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ManufactureCT Recognizes Legislative Leaders Advancing Connecticut Manufacturing
State Senator Christine Cohen and State Representative Kathy Kennedy Receive 2025 Outstanding Leader in Government Affairs Award
ManufactureCT is recognizing State Senator Christine Cohen and State Representative Kathy Kennedy as its 2025 Outstanding Leaders in Government Affairs, honoring their leadership on policies that strengthened Connecticut’s manufacturing workforce and economic competitiveness in 2025 and will continue to shape the industry in the year ahead.
The Outstanding Leader in Government Affairs award is presented to policymakers who demonstrate sustained leadership on issues critical to manufacturers, including workforce development, infrastructure, and economic growth.
Senator Cohen, Senate Chair of the Transportation Committee, is recognized for her ongoing transportation advocacy which impacts workforce development in a positive way.
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Representative Kennedy is being honored for her leadership and unwavering dedication to manufacturing education in the state.
“These recognitions are about outcomes,” said Kate Houlihan, CPC, Executive Director, ManufactureCT. “In 2025, Connecticut manufacturers saw real progress on workforce access and infrastructure and the leadership of Senator Cohen and Representative Kennedy helped make that possible. As we look toward the 2026 legislative session, these priorities will remain central to keeping Connecticut competitive.”
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ManufactureCT noted that workforce availability, transportation access, and job quality will continue to be top issues for manufacturers in 2026 as the state works to strengthen its industrial base and attract the next generation of talent.
About ManufactureCT
Founded in 1913, ManufactureCT, (formerly New Haven Manufacturers Association) is among the longest-running industry groups to serve manufacturers in the United States. In 2019, ManufactureCT celebrated entry into its second century by officially becoming a statewide forum for community and business leaders focused on sharing perspectives from inside manufacturing facilities to build collective strength for the sector. Members are primarily advanced manufacturers, ranging from multi-generation family businesses to multinational corporations.
