Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut Winner Crowned

General Dynamics Electric Boat’s Virginia-class submarine has been voted the first-ever Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut.

The announcement was made today at the Connecticut Manufacturing Summit in Hartford. 

The Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut is a new competition celebrating the state’s manufacturing industry and its world-class workforce.

Featuring 16 Connecticut-made products, the single-elimination, bracket-style competition allowed residents to vote on their favorite product. 

More than 115,000 votes were cast during the competition, with Electric Boat edging out Sikorsky’s Black Hawk Helicopter by less than 200 votes. 

“On behalf of the 24,000 shipbuilders of General Dynamics Electric Boat, thank you to the people of Connecticut for voting the Virginia-class submarine the coolest thing made in Connecticut,” said General Dynamics Electric Boat president Kevin Graney.

“Thank you also to CBIA for creating this competition to highlight the enormous depth and breadth of manufacturing excellence in our state. 

“Over the last two decades, the men and women of Electric Boat have evolved the Virginia-class submarine to remain the apex predator of our world’s oceans. 

“We’re proud to be the first Connecticut company to receive this recognition.”

“On behalf of Sikorsky, I’d like to congratulate Kevin Graney and his entire Electric Boat team on the Virginia-class submarine’s win as the Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut,” 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.” 

The competition was presented by the CBIA Foundation in partnership with the Connecticut Office of Manufacturing and CONNSTEP and made possible through the generous support of CliftonLarsonAllen LLP. 

“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,” said CBIA president and CEO Chris DiPentima. 

“Congratulations to all the competitors who helped shine a spotlight on the variety of products made here and the incredible impact the manufacturing has on our state.

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

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

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

“It was wonderful to see so many people across Connecticut engaged in choosing the Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut,” said CONNSTEP president and CEO Beatriz Gutierrez. 

“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.”

A group of business leaders nominated the 16 products competing in the first year of what will be an annual competition.

Nominations for next year’s competition are open through the end of December.

---

CBIA is Connecticut’s largest business organization, with thousands of member companies, small and large, representing a diverse range of industries from every part of the state. For more information, please contact Scott Beaulieu (860.244.1929).