Northwest CT Manufacturing Leaders Unite to Tackle Industry Challenges: Major Event at American Mural Project

Over the last few months, manufacturing leaders have come together to discuss the most prevailing needs of the manufacturing industry in the Northwest region. They are committed to expanding their workforce by setting top priorities and developing an action plan with the support of Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board. The “Regional Sector Partnership” (RSP) launched in March of this year, bringing together 80 manufacturers at Clocktown Brewing Company of the Unimetal Surface Finishing plant in Thomaston, CT, and hosted their second in a series of tours’ campaign at Parker Medical, Inc. in Danbury, CT.

Now, on September 8th, industry partners are coming together again at the American Mural Project in Winsted, CT, to take action on the priorities set by our industry partrners.

The American Mural Project (AMP) is an amazing location, boasting the largest indoor collaborative artwork in the world — a mural 120 feet long, and 48 feet high. This incredible art piece celebrates and pays homage to all workers, and engaged schoolchildren from across the country to both contribute to the art and learn about the importance of manufacturing as part of their local economy. This event will bring together the biggest turnout of manufacturers in one room that the Northwest region has ever seen in history. Attendees are invited to network with industry champions such as Evan Berns of Northeast Growth Partners, LLC, Molly Kellogg of Hubbard Hall, Inc., Doug Johnson of Marion Manufacturing Company, Inc, Rich Dupont of Resource Development Associates, and others including Ruby Swartz of BD, David Ferraro of Carpin Manufacturing, Inc., SMA President, Sabrina Beck, and Dan Michaud of WANHO Manufacturing.

With the recent announcement of the $24 million awarded to our state through the EDA Good Jobs Challenge, the Northwest region alone was awarded $2 million to leverage these funds in support of our RSP’s initiatives. These dollars will help upskill, reskill, and make the necessary improvements to boost business and combat the issues facing the manufacturing industry today. This will be the first the Manufacturing Regional Sector Partnership meets since the announcement of the award.

For more information about the event, contact Ana Goncalves, NRWIB (ana.goncalves@nrwib.org) or Evan Berns, Northeast Growth Partners, LLC (evanberns@negrowthpartners.com).