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June 7, 2019

CT eyes first manufacturing czar

By Gregory Seay

Gov. Ned Lamont says Connecticut will get its first “manufacturing czar’’ who will coordinate state and private-sector efforts to educate and support the next generation of skilled producers.

Lamont’s announcement drew applause from more than 300 manufacturing owners, executives and workers Thursday night at New Haven Manufacturers Association (NHMA) annual meeting at Anthony’s Ocean View.

The governor offered no names or timetable for filling the post. The recently adopted state budget calls initially for a two-year appointment of a manufacturing director within the state Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD), who would be paid $150,000 annually.

DECD Commissioner David Lehman, who also is the governor’s senior economic adviser, attended the NHMA dinner meeting. Lehman previously said the state was mulling the creation of a high-level state manufacturing post within DECD.

Manufacturing in Connecticut is undergoing turmoil as producers look around for talent to fill thousands of vacant manufacturing jobs statewide as older workers retire and younger workers seek careers in other industries.

There is no shortage of leadership talent among Connecticut’s manufacturers who could step into the job, with more than a half dozen producer-affinity organizations: NHMA, the Smaller Manufacturers Association and the Connecticut Tooling & Machining Association, among others.

The Connecticut Business & Industry Association, the state’s largest business lobby, also urged the state name a manufacturing-sector overseer.

NHMA Executive Director Jamison Scott, who presided at his group’s annual meeting, hailed Lamont’s announcement. Scott said the group has already submitted a short list of potential candidates as manufacturing czar, but declined to identify them.

“This idea originated with the (Connecticut Manufacturing Collaborative) and we first pitched it to the Gov.-Elect in January, we then supported via various paths, meeting with the Commerce Committee, David Lehman, etc.,‘’ Scott said via email.

Cyndi Zoldy, executive director of the Smaller Manufacturers Association, based in Waterbury, was among the producer representatives who made the manufacturing-czar pitch to Lamont.

“He was receptive then, I am glad we got the appointment,’’ Zoldy said. “It is important to highlight and advocate for the needs of manufacturers, the largest growth area of our economy."

This story had been updated

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