Lamont Leads Economic Development Mission to Germany

Gov. Ned Lamont is leading a delegation of Connecticut officials on an economic development mission in Germany.

During the July 15-July 19 trip, Lamont, Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Dan O’Keefe, Connecticut Innovations CEO Matt McCooe, and AdvanceCT CEO John Bourdeaux are meeting with leaders of several German-based companies. 

The delegation plans to discuss expansion opportunities for those companies in Connecticut.

Before leaving, Lamont said the objective is to let executives know that Connecticut “is the ideal location for companies to develop and produce cutting-edge products and services that make businesses thrive.” 

Lamont highlighted Connecticut’s workforce, calling it “the best-educated and best-trained workforce in the United States.”

Cultivating Relationships

The delegation is holding meetings in Munich, Stuttgart, and Berlin with companies that either have operations in Connecticut, or are looking to expand into North America. 

According to the U.S. International Trade Administration, Germany is Connecticut’s largest international trade partner behind Canada and Mexico.

Connecticut exported $2.1 billion in goods to Germany in 2023, representing 13% of the state’s total commodities exports. 

“This trip is a great opportunity to strengthen those relationships and explore new trade and investment opportunities.”

DECD’s Dan O’Keefe

Bordeaux said there are more than 100 German companies with operations in Connecticut, representing more than 12,400 jobs.

“Last year, we announced four German expansions and new operations in Connecticut that created more than 300 new jobs, $87 million in capital expenditures, and more than 309,000 square feet of new facilities,” he said.

“Germany is an important partner and home to many of our largest companies, so this trip is a great opportunity to strengthen those relationships and explore new trade and investment opportunities for our state,” noted O’Keefe.