Hartford Business Journal

www.HartfordBusiness.com • March 23, 2020 • Hartford Business Journal 13 Some say that the coronavirus, which is disrupting manufacturers and their supply chains, could actu- ally strengthen the need to support the industry. One of the key priorities for manufacturers is to preserve the Manufacturing Innovation Fund, which was established in 2014 by then Gov. Dannel P. Malloy. The $75-million fund has invested in programs and projects aimed at growing innovation and upskilling workers in Connecticut's advanced manufacturing sector. It funds three programs industry officials see as key: the Manufactur- ing Voucher Program, Incumbent Worker Training Program and Ap- prenticeship Program. All MIF funds have been spent or allocated, said Brown, who is also a fund board member. But the Con- necticut Manufacturing Collabora- tive (CMC), a collective of Connecti- cut's seven largest manufacturing trade groups, had been working on a bill with the legislature's Manufac- turing Caucus that would allocate bond funding to replenish the innova- tion fund, said state Rep. Caroline Simmons (D-Stamford), a Manufac- turing Caucus member and co-chair of the Commerce Committee. If the session resumes, Simmons said responding to the virus will likely top the legislature's priorities, and protecting the manufacturing sector should be part of that. "Now with everything that's going on with the coronavirus, we need to make sure we're doing everything we can to make sure businesses, es- pecially manufacturing businesses, have the resources to protect their workers," Simmons said. Ensuring access to capital, loan forgiveness and other measures, espe- cially for small manufacturers, should be part of the legislature's response to the pandemic, Simmons said. Other bills Other pro-industry bills up for consideration include a proposal that would require the state Department of Economic and Community Develop- ment to conduct a study of manufac- turer needs. Another would allow companies to use research and development tax credits to pay for workforce develop- ment training efforts. Simmons said Gov. Ned Lamont's appointment of Colin Cooper as the state's inaugural chief manufac- turing officer has played a role in legislators' interest in policies that benefit the manufacturing industry. "Colin Cooper already in his short time in the position has done a fantastic job of bringing together all of the manufacturing leagues across the state and meeting with every- one," Simmons said. "We're working closely with him on representing their interests, on restoring funding for these programs that manufactur- ers have said are invaluable to them." And as the economic situation in the state could grow darker, Sim- mons says supporting manufactur- ing will be key to the recovery. "It's going to be so important that we do everything we can to support our small businesses, and small manufacturers with financial assistance," Simmons said. FOCUS: MANUFACTURING © 2011 BlueScope Buildings North America, Inc. All rights reserved. Butler Manufacturing™ is a division of BlueScope Buildings North America, Inc. 2155 East Main Street • Torrington, Connecticut 06790 Napoli Retail, Southington, CT | 2016 | 7,300 sq. ft. Napoli Foods Corporate Offices & Refrigerated/ Freezer Warehouse/Distribution Center, Cheshire, CT | 2008 | 215,000 sq. ft. Quality Construction + Butler Manufacturing = Repeat Customers www.borghesibuilding.com Contact us at 860-482-7613 or visit us on the web. Key manufacturing programs Lawmakers this session have been considering bills that would extend funding for these manufacturing-assistance programs: Incumbent Worker Training Program Provides manufacturers financial assistance to train employees on new technologies and emerging-market needs. It offers up to $50,000 per employer, per calendar year. Manufacturing Voucher Program Provides Connecticut manufacturers with 300 or fewer employees matching grants of up to $50,000 for investments in innovation or new technologies. Apprenticeship programs The state supports various apprenticeship pro- grams including Apprenticeship Connecticut, a grant program overseen by the state Department of Labor that allocates funds for skills-training programs developed by regional workforce- development boards. It was started with $50 million in state funds, of which about $15 million has been spent. Looking to create a custom publication? Let us take care of it for you. Whether it's the celebration of a major anniversary or the opening of a new headquarters, Hartford Business Journal's Custom Publishing Division can help you create a custom magazine for your business. Our division's top fl ight team of writers and designers can help you tell your story – and make your business look great! BASED ON OUR UNIQUE PUBLISHING MODEL, IT'S SURPRISINGLY AFFORDABLE. SURPRISINGLY AFFORDABLE. CONTACT US TODAY! ADVERTISING@ HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM WWW.HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM/ INFO/CUSTOM-PUBLISHING 860.236.9998

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