Alexandra Daum, Gov. Ned Lamont’s nominee to lead the Department of Economic and Community Development, told lawmakers at her confirmation hearing last Thursday that growth will be her top priority — a now-familiar refrain from the governor’s office. The threat of a recession looms this year, as the Federal Reserve continues to raise interest rates in an effort to tamp down on inflation, and companies have begun downsizing. Lawmakers asked the incoming economic development commissioner how she plans to respond to the trend in corporate retrenchment. The state government has thousands of open jobs to fill, and Connecticut’s school districts and health care providers are facing staff shortages. New federally funded infrastructure and broadband projects will have thousands of openings in the coming years. And new investment in the semiconductor industry is driving demand for specialized technology workers. The committee unanimously approved Daum’s nomination, which now heads to the state Senate for final consideration.
