Three of the six Connecticut Labor Market Areas posted employment gains in July, including Danbury.  The state Department of Labor reports that three regions saw small declines. The Danbury area was the biggest percentage gainer, adding 900 jobs, increasing the workforce 1.2 percent from last month. The Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk area added 2,000 positions to lead this month in numerical gains. The New Haven area also added jobs. The labor force is smaller than it was pre-pandemic due to a wide variety of issues, according to the state Labor Department, including retirements, daycare issues making it difficult for women to re-engage in the job market; and people creating start-ups and new businesses instead of returning to the workforce as employees.