WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) applauded the strength of Connecticut’s manufacturing industry and its growth last year. According to the Hartford Courant and the Connecticut Department of Labor, Connecticut manufacturing has risen for the last eight months, with Connecticut employers reporting close to 162,000 manufacturing jobs in November 2015. 

“Each Monday, I am proud to share stories of the innovative work and community engagement that’s happening at manufacturers across Connecticut,” said Murphy. “While there’s still much more to do, manufacturing in Connecticut has seen a resurgence, and that’s something to celebrate as we begin this new year. These success stories drive me to continue to fight tooth and nail every single day in Congress for Connecticut manufacturers and for the hard-working men and women who power this lifeblood industry.”

The manufacturing industry plays a crucial role throughout Connecticut communities, creating new jobs and accelerating our state’s economic recovery. Today, Connecticut’s 4,602 manufacturers account for 10.2% of the state’s jobs and 87% of the state’s total exports. In order to protect and grow manufacturing jobs in Connecticut, Murphy has introduced two pieces of legislation that aim to strengthen existing standards and prioritize the purchase of American-made goods, the 21st Century Buy American Act and the American Jobs Matter Act.