Congresswoman Esty Begins Tour of Central and Northwest Connecticut Small Businesses

Meriden and Thomaston, CT – Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty (CT-5) began the first in a series of small business and manufacturer tours by visiting Jonal Laboratories, Inc in Meriden and Ward Leonard Electric Company, Inc in Thomaston.

Esty’s first stop was Jonal Laboratories where she met with President Marc Nemeth, toured the facility, and spoke with employees. In the afternoon, Esty met with Ward Leonard President Michael Clute and toured their Thomaston operation.

“One of the reasons I’m so optimistic about the future of our district is because of the highly innovative manufacturing businesses like Jonal Laboratories and Ward Leonard that are producing quality, cutting-edge products,” Elizabeth Esty said. “My grandfather helped start a small manufacturing business in Iowa, so it’s an issue near and dear to me, but it’s also an issue that is critical to the future of our district. We have small manufacturing companies up and down the Naugatuck Valley and throughout the whole district. That’s why I’m committed to ensuring that manufacturers like Ward Leonard and Jonal Laboratories have a level playing field to compete globally and that we’re making strong investments in R & D, vocational education, and training. These companies are critical to rebuilding our communities and to rebuilding the middle class.”

“It’s great to have Congresswoman Esty visiting our company, meeting with our employees, and seeing the hard work it takes to succeed in this highly competitive industry,” Jonal Laboratories President Marc Nemeth said.  “We hope to continue to build relationships with our elected representatives to keep them informed of the issues facing local manufacturing businesses and to work with them to improve our economy. Congresswoman Esty comes from a manufacturing background, and she understands the subtle and complex issues we have to contend with. I am very confident that our concerns will have a voice in Congress”

“Ward Leonard is very impressed that Congresswoman Esty has moved so quickly to demonstrate her interest and commitment to the 5th District’s manufacturers and small businesses,” said Ward Electric President Michael Clute. “On behalf of the over 150 Connecticut small businesses that support our success every day, we are honored to host the Congresswoman at our Thomaston factory.”

Ward Leonard designs and manufactures highly engineered power conversion and control products. The company was founded by H. Ward Leonard in 1892 and has been based in Thomaston since 2000.

Jonal Laboratories is a family owned business that began in 1965 as a small job shop.  Over the years they have grown into a custom manufacturer supplying essential high-tech elastomeric products to the aerospace, military and industrial markets.  

Esty serves on the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and on the Subcommittee on Research where she plans to help boost high-tech manufacturing, encourage research and development, and advocate for educational institutions across central and northwest Connecticut.

Esty will also be participating in a House Committee on Science, Space and Technology hearing on the role of research and development in American competitiveness being held on Wednesday, February 6.

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