Kara Rochelle

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. This week, I joined Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro and other colleagues at Griffin Health in Derby to spotlight early detection and investments in research efforts.

Early detection saves lives, particularly for women with dense breasts. That's why as a legislator I helped lead the fight to pass the strongest breast cancer screening laws in the country, guaranteeing co-pay free screening for breast ultrasounds, MRIs and 3D mammography when clinically appropriate for people with state-regulated plans.

This same bill included the language I wrote providing for the strongest ovarian cancer screening coverage in the country. Co-authoring such an important bill regarding women’s cancers and working with esteemed colleagues who know what’s at stake is profound. It was personal for me, cancer took my mom. And it is often the same gene that puts women at risk for both breast and ovarian cancers.

Be vigilant, be well, please get your screenings, and know we are fighting for you.

Today is Manufacturing Day. Manufacturing has long been the mainstay of Connecticut's economy, and we are committed to helping manufacturers thrive as you can see below.

• Connecticut Manufacturing Assistance Act: Provides low-interest loans for projects that have strong economic development potential. Funds can be used for machinery, construction, inventory, training, and more.
• Manufacturing Innovation Fund: Provides financial support for job training and apprenticeships, education for small companies in new manufacturing technology and grants of up to $100,000 toward equipment purchases.
• Manufacturing Strategic Plan: Includes programs to support small and medium manufacturers, such as the DECD Manufacturing Innovation Fund. This program offers matching grants of up to $100,000 to eligible manufacturers under 100 employees.
• CONNEX Connecticut: An online platform that connects all U.S. manufacturers and suppliers with a single, accurate, and searchable supply-chain solution. It’s not just another platform: it’s a revolutionary new way for you to find, be found, connect, and contract directly with each other.

Learn more about these programs and many more resources through Connecticut’s Office of Manufacturing at manufacturing.ct.gov.

It was an honor to join Connecticut’s Chief Manufacturing Officer Paul Lavoie recently, to speak to manufacturers from across the state about our strategic plan for the manufacturing industry, hosted at Emmett O'Brien Technical High School. 

As Vice Chair of the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee and a six-year member of the Commerce Committee, I have made it one of my missions to get our young people trained for our state’s second largest industry — manufacturing — that is full of good paying jobs and opportunities for career advancement. 

A special thanks to Emmett’s Precision Manufacturing instructor Steve Orloski for coordinating this event, and your passion for making sure our students and this industry continues continue to flourish!