Courtney Congratulates American Woolen on $2 Million Contract Award to Produce U.S. Army Fabrics in Stafford Springs, CT | Congressman Joe Courtney
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Courtney Congratulates American Woolen on $2 Million Contract Award to Produce U.S. Army Fabrics in Stafford Springs, CT

June 24, 2020

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) congratulated American Woolen Company and its founder, Jacob Harrison Long, on the receipt of a new Department of Defense (DOD) contract award to produce polyester and wool blend fabric for U.S. Army dress uniforms as part of the national response to COVID-19. The new DOD contract award is valued at $2 million and uses funds authorized and appropriated under the bipartisan CARES Act, and through Title III of the Defense Production Act.

"Jacob Long and his team at the American Woolen Company continue to do outstanding work," said Congressman Courtney. "Their products are authentic, top-quality, and best of all the fabric is produced right here in the Second District. American Woolen is an eastern Connecticut success story. They've completely revitalized the historic Stafford Springs mill—a far cry from the dark days of 2014 when it looked light it might shutter its doors forever—and they're proving every day that the best, built-to-last products can be made right here in eastern Connecticut. Throughout this pandemic we've watched as supply chain breakdowns have disrupted several industries, and that's why this award is so important for our men and women in uniform. This new investment to keep production of U.S. Army uniforms here at home, in eastern Connecticut, will help ensure that the men and women of our armed services have the resources they need no matter what. This is a win for our troops, and it's another big win for American Woolen—they've absolutely earned it."

"Not only does this DPA Title III Grant demonstrate the DoD's commitment to invigorate the domestic textile industry, but it shows the DoD's interest to support small, local businesses. This Grant will enable American Woolen to make the critical investments required to strengthen its value proposition. We are excited about the future of premium textile manufacturing in New England," said Jacob Harrison Long.

American Woolen Company is located in Stafford Spring, CT, and is starting production of the U.S. Army's new "Army Greens" uniform—a callback to the classic uniforms worn by troops during World War II. The new contract award will enable American Woolen to sustain domestic production of the Army Green Service Uniform (AGSU) fabrics, ensuring that DOD is able to meet the long-term needs of the armed services amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2014, Rep. Courtney helped to facilitateAmerican Woolen's purchase of the Warren Mill complex in Stafford Spring, CT. Shuttered at the end of 2013, American Woolen acquired Warren Mill in June, 2014 and started production soon after. Since then, American Woolen has revitalized the Stafford Springs mill and eastern Connecticut's textile industry with a new "Made in Connecticut" line of products, through their involvement in producing fabrics for the U.S. Armed Services, and more.

Most recently, Courtney visited American Woolen in May to learn more about the mill's operations amid the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to discuss some of the federal resources available to eastern Connecticut business, and the new resources that would be available under the House-passed HEROES Act.

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