed empty because people are not trained for them, he said. Lamont said he wants local businesses help to build the curriculum and aims to give participants a license for free child care during the program.

“I’m really interested in getting people back to work,” he said.

He said the state is expecting a “boatload” of vaccines next week, including Johnson & Johnson, which will help meet demand as eligibility expands.