Daniel O’Keefe
dokeefect.bsky.social
Daniel O’Keefe
@dokeefect.bsky.social
Commissioner of Economic Development and Chief Innovation Officer, State of CT
Latest population data is out and CT continues to growth. This wasn't just a post-pandemic trend - we kept growing for the last now 6 years. More here:
Latest Population Data
Analysis of the most recent Census Bureau data The Census Bureau released its most recent population estimates yesterday, and the data tells a story that contradicts the prevailing narrative about American migration. Connecticut added nearly 109,000 residents over the past five years—continuing a growth trajectory that began in
www.myristica.org
January 28, 2026 at 9:31 PM
It was once said that Connecticut was the land of steady habits. I am sitting here enjoying our economy (4th fastest in the country), population (6th straight years of growth), UConn mens basketball at 20-1 and womens at 21-0.

The only steady habit in Connecticut is FREAKING WINNING.
January 28, 2026 at 8:20 PM
An internet troll took issue with my fun fact that the 3 fastest states are MA, NY and CT. So I'm publishing that data, as well as my new friend's comments and well wishes. I hope you'll spread the word widely! (the data, not the vitriol).

www.myristica.org/top-states-i...
January 25, 2026 at 6:20 PM
The enduring strength of our American experiment has always been our ability to resolve conflict through law, not violence; through debate, not division. This is a moment to de-escalate, protect public safety, and remember what binds us together as Americans.
January 24, 2026 at 11:39 PM
Fun fact: the 3 fastest growing economies in the US YTD are.. wait for it.. Massachusetts, New York, and Connecticut.
January 23, 2026 at 5:29 PM
Just posted some detail behind q3 25 gdp results, published this morning. In short, very strong expansion in q3 which contributes to what was already shaping up to be a strong year. LFG!

www.myristica.org/q3-2025-gdp-...
Q3 2025 GDP Results
Another strong quarter for Connecticut, growing the 4th fastest in the country. 5.6% growth which is the fastest in New England and faster than the US overall at 4.4%. This is on the heals of our q2 where we grew 9th fastest in the country. Our economy grew
www.myristica.org
January 23, 2026 at 5:17 PM
Kicking off the year with AdvanceCT - discussing the opportunities (AI, quantum) and challenges (energy, housing) in front of us. Excited about the year ahead. LFG!
January 23, 2026 at 2:26 PM
Not endorsing any product or life risking activity BUT - pretty incredible… gopro best of 2025.

youtu.be/lqvH1bs8mJc
December 29, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Kudos, ChatGPT. Pretty spot on.
December 25, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Thanks to Dennis House for having me on this morning to discuss 2025 economic trends, and our plans at the DECD for 2026 and beyond. It was also nice to meet my future boss, the new kid Governor of CT!
www.wtnh.com
December 21, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Brown University is a very special place for me. A place that changed the trajectory of my life in fundamental ways. I posted some very personal reflections here.

www.linkedin.com/posts/dokeef...
I am not a religious man. I did try, particularly when the girls were young, because I know how important a sense of community and higher purpose is. But I...
I am not a religious man. I did try, particularly when the girls were young, because I know how important a sense of community and higher purpose is. But I never felt like it quite worked for me personally. Yesterday, I realized the closest thing I have ever had to hallowed grounds sit in Providence, Rhode Island. My connection to Brown is so deeply personal because it was there that i felt my life change. Sensed a purpose. A motivation to grow, to be something I could not yet see. I felt safe there. My life back home was chaotic, but Brown was a space where I could explore without judgement. To experiment and fail but try again. I learned to stand up after falling down. To become a man and to become a humble leader. Yesterday’s events broke me. I am just so fundamentally heartbroken. Devastated that this world...
www.linkedin.com
December 15, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Congratulations to our own Attorney General William Tong, elected as President of the National Association of Attorneys General. Proud to call him a friend for almost 35 years (we first met when we were 15).
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong Elected as President of National Association of Attorneys General - National Association of Attorneys General
The National Association of Attorneys General elected Connecticut Attorney General William Tong as president of the association during its annual Capital Forum meeting held December 8-10.
www.naag.org
December 13, 2025 at 9:42 PM
If you are looking to round out your shopping list, the new CT merch store is open! Great work by our statewide marketing team in putting this together.

www.merchct.com
December 11, 2025 at 3:12 PM
The next quantum revolution will be led from Connecticut because this is what Connecticut does. We have a long and recognized history in Quantum, including the Quantum Institute at Yale whose founder just won the nobel prize for his work in Quantum.

www.myristica.org/quantumct/
November 25, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Got some questions from the twitterverse on our most recent economic data, so I posted some more detail here. Happy Sunday!
Daniel O’Keefe
Personal site of Daniel O'Keefe, Commissioner of Economic Development of Connecticut.
www.dokeefect.com
November 23, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Quick reminder that I periodically publish my thoughts on my website and newsletter. Vast majority is about the CT economy and our work, with occassional random musings. If you're interested, you can sign up at dokeefect.com.
Daniel O’Keefe
dokeefect.com
November 22, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Thanks to the Hartford Business Journal for the discussion with the NE-ISO on the future of energy in CT. For those unfamiliar, the ISO is our regional grid operator, whose mission is to deliver "competitively priced" electricity. Our prices are 140% higher than the rest of the US. They have failed.
November 13, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Connecticut stands as testament that the rational center still matters. That we can defend progressive values while managing our financial affairs prudently. Excited for the progress we've made but even more energized about the path ahead.

www.courant.com/2025/11/07/l...
Ned Lamont to run for third term as governor. It’s been won once in 200 years
After months of delays, Gov. Ned Lamont will be running for a third term as his popularity ratings remain solid. Lamont will be filing the necessary paperwork to launch the campaign and will make a…
www.courant.com
November 7, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Big day today. Stay tuned…
November 7, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Commissioners’ Retreat to discuss the opportunities and challenges ahead and our core priorities: access to opportunity, affordability, and accountability. Time to turn this thing up to 11!
November 6, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Good luck to all those running the New York marathon today, but especially Connecticut's own Ali Truwit. Her story serves as a testament to grit, endurance, and most of all resilience and recovery.
Shark attack survivor describes journey to becoming Paralympic medalist
In May 2023, Ali Truwit ran her first marathon and graduated from Yale University. Just days later, while celebrating her graduation in Turks and Caicos, she was bitten by a shark and lost her foot and part of her leg. Truwit has since competed in the Paris summer Paralympic Games, winning two silver medals. She is running her first marathon since the attack. She joins "CBS Mornings Plus" to talk about her recovery journey.
www.cbsnews.com
November 2, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Today was Halloween Day at the DECD, and instead of 1 there were 6 Dan O’Keefe’s! The skit was that I had been cloned so I could be in 6 different places at once to call sites dystopian hellscapes. Clearly I am becoming predictable.

Love this incredible team.
October 29, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Excited to announce the next round of recipients of the Strategic Supply Chains. As a reminder this program was created in January in the face of expected rising tariffs, and I'm excited to see these companies expand production capacity in Connecticut. portal.ct.gov/decd/press-room
October 28, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Love turning some dirt! Celebrating Amazon’s latest expansion in CT. 3.2m square feet. Their 7th next generation logistics facility in the state. And another 1000 jobs making them the 2nd largest employer in CT.
October 21, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Met with economic development leads from across the country last week, hosted in NYC by the State of NY. This is an annual gathering of the State Economic Development Executives (SEDE) network. Oh and if you zoom in you'll see I was sporting a UConn ring. Gotta remind all that I hail from trophy tow
October 20, 2025 at 4:33 PM