By Matt Kiernan
CCSU adjunct political science professor Ned Lamont’s lecture Thursday focused on entrepreneurship and how it can contribute to Connecticut’s job market and economy.
“There’s nothing better than starting a small business or working on a small business,” said Lamont to an audience of faculty, students and members of the New Britain community in the Marcus White Living Room.
Lamont recalled the ingenuity of Eli Whitney, who lived in the state and invented the cotton gin. Lamont says Whitney modernized manufacturing and sees no reason why such progress can’t be recreated in today’s economy.
“You have to ask, ‘what happened? Why we are slipping?” said Lamont.
What is required of the state, according to Lamont, is bringing in more jobs and make it appealing for college graduates to remain in Connecticut. If there is an attractive job market, students will be less likely to move into states such as New York and Massachusetts.
“If we don’t get our act together, we’re going to be in a recession a lot longer,” said Lamont.
Lamont believes that Connecticut hasn’t been making smart, long-term investments that will improve itself. He praised President Barack Obama for his “political entrepreneurship,” which he cited the president’s stance on energy and healthcare.
“He is making long-term investments that can make great advances for this country,” said Lamont.
Lamont recalled bringing his son recently to the Department of Motor Vehicles and observed that the procedures are incredibly inconvenient, given the amount of people crowded in the building. He wondered why it wasn’t possible for people to accomplish DMV transactions online, which could be facilitated by technology.
He said that technology is the key to creating more jobs and that although some jobs may be lost in an area due to a rise in technology, a greater number of jobs would be created in another.
Public transportation is a possibility for bringing in more money into the state. The idea of creating a train line to run from Springfield, Mass. to New Haven would provide added revenue to the state and lower costs for travelers.
Making investments in higher education is another important step to improving Connecticut’s economy, according to Lamont. More accessible education means a smarter and skilled workforce.
“They’ve got to be able to think and create and that’s the most important thing,” said Lamont.
