Virginia-Class Submarine Voted Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut

10.04.2024
Manufacturing

What is the Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut? It’s a question we’ve been asking since launching the first-of-its-kind competition on Aug. 21.

The winner—General Dynamics Electric Boat’s Virginia-class submarine!

“On behalf of the 24,000 shipbuilders of GD Electric Boat, thank you to the people of Connecticut,” Electric Boat president Kevin Graney said as he accepted the award at the Oct. 2 Connecticut Manufacturing Summit.

“This highlighted the breadth and depth of manufacturing in our state—it’s truly an honor to receive this recognition.

“Connecticut is the submarine capital of the world and a key player in our region’s economic growth.”

The Virginia-class submarine narrowly edged out Sikorsky’s Black Hawk Helicopter in the final round by just 169 votes.

‘Honor’

“On behalf of Sikorsky, I’d like to congratulate Kevin Graney and his entire Electric Boat team on the Virginia-class submarine’s win,” said Sikorsky vice president and general manager Rich Benton. 

“It was an honor to see the Black Hawk as a finalist in this inaugural competition featuring our state’s greatest products and innovations.

“We are proud to call Connecticut home and look forward to the next competition. Thank you, CBIA, for shining a spotlight on manufacturing in our great state.”

Graney was joined on stage by more than 30 members of Electric Boat’s workforce to accept the award at the summit. 

“The folks we have with us today represent a great cross section of Electric Boat,” Graney said.

“One of the cool things about shipbuilding is the generations of people that come to work here.”

Showcasing Manufacturing

The CBIA Foundation hosted the Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut challenge with the support of the Connecticut Office of Manufacturing, CONNSTEP, and CliftonLarsonAllen LLP. 

Featuring 16 Connecticut-made products, the single-elimination, bracket-style competition allowed residents to vote on their favorite product, with more than 115,000 overall votes cast. 

The candidates ranged from defense vehicles to life-saving devices, food, and products that make our lives easier.

Each week, FOX 61 featured the competition on its morning news to showcase Connecticut’s manufacturing industry. 

“The manufacturing community rallied around this competition,” CBIA president and CEO Chris DiPentima said on FOX 61’s morning show the day after the summit.

“We could not be happier for the excitement and attention this competition brought to such an important industry for our state’s economy.

“The Virginia-class submarine is an iconic Connecticut product, and the workforce at Electric Boat exemplifies the talent, skill, and innovation of the state’s manufacturing industry.”

Groton-based Electric Boat has been part of Connecticut’s manufacturing history since beginning operations in 1911, launching the world’s first nuclear-powered submarine, the USS Nautilus, in 1954.

“We have to blow our horn a little bit,” Gov. Ned Lamont said at the summit. “Connecticut makes the Virginia-class submarine! We’ve got to tell our own story about what that means and how it’s important.

“What you do defending peace and freedom around the world, I think it’s an incredibly appropriate award.”

Lasting Legacy

The challenge celebrated Connecticut’s incredible manufacturing legacy and workforce, and the industry’s importance to the state’s economy.

“Manufacturing has a long history in Connecticut,” said CLA’s Matthew Gaieski as he presented the trophy to Graney.

“Not only are there close to 5,000 manufacturers, but these companies employ 160,000 people throughout the state and produce an incredible range of products.”

“The incredible products that were part of this competition along with the thousands of others made here in Connecticut are a testament to the strength of our robust manufacturing industry,” said CONNSTEP president and CEO Beatriz Gutierrez.

Connecticut chief manufacturing officer Paul Lavoie said “it’s well known that the nuclear submarine is the most sophisticated machine known to humans.” 

“Connecticut has recognized that by designating it the Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut in 2024,” he said.

Nominations are now open for next year’s Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut challenge.

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