Manufacturing rebound in the State of CT?

Interesting perspective from a “Futurist” from Haddam CT (see attached Commercial Record article: Futuristic Says CT Manuafacturing Will Rebound). Ken Gronbach, of KGC Direct (http://www.kgcdirect.com/) is predicting the return of manufacturing to Connecticut in the future (although he doesn’t say how many years into the future). The basis of his theory appears to be two-fold. One, the decline of the younger population in countries such as China (conversely, the increase in the younger workforce here in CT). Two, combined with an increase in the younger workforce, the fact that CT already has large industry to feed off of (i.e. smaller manufacturers growing by serving the big manufacturers).

All I can say is I hope Ken is right! However, while I certainly respect the perspective and encourage Ken’s optimistic outlook, I have to wonder if we can count on the first OR second part of his theory holding true.

1) There is a continuing “brain drain” in the CT region. Our young people are leaving the state (not in droves, but leaving nonetheless). Why, because of opportunity. The opportunity to find jobs that is! If there aren’t any jobs…there isn’t a need to stick around. Just the other day I heard a “20 something” (college graduate) say…”I’m moving to DC”. I asked why…she said…”because my friend has a job down there…there aren’t any jobs up here!”.

2) In the coming years (heck, the coming months!) we will likely see further reduction in the workforce of large CT based manufacturers here in the State of Connecticut. While UTC’s Pratt &Whitney division is the easiest example of workforce reduction, there are a number of less visible companies who are doing the same (reducing their workforce here and expanding elsewhere).

Hey, I’m not predicting the imminent demise of the state (or the region), but I continue to be worried about the state’s lack of ability to “turn this ship around” (the “ship” being an economic development effort to make the state more competitive for business).

As they say…if you’re not moving forward, you’re moving backwards. If companies in this region aren’t growing here in the state (but are growing elsewhere), then guess what…we (the state) are moving backwards.

Again…I hope I’m wrong. But I fear that I’m not.

Keep smiling!

Mark