Stanley Black & Decker Inc. celebrate the opening of the Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence as a downtown business accelerator this past Thursday, returning home to Hartford in hope to double its revenue over the next six years.

Chief executive James Loree stating, “We see this as an opportunity for Connecticut where advanced manufacturing and industry 4.0 skills can become a distinct advantage for the state”.

The opening is said to be a “vote of confidence” for Hartford and the state’s economic development efforts. Amid the state’s stagnant economy, Stanley Black & Decker’s return to the capital is among a number of hopeful signs to rebuild and grow the economic state of Connecticut.

Aetna, insurance giant, is of one to have re-committed to the city after CVS purchased the company.

Alongside Aetna, Pratt & Whitney, as well as Infosys has promised to create 1,000 new jobs in the Hartford area.

The aerospace industry also predicts to hire thousands of employees in the next coming years.

“We want to become the hub of the next industrial revolution”, Mayor Luke Bronin said.

Connecticut and Hartford’s officials applauded the commitment to the capital, which is seeking to draw more business downtown, capitalizing startup companies that encourage the growth of business development.

100 business representatives and advocates, as well as state officials, attended the ceremony of Stanley Black & Decker’s Hartford debut last Thursday, observing the showroom that showcased how technology is used in warehousing, machining, assembly, and pallet loading.

Mayor Loree said the state’s workforce “has become more relevant” amid the rise of digital technology as in recent years automated connectivity has reduced the use of labor to make products- simultaneously requiring specialized skills to boost its productivity.

Hartford Mayor, Loree, calls onto the state of Connecticut to support the city of Hartford as he believes it has the “potential to become the vital urban core”, driving towards economic growth and competitiveness.

“Granted it’s a work in process to some extent, but you can really appreciate the full potential when you use your imagination,” Loree said.

Stanley Black & Decker has played a major role in the state’s history, weathering three industrial revolutions.

Now, in today’s industry showing “what manufacturing is like in the 21 century”, said Governor Ned Lamont.

“I think it also reminds you why manufacturing is coming back to America and coming back to Connecticut…it’s going to take a small, but highly skilled, computer-savvy workforce able to manage these incredibly complex manufacturing technologies.”