Restaurants are among the small businesses that are struggling. And even though the state hasn’t shut down many sectors this COVID wave, some small businesses are considering whether to close for good.

This hour, we talk with David Lehman, the Commissioner of the state Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD).

How does the state make decisions around its phased reopening rules like deciding which businesses should stay open?

And with a long winter ahead for the hospitality and retail sector, is the state doing enough to support local businesses?

We hear from local business owners, and we want to hear from you, too.

GUESTS:

• David Lehman - Commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD)
• Juliana Pisanzio - Co-owner and operator of La Marea restaurant in Old Saybrook, which she owns with her husband Nino
• Dan Meiser - Founder and owner of the 85th Day Food Community, a restaurant group in Mystic Connecticut; he’s also board chair for the Connecticut Restaurant Association