New Britain Herald Business Scene: Esty is a strong voice for manufacturing

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 200,000 businesses closed their doors between 2008 and 2010. The tough economic times during those years forced many small businesses in the nation to fold. Many were entrepreneurs, riding the waves, hoping to hold on until economic storms calmed.

During that time, U.S. Rep. Elizabeth Esty, D-5th District, was on the Cheshire Town Council where she helped balance the budget while providing property tax relief to seniors and ensuring strong funding for public schools. Later, in the General Assembly, Esty cut her own pay, returning 10 percent of her salary to taxpayers. When a local plant closed in her hometown, laying off 1,000 skilled workers, she fought for job placements and early retirement packages.

So when she announced that one of her first acts as a congresswoman would be to visit manufacturers in her district it came as little surprise. Before she was elected to office, Esty visited several manufacturers — Marion Manufacturing in Cheshire, Stewart EFI in Thomaston, Ansonia Copper and Brass in Waterbury, and FuelCell Energy in Torrington.

As U.S. Rep., Esty visited Jonal Laboratories in Meriden, Ward Leonard in Thomaston, and Altek Electronics in Torrington. By the time she arrived at Peter Paul Electronics in New Britain, a manufacturer of solenoid valves, one reporter expected Esty’s eyes to glaze over despite the owners’ — the Mangiafico family’s — hospitality. But to the Congresswoman, it was all grist for her mill. In fact, she intends to visit more manufacturers and small businesses in the weeks ahead.

Esty put to rest that tired joke about Harvard, “You can always tell a Harvard man [or woman] but you can’t tell them anything.” Manufacturers told her a great deal. And it took only minutes for this reporter to realize that Harvard ’81 sitting across from him in the Peter Paul lunch room had listened well.