Governor Rell: Connecticut Manufacturers

to Benefit from $1.2 Million in Assistance

Aid Includes $950,000 in State Funds,

$340,000 from Federal Grant

            Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that a public-private partnership that provides valuable support services to Connecticut manufacturers has been awarded $1.2 million in state and federal aid.

            Governor Rell said the Connecticut State Technology Extension Program (CONNSTEP Inc.) has helped the state’s manufacturing sector create hundreds of new jobs and increase sales in the past year.

            “Connecticut manufacturers need our support now more than ever during these difficult economic times,” Governor Rell said. “This assistance will go a long way in supporting the important work CONNSTEP is doing to help make sure our manufacturers stay cutting-edge and competitive in the national and international markets.”

            The $342,496 federal grant is from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and is for the period October 1, 2008, to January 31, 2009. CONNSTEP receives approximately $1 million a year from the NIST program and the latest grant is part of a $1.03 million allocation for fiscal year 2009. The state Department of Economic and Community Development recently approved $950,000 in state funds for CONNSTEP.

            Based in Rocky Hill, CONNSTEP is Connecticut's Manufacturing Extension Partnership under the NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership program. Through this nationwide network, CONNSTEP is in a unique position to help Connecticut's manufacturers gain access to invaluable resources that might otherwise have gone unknown or unutilized.

            In the last fiscal year (July 1, 2007, to June 30, 2008), CONNSTEP has had the following impact:

• 349 jobs created or retained
• $242 million in sales
• $8.7 million in company cost reductions
• $22 million in company reinvestment 

            “This is a great investment because CONNSTEP is making a real difference in the bottom line for Connecticut manufacturers,” Governor Rell said. “It is a public-private partnership that is getting results.”

            CONNSTEP receives funding from NIST with a two-thirds match from the state, other regional partners and revenue from fees paid by manufacturers for the services they receive.

            With support from DECD, CONNSTEP gives clients access to services often otherwise only available to larger manufacturers. This investment partnership allows CONNSTEP to coordinate broader manufacturing initiatives, track impacts of services provided and form long-term strategies on behalf of client companies.

            For more information: www.connstep.org.