Lieutenant Governor Michael Fedele Joins CONNSTEP to Promote Teamwork & Collaboration And Help Manufacturing Survive and Continue to Grow

January 22, 2010
For Immediate Release
For more information:
Laura Fanelli, Director of Public Affairs, 860-524-7317/860-622-1278
Rebecca Kane Dow, CONNSTEP, 860-513-3217/860-539-4915

Have you heard the old saying "I'm from the government and I'm here to help you"? The usual response of running screaming is being replaced with a real sincerity and commitment to help business if Lieutenant Governor Michael Fedele has anything to do with it.

Lieutenant Governor Fedele joined the Connecticut Manufacturing Coalition Manufacturing Operations Roundtable in Waterbury, Thursday, January 21, 2010, to meet with manufacturing leadership. He spoke to forty manufacturers about the current economic challenges facing state government and how imperative continued conversation with individual elected officials is for business owners.

Lieutenant Governor Fedele shared experiences he has had working to change the mindset of various state agencies that business is not the enemy and by exchanging the word "business" with the word "employer" he has been trying to help legislators understand the impact their votes have on businesses in their districts.

"It's all in how you frame the debate and the words you use," explained Fedele. "Unfortunately some legislators have the idea that business, big business, is bad. As a business owner I find that attitude disappointing and limiting to the discussion. "Employers like these represented at the roundtable today are on the right track - engaging with their legislators, actively participating in industry programs and using the services of CONNSTEP to improve their operations and grow their businesses."

By using the word "employer" Fedele feels it accomplishes several things: it puts a human face on the issue, it reminds legislators that their constituents depend on their jobs provided by "business" and most importantly he hopes it reminds legislators that every time they vote for a bill that harms and limits business in the state of Connecticut they are ultimately harming their own constituents.

After a tour of the Manufacturing Alliance Service Corporation technical training facility, the Lieutenant Governor joined the roundtable group to discuss topics of importance to the industry - availability of skilled workers, restrictive legislation and regulation, and funding for incumbent worker training were all on the minds of the representatives from 28 Connecticut companies in attendance.

"The Lieutenant Governor's interest in maintaining an ongoing conversation with the Connecticut manufacturing community illustrates the importance of the industry to the health of our state's economy - now and into the future," stated Bonnie Del Conte, president of CONNSTEP.

The Connecticut Manufacturing Coalition is a working group of organizations including the Manufacturing Alliance of Connecticut (MAC), Smaller Manufacturers Association of CT (SMA), the New Haven Manufacturers Association (NHMA), Connecticut Tooling & Machining Association (CTMA), Metal Manufacturers' Education & Training Alliance (METAL), Connecticut Association of Metal Finishers (CAMF) and CONNSTEP, formed to better serve the needs of the Connecticut manufacturing community. Through joint resources, the coalition will provide educational and networking opportunities and speak with one voice on legislative matters vital to the health and vitality of the manufacturing industry within the state.

For photos from the event, follow this link:  http://bit.ly/658rnU

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