Connecticut manufacturing office credits coordinated programs for recent job and GDP gains

Paul Lavoie, Connecticut’s chief manufacturing officer, told the Commerce Committee and the Manufacturing Caucus that the Office of Manufacturing has used a mix of workforce initiatives, business supports and innovation programs to stabilize and grow the state’s manufacturing sector.

Lavoie said the office’s three strategic pillars are “to develop talent, build sustainable companies, and drive innovation.” He told lawmakers the state has invested through the Manufacturing Innovation Fund and related efforts and credited those programs with recent employment and output gains in the sector. “Since February of 2022, we’ve added 38,100 jobs to the manufacturing sector, and we’ve added over $2,000,000,000 in GDP growth in the manufacturing sector over the last two years,” Lavoie said.

The nut graf: Lavoie’s presentation framed the Office of Manufacturing as a coordination hub that connects education, business and state agencies to address persistent hiring gaps, energy costs and supply‑chain pressures. He described a suite of K–16 and higher‑ed programs, employer partnerships and targeted grants intended to keep manufacturing jobs and new investment in Connecticut.

Lavoie outlined workforce programs that aim to change perceptions of manufacturing careers and expand student access to STEM and robotics. The office has funded robotics programs (First Robotics and VEX) and said it added 50 new programs in Alliance Districts to broaden participation. Lavoie described “career roadshows” that exposed more than 7,500 students to manufacturing employers and said the office funds apprenticeship incentives and faculty fellowships to update university curricula toward Industry 4.0 needs.

On business supports, Lavoie pointed to the Manufacturing Innovation Fund (MIF) and the Connex platform as ways to match suppliers and buyers and to offer capital and technical support for small‑ and medium‑sized manufacturers. He said Connecticut has invested roughly $135,000,000 through the MIF over the past decade and called the fund “recurring capital that we use to invest in the manufacturing sector.”

Energy and productivity were another focus. Lavoie said a priority is lowering industrial energy consumption and that the office is coordinating with the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and utilities to identify efficiency programs. He referenced a federal grant for “smart manufacturing techniques” and said the state expects a significant federal program with a $500,000 state match to help reduce industrial consumption.

Lavoie described innovation efforts in four areas — digital transformation, additive manufacturing, robotics/automation and artificial intelligence — and noted ongoing partnerships with the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology and other organizations to increase adoption. He also described the office’s convening role: monthly collaboration meetings with CBIA, ReadyCT, ConStep, CCAT and the Office of Workforce Strategy and a manufacturing cabinet to coordinate statewide activity.

Lavoie closed by highlighting outreach programs and an ambassador network he said now counts more than 833 members who promote manufacturing careers and serve as volunteer advocates.

Ending: Lawmakers thanked Lavoie and asked for follow‑up materials, including a summary of casework and any process issues the office identifies when manufacturers need help navigating permits and state services. Lavoie said an ombudsman in DECD supports administration of those cases and that he would work with the commissioner to summarize that work for the General Assembly.