Candelora Says Agriculture-Focused Employees Should Urge State Lawmakers to Pass Pro-Growth Policies

SOUTHINGTON—The economic power of the state's "Green Industry" was on full display Monday as Deputy House Republican Leader Vincent Candelora addressed members of the Connecticut Nursery and Landscape Association (CNLA) during its Winter Symposium and Expo. The nursery and landscape, and greenhouse and floriculture businesses, dubbed the "Green Industry," employ 43,000 people in Connecticut. Hundreds of them were at the event held at the Aqua Turf Club, where Candelora talked about the need for members of the General Assembly to adopt pro-business policies. “Small businesses are the engines of growth in Connecticut, and they should speak up about the need for policies that will encourage job creation and economic growth,” said Candelora, state representative for the 86th House District. CNLA is the state trade association that represents Connecticut's nurseries, garden centers, landscapers, nursery and perennial growers, and landscape designers. Candelora is among the legislature's most vocal lawmakers in the critical conversation about turning around Connecticut's struggling economy. He's worked to articulate the concerns of small business owners and entrepreneurs who say the legislature's penchant for more taxes, fees and red tape is blocking their ability to grow, reinvest and thrive here. According to CNLA, the "Green Industry" accounts for $4.7 billion in annual economic activity. The sector pays more than $260 million a year in state and local taxes, the association said. The 2020 legislative session convenes Feb. 5. Pictured above: Rep. Vincent Candelora at the CNLA symposium with members of the Christensen Landscaping Services team, a Northford-based company in business for more than 25 years.