Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development

⚡️Here’s a story that’s pure Connecticut energy: small, scrappy, and splashy. In the award-winning short documentary “Rising Tide to Table,” we catch a glimpse of the passion and creativity necessary to farm world-class oysters and serve them with integrity and flare. From the family-run Stonington Farms Shellfish, raising oysters with kid-in-mud memories and a commitment to perfection, to award-winning chef Emily Mingrone building meaningful connections around the table. These oysters don’t just show up on plates, they carry stories of craft, creativity, and community. They’re proof that Connecticut’s culinary and aquaculture sectors are rising tide-to-table, thriving on dedication, innovation, and a little salty sea breeze. Let’s raise a shell to the unsung heroes of our coastline and invite the world to discover Connecticut’s oyster movement. Watch the full 10-minute story here: https://lnkd.in/eY-bNdub

🦪 Who is ready to nerd out?! Oyster farming in Connecticut isn’t just delicious. It’s smart economics and environmental science at work. Our coastal waters support more than 70,000 acres of shellfish farms, generating millions in economic activity and sustaining local jobs from Greenwich to Stonington IT GETS EVEN COOLER 💦 Oysters are natural water filters: A single oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water a day, helping keep Long Island Sound clean. 🏗️ They build habitat: Oyster reefs create shelter for fish and other marine life, boosting biodiversity. 🌊 They protect our coast: These reefs act as natural storm barriers, helping reduce erosion and support resilient shorelines. By growing our oyster-farming industry, we’re creating jobs, cultivating sustainable seafood, and investing in healthier coastal ecosystems. It’s a tangible example of how economic development and environmental stewardship go hand-in-hand. Hear more directly from our aquaculture farmers ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/eMzPvF_u

Got some questions from the twitterverse on our most recent economic data, so I posted some more detail here. Happy Sunday! https://lnkd.in/e5vqbx97

Incredibly grateful for the State of Connecticut's commitment to the development of a Quantum Technology ecosystem - it's a bold investment in the future of our workforce and economy!

AI isn’t replacing experts, it’s upgrading them. A new report from Yale Daily News shows how Yale University radiologists are using artificial intelligence to catch details faster and more accurately, allowing them to focus on what humans do best: judgment, connection, and care. What’s happening in medicine reflects a broader shift across every industry. From engineering to hospitality, logistics to law, AI is becoming a powerful co-pilot — speeding up workflows, reducing errors, and giving professionals more room for creativity and impact. The takeaway is simple: the future of work isn’t humans vs. machines. It’s humans with machines. When the right tools meet the right talent, progress comes quicker. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/ek9YbSWd

🚨 BIG NEWS - Connecticut just took a quantum leap. A public-private partnership between the state, QuantumCT, Yale University, and University of Connecticutis investing more than $1 billion to make Connecticut a national powerhouse in quantum technology. This unprecedented collaboration brings together industry, government, and academia to build something big: a statewide ecosystem that accelerates research, commercialization, workforce development, and job creation. WE're not just talking about possibility, we're building it. HOW WE’RE DOING IT At the center of the investment is QuantumCT, a new nonprofit hub that will serve as the nucleus of Connecticut’s quantum industry. Think of it as equal parts laboratory, launchpad, and talent super-charger. It will provide shared labs, technical expertise, commercialization resources, and collaborations with leading institutions — including Yale, UConn, companies across Connecticut, and industry leaders nationwide. By connecting entrepreneurs, researchers, manufacturers, and investors in one coordinated network, we’re turning the state into a living testbed for quantum breakthroughs that move from idea → prototype → product → job creation. WHY IT’S IMPORTANT Quantum isn’t sci-fi anymore — it’s the next economic frontier. The states that lead it will shape national competitiveness, security, and economic growth. With this investment, Connecticut isn’t waiting for the future to arrive. We’re engineering it, scaling it, and making sure the next generation of high-tech jobs, companies, and inventions are Made in CT. Read more about the multi-tiered investments⬇️ https://lnkd.in/e_fXWtqC

Everyone wants to “go viral," but as ESPN’s Arda Ocal puts it: the secret sauce isn’t views — it’s consistency. In our latest MADE Conversations episode, Arda drops a truth hotter than a New Haven coal-fired oven: anyone can start creating today. A YouTube channel? Easy. A podcast? Done. They’ll even “let anybody on TV at this point.” So why do so many people burn out? Because they’re chasing millions of views instead of giving their audience value. They want overnight fame instead of authenticity. It's like a sugar rush—feels good for a second and then they crash. But the people who keep showing up, they’re the ones who rise. Whether you’re a creator, a business, or a city trying to tell your story, Arda’s message is true Connecticut: Do the work, stay consistent, and results will follow. Catch the full episode here:  🎧 SPOTIFY: https://lnkd.in/eFtE39p5 📲 YOUTUBE: https://lnkd.in/eGJeASKM If you’ve ever wanted to build something — a brand, a business, a following, a community — this is required viewing. Mike Cerulli | Melissa Sheketoff | WTNH-TV | Connoisseur Media | CBIA | CBIA Foundation | Hartford Business Journal

Another national spotlight for Connecticut pizza. This time it comes from someone who knows great food when he sees it. We partnered with creator Trigg Ferrano (1.7M+ followers) to explore a question we hear everywhere: Why does Connecticut have the best pizza in America? His new feature goes beyond the ovens, ingredients, and technique. It finds something deeper: the people, passion, and purpose that define Connecticut’s pizza culture — from legends like Pepe’s, Sally’s, and Modern to emerging makers, artists, and community leaders shaping what “apizza” means today. This collaboration reflects a deliberate strategy: working with trusted creators whose voices drive discovery, influence search, and elevate Connecticut’s reputation as a great place to live, work, visit — and eat. Trigg’s takeaway says it best: “The best pizza isn't a flavor, it's a feeling. It's the memory of sharing a slice with your friends. It's the pride in creating something new with your own two hands. It's the reminder that feeding others is more important than feeding yourself." Watch the full feature here: https://lnkd.in/dSBE7-gG