Mayor's Community Update Week of September 2nd, 2014
UTC and Pratt & Whitney Sign Historic Agreement
September 3, 2014 was not only a great day for the Town of East Hartford, but a historic moment for the State of Connecticut. It was an honor to stand alongside Governor Dannel P. Malloy at the ceremonial signing ceremony for Public Act 14-2. Under that historic agreement, United Technologies Corporation (UTC) will invest up to $500 million to upgrade and expand its aerospace research, development and manufacturing facilitates over the next five years. During that same period, UTC expects to invest up to $4 billion in research and other capital expenditures in the state.
Locally we will see the Pratt & Whitney campus in East Hartford construct a 425,000 square foot Global World Headquarters and Engineering Center of Excellence, while the UTRC Research Center significantly expands their footprint and undertakes a redesign to the existing research labs to create state-of-the-art research facilities.
While the company is in the early stages of planning and design for these new multi-million dollar facilities, they have their sights set on breaking ground in the spring of 2015.
This last week I met with Pratt and UTC representatives to pledge our support of an efficient town review of all construction project plans and timely inspection process by our town staff and regulatory commission members. Our support and ability to be nimble will move this project forward swiftly.
This investment and expansion will ensure Connecticut’s next generation of innovators and provide significant opportunities for top engineers and science graduates. With this new investment, it should come as no surprise that discussions are happening around further development of retail, roadway, entertainment, and housing on the Rentschler Field Campus. Seems like a repeat of the early 1930’s when Pratt built their headquarters in East Hartford and as a result, the town flourished. This time we will see positive efforts of redevelopment spring forth along the peripheral roads and neighborhoods.
Over the years ahead, this commitment of UTC and Pratt to stay and expand operations in East Hartford is great news for our community and would not have been possible without our Governor’s vision, strong leadership, and efforts.
This agreement is expected to impact over 75,000 jobs, create 1,500 construction jobs, secure the employment of our East Hartford residents, and ensure the future of East Hartford’s 87 direct suppliers and the 2,500 direct suppliers statewide as they gear up for production and demands not seen in two decades.
This project is great news for our community and communities throughout Connecticut. Join me in celebrating Governor Malloy for his vision and significant efforts that ensure companies like UTC and Pratt & Whitney prosper and expand in Connecticut.
East Hartford Golf Course Ranch House to get New Face Lift
The East Hartford Golf Course Ranch House now under lease to Billy Casper Golf Company and currently occupied by the assistant superintendent of the golf course is getting a long overdue roof repair, new siding and a set of replacement windows. This improvement project is part of the towns continuing effort to improve the overall condition of this important town asset.
Vice President Biden visits Goodwin College
and has Lunch with the Mayor
Mayor Marcia A. Leclerc,Vice President Joseph Biden, Governor Dannel Malloy
On January 28, I had the great privilege of attending the 2014 State of the Union address. I witnessed President Obama; task Vice President Biden with leading a review of federal employment and training programs, with the aim of making them more job-driven.
I returned home to set to penning a letter to the Vice President. My goal was to ensure that as the Vice President crisscrossed the country that he would not forget East Hartford CT. There are great things being done right here in East Hartford in cooperation with Goodwin College, Pratt & Whitney and CCAT. Identifying incredible opportunities in industries like advanced manufacturing where there is a high-demand for skilled workforce. Creating partnerships with schools and job training opportunities to ensure a consistent skilled workforce and provide pathways to a well-paying jobs for resident in our community and Connecticut.
On August 20, 2014, I had the distinct honor to join, Congressman John B. Larson, along with fifteen other special guests, including Governor Malloy, for a roundtable luncheon with Vice President Biden. The discussion centered around the Ready to Work: The Job-Driven Training and American Opportunity, more specifically for us in East Hartford it centered around Aerospace Manufacturing Training Programs and more specifically the new program being offered at Goodwin College. The program is a partnership involving Pratt and Whitney, the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT), Goodwin College and other workforce training programs in Connecticut.
Vice President Biden completed a review of the nation’s job training programs and became aware and interested in the aerospace manufacturing training program partnership after receipt of my letter, and correspondence from Congressman Larson, which included an invitation to witness the innovative training program partnership happening in East Hartford. For a couple of hours, Vice President Biden met with a few students enrolled in the program and other area aerospace manufacturing leaders , including Louis Chenevert, Chairman and CEO of United Technologies Corporation, to discuss and share ideas on how to strengthen and support expanding training to support manufacturing jobs in the future.
It was a proud day for our community and Vice President Biden appreciated the invitation to visit our town and meet the business partnership that developed this important aerospace manufacturing training opportunity for our future workforce.
In addition, a special commendation to our East Hartford Police Department, who assisted the Secret Service by providing uniformed and plain clothes security, traffic control, and motorcade escorts to ensure the Vice Presidents safety during his visit with us.
UConn Football Season Traffic delays
The 2014 Fall Uconn football season is underway at Rentschler Field on Silver Lane. The East Hartford Police Department is working in cooperation with the stadium to ensure traffic delays are kept to a minimum during game days. However, please expect some traffic delays on game days around the stadium and plan accordingly. For more information about game times please visit http://www.rentschlerfield.com/events.cfm
Pipes in the Valley Celtic Festival-September 27, 2014
Come on out to Mortensen Riverfront Plaza, for the Pipes in the Valley Celtic Festival. If you have never gone you should venture over to experience the spirit of the Highlands in Hartford on the banks of the Connecticut River. There will be top traditional and Celtic rock bands on two stages, Highland athletic games, step dancing, bag pipers, birds of prey, Highland cows, kids’ activities, puppetry and storytelling, Celtic food, and plenty of Ten Penny Ale! Pipes in theValley is proudly produced by The Olde Burnside Brewing Co., in partnership with Riverfront Recapture.
28TH Annual Senior Picnic -Tuesday, September 16th
Join us at the Annual East Hartford Senior Picnic, sponsored by the Commission on Aging at the Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Club, 200 Clement Road, from 11:00 AM –3:00 PM. Doors will open at 10:30 AM and lunch will be served at 12:15 PM. This year’s menu includes BBQ chicken, hot dogs, hamburgers, salads and dessert. Dale Griffith of “Into the Groove” will provide musical entertainment. Door prizes will be awarded throughout the afternoon.
Tickets are $6.00 each ($10.00 for non-residents) and will be sold at the South End Senior Center. Tickets will not be sold at the door. The theme is “UGLY SHIRTS”...so be sure to wear yours!
For more information please contact Senior Services 860-569-5659
First Annual Believe 208 Run for the Brave and Finest, In Memory of East Hartford Officer Paul Buchanan-Sunday, September 28th
Please join me at Rentschler Field on Sunday September 28th for the first Believe 208 Run for the Finest and Bravest. This run is being held in memory of Officer Paul Buchanan. The run will fund Project B.L.U.E 208 which is being established through the Connecticut Alliance to Benefit Law Enforcement (CABLE). For more information on this event and to register for the run please visit http://believe208runforthebravefinest.itsyourrace.com/event.aspx?id=3427