| By State Senator John A. Kissel
I am happy to share that I will be contributing
a bi-weekly column to the Enfield Press and I’d
like your help finding a name for my column. Titles
can be submitted to me via e-mail at John.A.Kissel@cga.ct.gov
or regular mail at the Legislative Office Building,
Room 2500, 300 Capitol Ave., Hartford, CT 06106. The
winner will receive not only their title as the name
of my column, but also at $10 gift certificate to Friendly’s
in Enfield. Deadline in Sept 30th and there is no limit
on number of entries or age of contributors.
Last Tuesday morning, September 1st, just hours after
voting no on the proposed state budget, I joined Secretary
of State Susan Bysiewicz for a tour of Control Module,
Inc. on Phoenix Avenue in Enfield. Control Module, with
its affiliated subsidiaries, is one of the most successful
manufacturing companies in the state. Even in the midst
of this recession, Control Module is growing their business
and looking for engineers who have a passion for creativity
and our future.
Connecticut has one of the worst job growth figures
in the country and taking the time to sit down with
individuals who know how to make a business work was
a very enlightening experience and I thank Secretary
Bysiewicz for inviting me to join her on this initiative.
We spoke candidly and at length with James S. Bianco,
President and CEO of Control Module. Our primary question
to Mr. Bianco, was how can a manufacturing company like
his expand when so many other sectors of the economy
are shrinking?
Especially in light of the budget that was passed early
last week, I have been very concerned about losing more
business in our state and seeing our economy shrink
even further. Connecticut was already ranked one of
the worst states to do business in and with the additional
surcharge placed on successful companies and a host
of fee increases, I am concerned we have shown that
we are not willing to be proactive in regards to this
problem.
What I saw in Enfield was certainly encouraging. Connecticut
does have a lot to offer companies by way of a highly
skilled and educated work force, proximity to important
cities, and lots of open space, but we do need to work
harder to bring new companies in and keep the ones that
are already here from moving out or shutting down.
Control Module, Inc. is on the cutting edge of technology
and is one of the leaders in electric vehicle supply
equipment as well as time and fleet management. They
hold over 94 US and worldwide patents. I truly believe
innovative manufacturers like Control Module could be
a critical part of the future of our state’s economy.
We have the best and brightest right here, but have
consistently struggled to keep young people in our state
after graduation. With a greater emphasis on science
and technology in the earliest grades, showing how fun
it can be, young people might choose careers in engineering
and the sciences. The spirit of invention that Connecticut
is known for could be rekindled..
The University of Connecticut is also a great asset
and along with turning out highly skilled engineers
and researchers, they have partnered with a number of
companies in building new technologies. Nonetheless,
while the number of domestic undergraduate students
in science and engineering programs at UCONN has increased
significantly in the past decade, a recent check of
the graduate program in engineering showed that the
majority of enrolled students are still international
students. We need to get the word out that we have sophisticated
institutions of learning ready to turn out graduates
equipped to enter our local work force right now, and
most importantly we need to do all we can to foster
a more business-friendly climate. The Green Economy
is here, and Connecticut has an incredible opportunity
to lead the way.
Your Friend,
John
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