The history of Connecticut industry is a major part of the history of this small-in-size state.
"Connecticut had more patents issued per capita than any other state, between the birth of the U.S. patent system in 1790 and 1930, reports Wikipedia and reference sites. "In the 1800s, when the U.S. as a whole was issued one patent per 3,000 population, Connecticut inventors were issued one patent for every 700 to 1,000 residents."
Would $2 million help Connecticut small manufacturers create and retain jobs? That amount is expected to be approved by the State Bond Commission at its meeting on Jan. 30.
The $2 million is included in the Governor’s $525 million Connecticut Stimulus Package that is part of the Jan. 30 State Bond Commission agenda.
If approved, the money means Department of Economic and Community Development loans and grants of up to $200,000 to manufacturers through the Governor’s Small Manufacturers Competitiveness Fund. The loans can be used for plant expansion, machinery and equipment purchases, relocation, technical support and financial assistance.
Recent rounds of manufacturing loans mean DECD helps companies leverage more than $5 million in private investment and retain and created more than 300 jobs. According to DECD, five more businesses are currently in line for funding, which will help create and retain approximately 200 more jobs.
The more than 5,000 manufacturers in Connecticut employ 190,000 people and account for about 12 percent of the gross state product. Manufacturing also accounts for nearly 83 percent of Connecticut exports, one of the strongest and growing economic sectors of the state.
The Connecticut Manufacturing Coalition is a working group of organizations including the Manufacturing Alliance of
Connecticut (MAC), Smaller Manufacturers Association of CT (SMA), New Haven Manufacturers Association (NHMA),
Connecticut Association of Metal Finishers (CAMF), Connecticut Tooling & Machining Association (CTMA) and CONNSTEP,
formed to better serve the needs of the Connecticut manufacturing community. Through joint resources, the coalition works to
provide educational and networking opportunities and speak with one voice on legislative matters.
