Dear Friend, 

I just wrapped up a busy week of stops around Connecticut’s Second District. Here with an update on our new jobs, infrastructure projects, and more. As always, thanks for starting your weekend here with me.  

The Hiring Surge at Electric Boat Ramps Up 

The coming years and decades are shaping up to be a new era for our nation’s undersea fleet and shipbuilding industrial base. Eastern Connecticut will be right at the center of it, and this week, I made two visits to Electric Boat for updates on their work to meet our Navy’s high demand signal. On Thursday, Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Michael Gilday joined me at the Groton shipyard. Admiral Gilday will be testifying before my committee – Armed Services – in the coming days. It was a good opportunity to compare notes on the enormous budget for sub construction and EB's capacity to execute the work. We also toured the new South Yard Assembly building – the biggest construction project in the State of Connecticut in the last two decades.

On Thursday, Rep. Courtney and Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Matthew Gilday visited the Electric Boat shipyard in Groton for a tour of the facilities and an update on workforce development efforts and Electric Boat's hiring goals for 2023

At the start of 2023, Electric Boat’s top-line employment number stood at 19,500. The target for 2023 for new hires is an eye-popping 5,750. By the end of the year, between Quonset Point, Rhode Island and Groton, Connecticut, EB will be the largest private employer in both states. To meet that goal, Electric Boat is hosting lots of events for jobseekers in eastern Connecticut to get connected with these new positions. 

On Wednesday, Rep. Courtney stopped by Walk-In Wednesdays at Electric Boat's employment office in Groton

I saw an example of that the day before my my visit with Navy CNO Admiral Gilday, I stopped by Electric Boat’s weekly Walk-In Wednesdays hiring fair  They host these events every Wednesday from noon to 4pm. While I was in the hiring office on Wednesday, the energy was upbeat with good foot-traffic for a weekday afternoon. No appointment is needed, and visitors go through a very user-friendly process with intake forms and face-to-face meetings. Electric Boat also hosts Saturday job fairs which can often be easier to attend for people from across our state. The last Saturday job fair had a lot of traffic – 170 visitors with 107 hired! Next Saturday, April 22nd, Electric Boat is hosting a job fair from 8am to 12pm at their employment office in Groton. More details below!

New positions at Electric Boat are pathways to fulfilling careers here in eastern Connecticut. They’re good-paying, high-skill jobs that play a crucial role for the future of the U.S. Navy – and now for the future of the Australian Navy. Thanks to regional programs like the Manufacturing Pipeline Initiative by Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Board, the positions are also attainable for people of diverse backgrounds and varying levels of experience in manufacturing. In Congress, I’ve worked hard to expand federal funding to expand efforts to invest in our industrial base and develop the submarine manufacturing workforce. In final 2023 government funding bill, we secured $751 million to strengthen the nationwide Submarine Industrial Base – including $267 million for workforce development.  These investments are part of a long-term, bipartisan commitment in Congress to strengthen our Submarine Industrial Base. I'm working to ensure the investment is maintained over the coming years.

Federally funded training programs are making the quick hires possible at Electric Boat job fairs. After just a few weeks of training, people without prior experience in manufacturing can gain the skills they need for open positions. 

Visitors to Walk-In Wednesday's have face-to-face meetings with Electric Boat's HR staff, including Manager of Talent Acquisition Annie Leigh (left)

Thanks to the team at Electric Boat for welcoming me on my visits this week, and to CNO Gilday for joining me on Thursday. A belated happy National Submarine Day to all Navy Submariners and eastern Connecticut shipbuilders and suppliers!

A Waterford Small Business Gets Much-Deserved National Recognition

The shipbuilding boom is driving economy growth in every corner of Connecticut’s Second District. CT-02 is host to 130 suppliers who perform critical supply chain work for Electric Boat and our Navy. They’re receiving national recognition for their work! On Monday, I had the honor of joining Dicin Electric Co. to celebrate their deserved award as Small Business Administration National Subcontractor of the Year!  

On Monday, Rep. Courtney joined Dicin Electric, the Connecticut SBA, and local officials to celebrate Dicin's SBA National Subcontractor of the Year award. He was joined by (left to right) CT DECD Deputy Commissioner Robert Hotaling, State Representative Kathleen McCarty, State Senator Martha Marx, Dicin President Chris Hersom, President and Owner Cindy Hersom, Founders Rudy Chieka and Janice Chieka, SBA CT Director Catherine Marx, and Waterford First Selectman Rob Brule

At their facility in Waterford, owner Cindy Hersom is carrying on a family legacy of agile, high-quality work for eastern Connecticut. Her father Rudy founded Dicin with his family in 1973. 50 years on, the business is thriving. They recently completed a major upgrade at the Groton SUBASE – elevating the electronic fixtures on new Pier 32 to make it more resilient to climate change and rising sea levels. Dicin also recently qualified to take on work for Electric Boat, as part of the Virginia and Columbia submarine construction programs.

In eastern Connecticut's growing economy, there are increasing opportunities for small business subcontractors like Cindy Hersom and Dicin. SBA CT and its Director Catherine Marx do great work to help them seize new work

We were joined at the celebration by DICIN President and Cindy's husband Chris Hersom, SBA CT Director Catherine Marx, and local officials to celebrate the award. Many of our manufactures in eastern Connecticut are small, family-owned businesses like Dicin, and the Connecticut SBA does great work to connect them with new opportunities in our surging economy. In Congress, we’re working strengthen these suppliers with new resources to support Connecticut’s defense industrial base and supply chains. In the 2023 federal budget, we secured $280 million for nationwide supplier development.

A New Multi-Use Trail Coming in Plainfield

I’ll take any chance I can get to walk northeastern CT’s beautiful trails. They’re a huge asset to locals and attract lots of visitors to our towns. Last year, I worked with Plainfield to secure $2.2 million in federal Community Project funding to build a new 1.6-mile paved multi-use trail in the Wauregan section of town. This will be an extension to the Quinebaug River Trail, and a welcome addition to walkers, bikers, hikers, and others who use the trail to access all sorts of outdoor activities. Now that Community Project funding has been signed into law, I visited Wauregen with Plainfield Town Planner Mary Ann Chinatti and First Selectman Kevin Cunningham to discuss the project’s future. Mary has worked for years to see this project through, and now, thanks to this federal support, her vision for a paved trail will become a reality. 

Last week, Rep. Courtney visited Wauregan in Plainfield to meet with Town Planner Mary Ann Chinatti and First Selectman Kevin Cunningham. Courtney worked with them last year to secure $2.2 million for the construction of a new paved, multi-use trail

I’m committed to preserving the Last Green Valley’s natural heritage and creating new ways for people to get out and enjoy it – driving activity to our towns. The Quinebaug River Trail is one of the trails in our state which connects us to the federally recognized East Coast Greenway – a gateway to 15 states, 450 cities, and 3,000 miles. Travelers from Florida to Maine use the trails which make up the Greenway and the 200 miles of trails we host in eastern Connecticut really makes us a hub for outdoor recreation in our region.  

The new trail in Plainfield will be an addition to Quinebaug River Trial, which connects to the 15-state, 3,000 mile East Coast Greenway

Just a few months into 2023, we’ve secured some landmark wins for eastern CT’s outdoor landscape. In January, Last Green Valley Executive Director Lois Bruinooge and I announced we’ve secured a 15-year reauthorization the Last Green Valley’s (LGV) federal Natural Heritage Area status. That designation means steady federal funding will continue to play a vital role in the preservation of northeastern CT’s natural landscape and the wide-ranging, family-friendly programs the LGV offers. Then, in last week’s update, I was excited to share that federal Community Project funding will is also heading to East Hampton, allowing the town to construct a wooden boardwalk over a gap in the Air Line Trail. These two trail projects are 2 of 15 Community Projects I secured funding for in the 2023 government funding package. Read about each one here.

The Infrastructure Law Brings Funding to Norwich for Pipeline Upgrades 

On Wednesday, I joined Norwich Public Utilities, local officials, the U.S. Department of Transportation to announce $10 million from the Infrastructure Law is on its way to upgrade the city’s natural gas pipelines. We passed the bipartisan Infrastructure Law in 2021, and it’s supporting over 90 active projects in Connecticut’s Second District to the tune of over $800 million in federal funding. These investments in our towns are setting communities up for future growth and development. Outside of the Norwich City Hall, I caught up with Norwich Public Utilities General Manager Chris LaRose on the importance of pipeline upgrades to the services they provide for residents.

On Wednesday, Rep. Courtney helped announce $10 million in funding from the Infrastructure Law has been awarded to Norwich for gas pipeline upgrades. He was joined by employees of Norwich Public Utilities, NPU General Manager Chris LaRose, Mayor Peter Nystrom, Norwich City Council members, State Representative Derell Wilson, U.S. Department of Transportation Deputy Administrator for Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Tristan Brown, and others

Replacing older pipelines is a critical project to prevent leakage and keep services running smoothly. This project in Norwich aims to replace over 10 miles of pipeline mains over a 5-year period. That's going to create good-paying jobs and help set Norwich up for future growth and development. For the latest news on the Infrastructure Law's impact in eastern Connecticut, visit the IIJA page on my website.

Upgrading gas pipelines will be crucial to future growth in Norwich. Rep. Courtney caught up with Norwich Public Utilities General Manager Chris LaRose on the importance of this federally supported project

The Chaplin Fire Department Upgrades a Fire Truck with Federal Funds 

Great news in Chaplin. The Chaplin Fire Department recently purchased a new rescue pumper truck with the help of a $91k federal U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development grant. It replaces an old 1998 truck and is packed with upgrades. I visited to catch up on it all with First Selectman Juan Roman and Fire Chief Joe Pinto.  

Last week, Rep. Courtney visited Chaplin to discuss the town's use of a federal USDA grant to purchase a new fire truck for Chaplin Fire Department. He was joined by Fie Chief Joe Pinto (left) and First Selectman Juan Roman (right)

The Chaplin Fire Department bravely serves people in town and surrounding communities. This brand-new fire truck will be a huge boost to their work and also bring some important safety improvements. It’s fully equipped with modernized equipment and has a safer 4-man cab with rollover protection for the driver and passengers. A big thanks to First Selectman Roman and Chief Pinto for welcoming me and to the entire Chaplin Fire Department for all they do to keep people safe. 

Thanks for taking some time to read my update. If we can be of any assistance, don't hesitate to give my Norwich office a call at (860) 886-0139. Have a great weekend!

Sincerely,

Joe Courtney
Member of Congress

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