Valley Lawmakers Hail Sikorsky Deal

State Representative Linda M. Gentile (D-Ansonia, Derby) and State Representative Theresa Conroy (D-Beacon Falls, Derby, Seymour) are very pleased to announce the General Assembly has approved a deal that Sikorsky Aircraft, which has made its home in Stratford since 1929, will remain here until at least 2032. 

"This deal is historic,” said Rep. Gentile. “It ensures a long-term presence and a long-term commitment to hiring. The agreement is good for the present and for generations to come. It gives me great comfort to think that maybe someday in the future one of my grandchildren may be working at Sikorsky and earning a good living."

 

“There is a ripple effect with this deal,” Rep. Conroy said. “There are the jobs down in Stratford as well as jobs at small manufacturers and suppliers around the state – and right here in Seymour - that depend on Sikorsky.”

 

The helicopter giant will be eligible for financial incentives in exchange for building nearly 200 CH-53K King Stallion helicopters, in Connecticut. The deal will:

 

·         Build nearly 200 CH-53K King Stallion Helicopters – the largest maritime helicopter in the world - in Connecticut for the United States Navy until at least June 2032 

·         Keep the Sikorsky headquarters in the state and maintain its Stratford site as a primary production facility for its government based helicopter business

·         Retain and grow its full time employment in Connecticut to more than 8,000 by the end of year 14

·         Nearly double its spending of $350 million per year with local Connecticut suppliers throughout the state

·         Increase its capital spending for machinery and equipment by 22 percent

·         Drive an estimated $69.2 billion between 2016 and 2032 into the Connecticut economy

·         Allow Sikorsky to spend an estimated $21.1 billion on wages and benefits between 2016 and 2032

·         Support approximately 24,601 jobs directly and indirectly

·         Invest an estimated $744.8 million in contractor employment

·         Inject an estimated $384.4 million in direct and indirect average annual tax revenue into the Connecticut economy, totaling $6.54 billion from 2016 and 2032 

The incentives, worth up to $220 million, include exemption from sales and use taxes and annual grants during the term of the deal. In turn, Sikorsky and Lockheed will keep its HQ and primary manufacturing in the state, retain and expand its full-time staff, increase capital spending and give top priority to its Connecticut-based suppliers. 

This deal was approved in a Special Session Sept. 28 by the General Assembly.

 

(This is a press release from CT Democrats)

Gentile Applauds Sikorsky Deal

State Representative Linda M. Gentile (D-Ansonia, Derby) is very pleased that Sikorsky Aircraft, which has made its home in Stratford since 1929, will remain here until at least 2032.

 

"This is very good news not only for the State of Connecticut, but especially the lower Naugatuck Valley,” said Rep. Gentile. “Both my father and father-in-law worked at Sikorsky, along with so many other men and women from Ansonia and Derby. This deal, along with the work we have already done in the manufacturing sector, and will continue to do, will guarantee good paying jobs and continued residency here for generations to come."

 

After meeting with Sikorsky parent Lockheed Martin, Governor Dannel P. Malloy announced a deal in which the helicopter giant will be eligible for financial incentives in exchange for building nearly 200 CH-53K King Stallion helicopters, in Connecticut.

 

The incentives, worth up to $220 million, include exemption from sales and use taxes and annual grants during the term of the deal. In turn, Sikorsky and Lockheed will keep its HQ and primary manufacturing in the state, retain and expand its full-time staff, increase capital spending and give top priority to its Connecticut-based suppliers.

 

“This agreement requires legislative approval,” added Rep. Gentile. “There should be no dissenting votes on this matter. It’s a no-brainer that we must move as quickly as possible to secure such an important employer as Sikorsky. The company is vital to the stability of our economy and for the thousands of families who depend on these highly-skilled manufacturing jobs.”

 

(This is a press release from Gentile)

Kelly to help displaced Sikorsky workers

Company to lay off more than 600  

HARTFORD - State Sen. Kevin Kelly, R-Stratford, released the following statement today regarding the announcement of over 600 layoffs at Sikorsky Aircraft, with a majority of those layoffs happening in Stratford.

Kevin Kelly

“I am extremely disappointed that Sikorsky will be eliminating so many jobs here in Connecticut. Hundreds of families will be negatively impacted by this decision, and my heart goes out to these individuals. Our community will suffer greatly from this loss," he said.

“Right now my top concern is to help the displaced workers. But we also must look at the bigger issues at play. Connecticut’s economy is suffering and our job market is shrinking. When a layoff of this scale occurs, it becomes clear that Connecticut is in trouble. If our employers cannot prosper, neither can our people,” Kelly said.

In an effort to help the community, Kelly will be sending a letter to Department of Labor Commissioner Glen Marshall expressing his concerns and requesting that the department’s Rapid Response Team be dispatched to educate the workers about training opportunities, job search assistance and unemployment benefits.

 
This is a press release from Kelly's office.