The Greater Danbury Chamber of Commerce has hosted a virtual economic forecast presentation featuring a noted economist.  Donald Klepper-Smith told those on the Zoom meeting that the Danbury area is leading the recovery from the COVID-19 recession.  The Danbury Labor Market area has the strongest job growth in the state.  He predicted that unemployment will continue to drop, and employment will continue to grow by 200 jobs each month.  The market includes Bethel, Brookfield, Bridgewater, New Fairfield, New Milford, Newtown, and Sherman.  At the height of the pandemic the Danbury area was down 17,000 jobs, but has gained 10,000 since last April. Danbury has a 6.6 percent unemployment rate.  The state is at 7.6 percent while the national unemployment rate is 5.7 percent.