HARTFORD, Conn. — As if a national proclamation in Washington D.C. wasn't enough, one of Connecticut's newest highway welcome signs proclaims to travelers arriving from New York that Connecticut is "the pizza capital of the United States." Three other welcome signs for Connecticut's seven state highway border entrances were unveiled Wednesday.
“These new signs are not just markers on our highways, they are a reflection of what makes Connecticut special,” Gov. Ned Lamont said. “We want everyone entering our state to immediately feel proud of what we do well here, whether it’s making the nation’s best pizza, world class meals, national championships, or the most complex machines in the world. Each sign is an invitation to experience all that we have to offer as one of the best states to live, work, and play.”
The pizza welcome sign in question will be seen from two locations: Interstate 95 and Interstate 84 entering Connecticut from New York. It reads "Welcome to Connecticut. Home of the Pizza Capital of the United States."
In May, a group of pizza makers, politicians, and community leaders went to the U.S. Capitol to support a gubernatorial proclamation that Connecticut is the pizza capital of the U.S.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy does not agree with the new welcome sign's claim. He replied to Lamont's tweet revealing the signs, saying, "You're not even the pizza capital of the tri-state area."
Connecticut is also touting UConn's many NCAA national championship wins, including the men's teams' back-to-back championship wins in 2023 and 2024. The welcome sign that says "Home of the Basketball Capital of the World" can be seen in three locations: Interstate 91, I-84 and Interstate 395 entering Connecticut from Massachusetts.
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey had some "suggestions" on how "fix" the new welcome sign. She posted to X a modified photo of the basketball welcome sign, changing it to "Welcome to Massachusetts, Home of the Basketball Capital of the World."
Though UConn is dominating the sport in present day, Massachusetts holds basketball and its roots near and dear to itself, as James Naismith invented the game in Springfield in 1891.
While the first two signs appear to take a claim bordering states have also made, this next sign appears less savage. Travelers entering Connecticut from Rhode Island on I-95 will be welcomed with a sign that says Connecticut is "home of the Submarine Capital of the World." Groton, near the border, is home to General Dynamics Electric Boat, and New London is home to the U.S. Navy's primary submarine base. The state said EB has been the primary submarine manufacturer for the U.S. Navy since the early 20th century.
Earlier this year, Lamont proclaimed Connecticut to be "the Foodie Capital of New England." The new welcome sign will inform travelers of this at Route 6 Rhode Island border entrance. The full sign reads: "Stop for a bite in the Foodie Capital of New England."
The big C logo represents Connecticut's tourism and marketing brand: Make it Here. The C reveals a sideways T in the negative space.
Leah Myers is a digital content producer at FOX61 News. She can be reached at LMyers@fox61.com
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