Connecticut's manufacturing industry got a shot in the arm Wednesday when Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced the state is one of 12 applicants to receive a designation by the Obama administration under the Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership initiative.

The initiative is designed to support states with long-term economic development strategies.

A news release from Malloy's office said the designation means the state "will receive coordinated support from eleven federal agencies with access to more than $1 billion in federal funding dedicated to economic development and the resurgence of manufacturing in the United States."　

"With this designation and the federal funds supporting economic development programs in manufacturing, the state can accelerate and enhance our initiatives to boost innovation, worker skills, supply chain capabilities, infrastructure investment and job creation," Malloy is quoted in the release.

Connecticut's aerospace and defense shipbuilding industries made it a likely candidate for the designation.

Electric Boat, anticipating a large growth in shipyard jobs, already has begun to identify and create pipelines to turn out the future employees it needs.

Connecticut's delegation, all Democrats, praised the decision.

j.bergman@theday.com

Twitter: @JuliaSBergman