Press Releases
09/20/2016
Gov. Malloy, State and Local Leaders, and Executives from Lockheed Martin and Sikorsky Announce Agreement Details
Elected Officials and Business Leaders from Across the State Show Strong Support for Sikorsky Plan
(HARTFORD, CT) - Governor Dannel P. Malloy, state and local leaders, and executives from Lockheed Martin and Sikorsky today released additional details on the agreement announced yesterday that will keep Sikorsky's worldwide headquarters in Connecticut, where they will retain and grow approximately 8,000 jobs and dramatically increase their investments among Connecticut suppliers.
Additional details on the agreement can be found in these two documents:
Summary of the agreement | Brochure on its impact in Connecticut
In addition, business leaders, and elected officials from across the state are showing their strong support for the agreement:
State Leaders
Governor Dannel P. Malloy:
"This is a significant deal with wide-reaching ramifications. It ensures that great manufacturing jobs - thousands of them - will remain in Connecticut, and that Sikorsky's extraordinary record will continue to flourish for years and years to come right here at home. If we don't do this deal, we risk losing thousands of good-paying jobs. This isn't just about Sikorsky and our new relationship with Lockheed Martin - it's also about the supply chain companies and their employees that will benefit from the CH53K being built by Sikorsky. These companies are in every corner of our state. Today, we are supporting the small- and medium-sized businesses that are the backbone of our state and local economy. This is something that we all should celebrate."
Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman:
"This is a historic agreement that will secure thousands of jobs in the years ahead - both at Sikorsky and also at their many supply chain partners throughout Connecticut. While we'll need to move quickly with our partners in the General Assembly, it's important that they vote on this deal. It's part of our shared commitment to grow Connecticut jobs and strengthen our economy."
Senate President Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven):
"In a global economy, this company could have chosen to move anywhere in the world but it chose to remain in Connecticut. The educational investments we are making in advanced manufacturing career training are creating a pipeline of workers-that will fill these jobs for a generation-who are better skilled and better educated than our competitors. This proposal represents a landmark victory not only for the eight thousand workers at Sikorsky/Lockheed Martin but for the small businesses, machine shops and workers across the entire supply chain. Hundreds of suppliers throughout the state will benefit from a strong Sikorsky/Lockheed Martin partnership with the State of Connecticut, and that means keeping good-paying jobs here in Connecticut for today's workforce and tomorrow's graduates."
Speaker of the House Brendan Sharkey (D-Hamden):
"Sikorsky is synonymous with the economic heritage of our state, and Lockheed Martin's commitment to make a major investment here assures Sikorsky remains an important part of our economic fabric for years to come. Sikorsky, along with their hundreds of sub-contractors, reaches all regions of our state, and like last week's announcement by Pratt & Whitney, this is great news for our economy, and shows that Connecticut's business climate continues to improve."
Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk):
"What does this investment really mean? It means that Connecticut kids can go to school knowing that they'll have jobs available to them right here in Connecticut when they graduate. Connecticut is continuing to make smart investments in industries with good-paying, reliable jobs that will be here today, tomorrow and over the next generation. This is part of a long-term strategy to continue building jobs for the future. It is the same strategy that secured biomedical companies like The Jackson Laboratory and Alexion Pharmaceuticals; media companies like NBC Sports and ESPN; and large advanced manufacturers like Pratt & Whitney, Electric Boat and Sikorsky/Lockheed Martin. The King Stallion helicopter is the only one of its type in the world, and it is being built right here in Connecticut because we have the skilled workforce capable of producing the next generation helicopter. The economic impact of this project will create and sustain thousands in the manufacturing supply chain across all corners of the state for years to come."
House Majority Leader Joe Aresimowicz (D-Berlin, Southington):
"Not only will this agreement keep Sikorsky and Lockheed Martin, along with thousands of manufacturing jobs, here in Connecticut, they are making significant investment in local manufacturers, like Cambridge Specialty in Berlin. This investment reinforces that it is essential that we continue the work we have been doing in recent years to invest in our technical schools so that our employers, like Sikorsky, continue to have access to a well-trained workforce that fits their needs."
State Senator Danté Bartolomeo (D-Meriden):
"This is yet another piece of great economic news for Connecticut. One of the most exciting aspects of Sikorsky's agreement, coming on the heels of the tens of thousands of jobs being created at Pratt & Whitney and Electric Boat, is that there is a higher education component to all of it. As Senate Chair of the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee, I've been working very hard to improve Connecticut's STEM curriculum and its advanced manufacturing training programs in order to create a pipeline of students moving from our state universities and community colleges directly into jobs with state manufacturers. That's one of the reasons why I fought so hard to keep the precision manufacturing program alive at Middlesex Community College. We're very busy here in Connecticut growing the economy and creating the next generation of good-paying jobs."
State Senator Steve Cassano (D-Manchester):
"I've got nearly two dozen subcontractors in my Senate District that do work with Sikorsky. The impact of this agreement goes far, far beyond Stratford. When I combine this announcement with and the number of jobs being created at Pratt & Whitney and Electric Boat, I'm looking at 25,000 jobs coming to Connecticut over the next few years. But our work isn't finished. This agreement requires Connecticut to be in the position to fill all these jobs, and right now I am doing the groundwork necessary to make sure that everyone - from our middle schools to our universities - are prepared to do that."
State Senator Joe Crisco (D-Woodbridge):
"This is the biggest thing to happen with Sikorsky since Igor Sikorsky flew the first helicopter in Stratford in 1942. It's phenomenal. I've got a lot of constituents in my district who work at Sikorsky or one of its subcontractors and they are overjoyed at keeping their jobs and seeing this company grow by leaps and bounds."
State Senator Ed Gomes (D-Bridgeport):
"I am very excited that Sikorsky, a staple of our local economy, will be staying and growing right here for years to come. This announcement is proof that when the state, businesses, and workers come together we can make smart investments to build our economy and create jobs."
State Representative Linda Gentile (D-Ansonia, Derby):
"This is very good news for not only the State of Connecticut, but especially the lower Naugatuck Valley. Both my father and my 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."
State Representative Joe Gresko (D-Stratford):
"I'm very happy about this significant agreement, and I appreciate Lockheed's commitment to Stratford. The agreement not only keeps jobs in Connecticut but also creates new ones. Along with the other good news we've gotten from Electric Boat and Pratt & Whitney, this demonstrates that our efforts are paying off as we continue to make improvements to our economic development programs."
State Representative Laura Hoydick (R-Stratford):
"Sikorsky is a vital economic hub to Stratford, the region and the state. This proposal helps keep Sikorsky in Stratford, and has enormous job creation potential. Additionally, it will potentially keep and expand the many high-paying skilled jobs in manufacturing that Sikorsky provides, while having far-reaching economic benefits to suppliers throughout Connecticut."
State Representative Ben McGorty (R-Shelton, Stratford, Trumbull):
"While the details need to be worked out, at first look this deal could have a very positive impact on jobs in the region and the state's economy as a whole, while retaining a tried and known manufacturing giant right here in Stratford. A plan that keeps Sikorsky here while expanding the jobs it creates within their company and smaller shops that supply them in the region is welcome news."
State Representative Steve Stafstrom (D-Bridgeport):
"Sikorsky is a critical employer in the Bridgeport region, supporting thousands of middle class families through their direct employment and supply chain. I look forward to supporting this deal in special session and thank the Governor for his leadership in encouraging the growth of manufacturers large and small as a cornerstone of our economic growth."
State Representative David Zoni (D-Southington):
"The proposed agreement that would keep Sikorsky Aircraft in Connecticut and create thousands of new manufacturing jobs for our middle-class workers is a welcomed development that has a significant economic ripple effect statewide. I am pleased the announcement has received bi-partisan positive reaction by our legislative leaders and I am prepared to join my colleagues in supporting the proposal when we convene in special session."
Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Catherine Smith:
"This agreement ensures Sikorsky will continue to grow jobs over the long-term and greatly increase investments in its supplier companies throughout the state. Coming on the heels of some great news from Pratt & Whitney, this shows that the state is a dynamic center of innovation for high-tech industries like aerospace and manufacturing. Companies are making long-term investments in Connecticut, and one reason is because we have a productive, educated workforce that has the skills needed by today's OEMs as well as the smaller supply chain companies. Our workers are powering the future of aerospace and manufacturing."
Connecticut's Business Community
Connecticut Business and Industry Association (CBIA) President and CEO Joe Brennan:
"This agreement is great news for Connecticut. It is important not only to keep these iconic names of Lockheed Martin and Sikorsky here, but also because of the hundreds of companies and thousands of employees who will benefit from having this production done in our state. We urge the legislature to approve the agreement in a timely and bipartisan fashion."
Bridgeport Regional Business Council President and CEO Paul S. Timpanelli:
"The long term retention of Sikorsky Aircraft in Connecticut ultimately has an immeasurable positive impact for the state, the Greater Bridgeport Region, and Stratford, in particular. The retention of almost 9,000 jobs means over one-half billion dollars in increased personal income circulation to our state. This agreement is clearly a very big success story for the State of Connecticut."
Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce President Larry McHugh:
"I applaud Governor Malloy for reaching this historic deal with Lockheed Martin to secure Sikorsky as a staple in Connecticut's economy for years to come. When it comes to this sector, companies like Sikorsky and like Pratt & Whitney are invaluable to our economic viability, both as employers themselves and to the many companies that do business with them across the state. Ensuring that they are able to remain and grow here is critical. I can't express enough how monumental this is for Connecticut."
Stamford Chamber of Commerce President Jack Condlin:
"This deal between Lockheed Martin and the State of Connecticut is very exciting news, and we are extremely happy about it. The ripple effect of positive economic impact from this industry reaches well into Fairfield County, into Stamford, and the rest of the state."
Colin Cooper, CEO of the Whitcraft Group, a manufacturer based in Eastford:
"This is a monster aircraft and likely will require additional investment in infrastructure at the Stratford facility to assemble it there. Good win for Connecticut on multiple levels."
Local Leaders
Stratford Mayor John Harkins:
"The deal reached between the State of Connecticut and Lockheed Martin is good news for Sikorsky employees and our taxpayers. Sikorsky has been and will continue to be a significant piece of Stratford's fabric for decades to come. My thanks to the Governor, our legislators and Lockheed Martin for supporting this momentous agreement."
Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim:
"This agreement with Sikorsky is a huge win for Connecticut and especially for continued economic development in the greater Bridgeport region. Not only will helicopter manufacturing jobs be preserved here for another generation, but all of the front line suppliers who manufacture key components for this cutting edge aviation technology will be able to build and grow their base in Bridgeport and beyond. This means high skills, good paying jobs that will need well educated young people from our region to fill these slots for years to come. I applaud the efforts of Governor Malloy and the Department of Economic and Community Development under the leadership of Commissioner Catherine Smith for going the extra mile to sustain and expand global premier high tech manufacturing in Connecticut. I urge the General Assembly to vote yes and keep the best helicopters in the world built right here in Bridgeport and Stratford."
Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin:
"Sikorsky may be based in Stratford, but securing and strengthening our manufacturing base is important for the entire state, including Hartford and the Hartford region. There are suppliers and contractors of Sikorsky right here in Hartford, and a growing Sikorsky opens up opportunities for the supply chain statewide."
Waterbury Mayor Neil O'Leary:
"Hundreds of residents of Waterbury and Greater Waterbury earn a solid living at Sikorsky and bring that money back to here to Waterbury to infuse our local economy and support our local businesses. In addition, this deal will bring security to local manufacturers, allowing good jobs to stay here in Connecticut. I commend Governor Malloy and his team for having the foresight to work out this important long-term agreement and urge our lawmakers to support it."
Joint Statement from Connecticut's Congressional Delegation
"This deal is a win for Connecticut, Sikorsky, and workers up and down the supply chain. The biggest news is that the CH-53K King Stallion helicopter, which could have been assembled outside of Connecticut, will now be made in Stratford. This helicopter represents the future of Sikorsky's production line, so it cements the company's presence in Stratford for decades to come. Stratford became world famous for building Black Hawks, the best military helicopter ever built. Thanks to the leadership of Governor Malloy and close cooperation among Lockheed Martin and federal, state, and local leaders, we can all celebrate that the next generation of world-class helicopters will remain Connecticut-made."
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