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Dear Friend,
After a busy week in eastern Connecticut, I’m here with an update on the hiring surge at Electric Boat, a program to keep CT households connected to the internet, and lots more. As always, thanks for the starting your weekend here with me.
Hiring Rate at Electric Boat on Track to Exceed Aggressive Goal for 2023
This week, I made another visit to Electric Boat’s Walk-in Wednesday job fair to discuss current hiring rates with EB’s HR team. Shipbuilders in Groton are facing heightened demand with a continued 2-per-year build rate for Virginia-class submarines and work on the Columbia program fully in action. To meet the moment, last February, EB announced an extremely ambitious hiring goal of 5,750 new employees for 2023 for both Groton and Quonset Point facilities. This is the biggest hiring goal in the history of EB's 120 years of operation. Last February, there was a lot of skepticism that the goal was achievable. As of last week, the halfway point of the calendar year, the company has made more than 3,000 hires between the Groton and Quonset Point, Rhode Island shipyards – putting them on pace to not just meet the goal, but actually exceed it.
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| On Wednesday, Rep. Courtney visited the Electric Boat Employment Office in Groton for their weekly job fair Walk-in Wednesday. From left: Abigail Bundy, Staffing Representative; Shawn Coyne, VP of Human Resources; Erica Bacon, Staffing Representative; Rep. Joe Courtney; Courtney Murphy, Director of Workforce Development; Anna Leigh, Manager of Talent Acquisition; and Erin Pedone, HR Assistant. |
In southeastern Connecticut, EB has been hosting frequent job fairs in addition to Walk-in Wednesdays, due to such high demand, the Groton employment office recently began hosting new after work hours walk-in job fairs.
A big thanks to EB’s employment office for providing me with an update on hiring in Groton. While we talked, there was lots of foot traffic in the office with people of varying ages taking steps to begin new careers or continue their path in positions that are vital to the U.S. Navy. This year, the Navy will commission two new Virginia-class submarines, the USS Rickover and the USS New Jersey. The continued two-per-year build rate and record hiring are clear signals that the defense industrial base is meeting the moment.
On Wednesday morning, I joined WTIC’s Brian & Company to discuss hiring at Electric Boat and all things submarine construction. Click here to listen.
Historic Investments in the Industrial Base
Congress is paying close attention to growth at the Groton shipyard and the strength of the entire submarine industrial base (SIB) which stretches to all corners of the Second District. Before I stopped by Walk-in Wednesday, I joined the Eastern CT Workforce Investment Board (EWIB) for a discussion on the current state of the SIB and my work to deliver the federal resources it needs to remain strong.
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| On Tuesday, Rep. Courtney joined the Eastern CT Workforce Investment Board to discuss the state of the submarine industrial base and his work to keep it strong. |
In 2023 alone, we’ve delivered $751 million in federal funding for the nationwide industrial base. In eastern Connecticut, we’ve also boosted support to EWIB’s Manufacturing Pipeline Initiative, which has a 2023 budget of $30 million, 71% of which is federal funding. As part of the AUKUS agreement, Australia has committed to investing $3 billion into the US Submarine Industrial base. That will serve as a major multiplier to already record investments in building a strong workforce to meet heightened submarine construction demand.
A Federal Infrastructure Grant Brings $17M to New London
On Monday, I joined colleagues and local leaders outside New London's Union Station and the future site of the National Coast Guard Museum to celebrate a new $17 million federal infrastructure grant that the city was recently awarded to transform its downtown area into one of the most exciting transit hubs in America. After seven years of persistent work to secure the grant funding – which comes through the Department of Transportation and the Infrastructure Law – new, multimodal infrastructure will welcome visitors to New London by sea, rail, car, bus, bike, and foot. This project really sets New London up to be the nationwide poster child for multimodal development.
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| On Monday, Rep. Courtney joined New London Mayor Michael Passero, city officials, state representatives, and his colleagues in the CT Congressional delegation to tout the $17 million transportation grant for New London. |
The Coast Guard Museum will be a significant draw for visitors to downtown New London. With a pedestrian bridge, a permanent terminal for the cross-sound ferry, a new transit hub for SEAT buses, a restored and renovated Union Station, and 400 additional parking spaces at the Water Street Public Parking Garage, this project will ensure New London has the capacity to welcome visitors with safe and ADA accessible infrastructure.
Congratulations to Mayor Passero, Parking Authority Director Carey Redd, and their hard-working team who my office and I have worked closely with over the last several years to push this project forward. In the words of President Calvin Coolidge, “persistence pays off."
Affordable Internet for All
Access to affordable, reliable internet is a vital utility for every household. It connects people to new opportunities and in smaller towns, it’s becoming an increasingly important resource for local news and information amid the closing of so many smaller media outlets.
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| On Tuesday, Rep. Courtney visited the Marlborough Senior Center to discuss the Affordable Connectivity Program with AARP CT State Director Nora Duncan, CT Consumer Counsel Claire Coleman, and Executive Director of the Connecticut Library Consortium Ellen Paul |
On Tuesday, I visited the Marlborough Senior Center with Connecticut Consumer Counsel Claire Coleman, AARP CT, and the Connecticut Library Consortium in Marlborough to discuss the Affordable Connectivity Program. It’s supported by the Infrastructure Law and is helping 163,000 people in our state stay connected, half of whom are seniors.
In June, we announced Connecticut will receive $144 million from the Infrastructure Law to improve broadband infrastructure – helping ensure that gaps in coverage in our state, particularly in rural towns, are filled. Coupled with this work, the Affordable Connectivity Program provides those who need it with access to affordable internet services. Click here to learn more about the ACP.
Fall Internships: Now Accepting Applications
Interns in my Norwich and Washington, DC offices play crucial roles in our service to the people of Connecticut’s Second District, and it’s a fantastic experience for young people. I started as an intern myself!
My office is currently accepting applications for fall internships in both Norwich and Washington, DC. I encourage students and others at the start of their careers to apply! Click here to learn more and get started.
Thank you 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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