Joan Hartley

Sen. Hartley Welcomes Investment in State’s Manufacturers and Manufacturing Training Programs

State Senator Joan Hartley (D-Waterbury, Middlebury and Naugatuck), co-chair of the Connecticut General Assembly’s Manufacturing Caucus, welcomed the $13 million investment approved by the State Bond Commission for Connecticut’s Manufacturing Innovation Fund and the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) Advance Manufacturing program’s efforts. This substantial investment will encourage growth in the state’s advanced manufacturing sector, while supporting related workforce training and educational programs.

“Thank you to Governor Lamont and the State Bond Commission for their continued support for Connecticut’s manufacturers,” said Sen. Hartley. “Connecticut is a state of creators and innovators. Our fast-growing manufacturing sector is an integral part of the state’s economy and it has many good-paying jobs ready to be filled by Connecticut’s workforce. I’m happy the state is furthering its commitment to training programs that will prepare residents to enter these life-long careers.”

The State Bond Commission approved $10 million for the Manufacturing Innovation Fund (MIF) to finance grants and loans. The MIF supports numerous initiatives including:

• Encouraging collaboration between businesses and institutions of higher education for research and development efforts
• Job training and educational programs to build up workforce skills
• Providing matching funds to federal grants
• Allocating vouchers to support business development and technical needs

In further support for the needs of the state’s manufacturing sector, the CSCU system was approved to receive $3 million to support the Advance Manufacturing program in acquiring new equipment.