UTRC and Pratt & Whitney are the Fabric of East Hartford's Future
Last month, I attended the opening of the new and expanded $60 million state-of-the art innovation hub, United Technologies Research Center (UTRC). As I sat in the beautiful new entrance of the renovated building, I listened to the descriptions of the incredible advanced research and technology that is happening in our hometown. Vast numbers of PhD’s crowded the room and grand staircase, which led to labs with high-tech equipment and even more employees. As our Governor, legislators, and UTRC officials spoke, I could not help but to place it in the perspective of our community. UTRC and Pratt & Whitney are engrained in our history and they are the fabric of our future.
Since its founding in 1929, UTRC has dedicated itself to leveraging its scientific expertise to solve complex problems and create the future breakthroughs that will impact not only United Technologies Corporation (UTC) businesses, but also its customers and society as a whole. UTRC looks at today and, through imagination and innovation, transforms it into tomorrow. The company is involved in numerous fields of innovation including energy management, building safety, HVAC systems, and many others. They continually work to develop next-generation commercial and military aircraft systems, support the Pratt & Whitney Geared Turbofan engine, and the F135, the world’s most advanced military engine.
UTRC also announced two additional investments for the East Hartford campus. The first is a $75 million Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence and a $40 million Engine compressor Research facility. These new investments will solidify UTRC’s place as a premier center of technology and innovation and allow the company to further expand its footprint in our community. This will only serve to attract other research centers, employees, and supply-chain companies to our community and our State.
In East Hartford, we strive to be just as forward-thinking as UTRC. This can be seen in the Town’s recent focus on redeveloping and revitalizing the Silver Lane corridor. It is easy to look at Silver Lane and see only what is there. Our efforts have been focused on what the future can hold for the area.
I have assembled an advisory committee which includes engaged East Hartford residents and real estate experts to study the land-uses and transportation issues in the corridor, to develop a roadmap to a prosperous future for this vital area of Town.
We are fortunate to have UTRC’s example of innovation and focus on the future to inspire us in this important work. I want to thank and commend UTC CEO Greg Hayes and his team for recognizing the many great things our community has to offer to advanced manufacturers, and for committing themselves once again as great partners for our community. I also want to thank Governor Malloy for his foresight and leadership in passing the 2014 Connecticut Aerospace Reinvestment Act, encouraging UTC to develop and expand in Connecticut and for promoting a renewal of science and technology based manufacturing and research in our state.