State lawmakers are hoping to approve a trade commission with Puerto Rico.

Connecticut has the largest percentage of Puerto Ricans in the nation, accounting for over 8% of our population. Lawmakers say Puerto Rico could be considered a ninth county in Connecticut – so why not create a direct line of trade between the island and the nutmeg state?

Bridgeport State Rep Chris Rosario joined other state lawmakers on Avelo's first flight from New Haven to Puerto Rico in November 2023.

"We were looking ahead and one of my colleagues from Puerto Rico, Representative Eddie Charbonier for the first district of San Juan, said, ‘We should do something to work together,’" said Rosario.

And later House bill 5008 was born. It would establish a 23-member Connecticut-Puerto Rico Trade Commission to advance bilateral trade and investment.

"This is a good thing because it's going to create jobs. It’s going to create economic upward mobility," said Rosario.

That includes initiating joint action on policy issues, promoting business and academic exchanges and encouraging support and infrastructure investment. Rosario says several small and large Connecticut companies already have commercial relationships with Puerto Rico, resulting in several millions of dollars of investment back to the state.

"Companies like Unilever, Henkle, World Wrestling Entertainment," said Rosario.

Rosario says other states like New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts are also interested in this Connecticut legislation.

The bill still must pass the state Senate. Rosario says Gov. Ned Lamont is excited about it. His mother was born in Puerto Rico.