SAYS COMMITMENT TO STATE WILL PROVIDE CERTAINTY FOR SUPPLY CHAIN

(Washington) – Congressman John B. Larson released the following statement today after Governor Dannel P. Malloy joined in announcing a $500 million investment by United Technologies Corporation in Connecticut. The investment will upgrade and expand operations across the state, including major development at East Hartford’s Pratt and Whitney.

“Today’s announcement by Governor Malloy of a $500 million commitment to upgrade and expand United Technologies’ operations in Connecticut will not only keep the eagle flying; it will make the eagle soar.

“Connecticut defense and its manufacturing base are moving forward. I was proud to work alongside Republican colleagues to ensure Pratt builds the only engine for the F-35, bolstering work for a generation of machinists. We have also seen the development of the Geared Turbofan by Pratt, who have already received thousands of orders, in addition to the Air Forces Next Generation Tanker to be built in America.

"For the first time since 1983, Pratt & Whitney will see more than a 1,000 engines manufactured in 2016, representing the efforts of the hard working men and women at Pratt and the efforts of our delegation.

“I again applaud the work of Governor Malloy and the leadership at United Technologies for investing in Connecticut’s workforce and bringing certainty to our manufacturing supply chain. The announcement today brings each of these efforts together, signaling the bright future of Connecticut aerospace manufacturing."

As part of the investment, UTC has committed to maintaining the Pratt & Whitney division headquarters in Connecticut for the next 15 years. Funding will be used to develop both a new World Headquarters and Engineering Facility and a new Research Center at Pratt & Whitney in East Hartford, build new engineering labs and renovate an Aerospace systems facility at UTC in Windsor Locks and improve Sikorsky facilities in Stratford.

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