A new federal designation is expected to help the state of Connecticut access more than $1 billion in federal funding for economic development and to boost manufacturing.
The state is one of twelve applicants to receive the designation by President Barack Obama's administration under the Investing in Manufacturing Committee Partnership Initiative. It's a federal program designed to strengthen manufacturing across the country and support states with long-term economic development strategies.
Governor Dannel Malloy said the designation will ultimately help the state, "accelerate and enhance our initiatives to boost innovation, worker skills, supply chain capabilities, infrastructure investment and job creation."
Malloy said Connecticut was chosen largely because of the strength of its aerospace and defense shipbuilding industries.