TIGHITCO gets $500K Connecticut grant to expand Navy-focused composite manufacturing

TIGHITCO is expanding advanced composite manufacturing at its Berlin, Connecticut facility with help from a $500,000 state grant and a $1.8 million capital investment. The project is aimed at improving support for current and future U.S. Navy programs and strengthening domestic defense manufacturing capacity.

Why it matters: - The expansion is aimed at improving readiness, affordability and resilience across the U.S. defense industrial base. - The project is designed to strengthen TIGHITCO's support for current and future U.S. Navy programs. - The work also supports Connecticut's advanced manufacturing base and high-skilled aerospace jobs.

What happened: - TIGHITCO announced an expansion of its advanced composite manufacturing capabilities on July 22, 2026. - The expansion will take place at TIGHITCO's Berlin, Connecticut facility. - The Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development awarded TIGHITCO a $500,000 grant. - TIGHITCO is making a $1.8 million capital investment in the Berlin facility. - TIGHITCO is also participating in a federally funded advanced manufacturing initiative focused on next-generation composite manufacturing technologies.

The details: - The company is investing in the SQRTM® process to improve production efficiency, quality and manufacturing capacity for defense customers. - The initiative combines state and federal investment to accelerate advanced composite manufacturing capabilities tied to national security. - The federal initiative is intended to strengthen the Navy's supply chain and improve domestic manufacturing capacity. - TIGHITCO said the Connecticut support helps accelerate deployment of these technologies to better support the U.S. Navy's evolving mission requirements. - The company said the state investment demonstrates support for sustaining advanced manufacturing and aerospace jobs. - TIGHITCO said the broader effort is meant to enhance military readiness, strengthen supply chain resilience and improve the long-term competitiveness of U.S. manufacturing. - TIGHITCO has operated since 1944, and its Aerostructures Division was established in 1972. - The company holds Nadcap, ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D accreditations. - TIGHITCO says it provides advanced composite aerostructures, metallic products, soft goods, molded insulation systems, sheet metal forming and MRO services.

Between the lines: - The grant positions Connecticut as a partner in a defense manufacturing project, not just a funding source. - The Navy focus suggests the investment is meant to align commercial manufacturing upgrades with defense procurement needs. - The SQRTM® process appears to be the technical centerpiece of the capacity expansion, with the state grant helping reduce the cost of deployment.

What's next: - TIGHITCO will implement the expansion at the Berlin facility. - The company will continue building out advanced composite manufacturing capabilities for Navy modernization efforts and other defense aerospace programs. - More information is available on the company's website or by email at info@tighitco.com.

The bottom line: - TIGHITCO is using state and federal support to scale composite manufacturing in Connecticut for defense work, with the U.S. Navy as the near-term beneficiary.