Four manufacturers awarded $2.6M in state supply chain grants

The state Department of Economic and Community Development has awarded $2.6 million in grants to four manufacturers expanding or relocating in Connecticut under its $25 million Strategic Supply Chain Initiative.

The funding will support $12.5 million in total capital investment among the four projects, which are expected to create 83 jobs, DECD said.

The new round of recipients includes:

• AeroBond Composites LLC — The aerospace component maker, a subsidiary of WHI Global, is relocating from Springfield, Massachusetts, to a new 78,000-square-foot production facility in Enfield. The $4 million project will receive an $800,000 state grant.
• Beta Shim — The Shelton-based machining manufacturer, which supplies the aerospace and defense industries, is undertaking a 12,000-square-foot expansion. The project totals $2.5 million and will receive a $500,000 grant.
• Colonial Coatings — The Milford company provides coating applications for the aerospace, defense and power generation industries. It plans a $3 million investment in new equipment to expand production capacity and will receive a $500,000 grant.
• Sheffield Pharmaceuticals — The New London manufacturer of prescription and over-the-counter products is investing $3 million in packaging and mixing systems to expand capacity and product lines. It will receive an $800,000 grant.

DECD Commissioner Daniel O’Keefe said demand for the program has been strong since its launch earlier this year.

Two other manufacturers — Trumpf and GKN Aerospace — were previously announced as recipients of funding through the Strategic Supply Chain Initiative.