Governor Lamont Announces Connecticut Awarded $1.4 Million for Pilot Program To Strengthen Defense Manufacturing Supply Chains

CT.gov, September 23, 2020

Governor Ned Lamont today announced that a Connecticut consortium, led by the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD), has been awarded a $1.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense’s Office of Economic Adjustment that will fund the Digital Model Initiative, a two-year pilot program to accelerate the adoption of 3-D design and manufacturing technology throughout Connecticut’s defense supply chains. The $1.4 million federal grant will be matched by a $350,000 grant from DECD.

“Connecticut’s defense manufacturers are known worldwide for the quality of their work and commitment to innovation,” Governor Lamont said. “This grant will help our small and mid-sized companies adopt the cutting-edge technologies needed to meet the evolving needs of our large defense contractors and ensure our supply chains are second to none when it comes to quality and efficiency.”

“Tens of thousands of Connecticut workers design and manufacture parts for programs such as the F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, Columbia-class submarine, and the CH-53K helicopter,” the members of Connecticut’s Congressional delegation – including Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy, and Congressmen John Larson, Joe Courtney, Rosa DeLauro, Jim Himes, and Jahana Hayes – said in a joint statement. “The small and medium-sized manufacturing companies throughout our state are critical to Connecticut’s continued defense industry leadership. It is imperative that the supply chain workforce receive focused investments to support the rapid development of these next-generation defense programs. We are proud to have advocated for this important grant, and we will continue to fight to ensure Connecticut’s businesses remain on the leading edge of manufacturing technology.”

The Digital Model Initiative will initially focus on helping six Connecticut small and medium-sized suppliers implement 3-D modeling, design and production capabilities. The companies selected will be a part of the supply chains for helicopters, submarines and jet engines.  MORE >>>