HARTFORD, Conn. (WTIC Radio) - To keep the future of helicopter production in Connecticut, the Lamont Administration is proposing an agreement with Sikorsky to the state's General Assembly that would maintain the aircraft manufacturer's headquarters in Stratford.
Sikorsky's parent company Lockheed Martin is currently bidding on new helicopter programs that would potentially bring up to two new lines of helicopter production to Connecticut, Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner David Lehman explained.
These programs would replace several existing programs in order to bring out about the next generation of helicopters, Governor Ned Lamont said, including Sikorsky's legendary Black Hawk.
The proposed agreement would provide up to $75 million in incentives to Sikorsky over the course of 20 years, Lehman explained, but the amount depends on the federal contracts that Lockheed Martin is able to secure.
"The money will be earned over that 20 year period through two main ways: the first of which is a sales and use tax offset and the second of which will be a payroll tax rebate," Lehman said.
Under the agreement, Sikorsky is required to keep its headquarters in Stratford through 2042. The agreement will also help sustain over 7,000 jobs in the state, Lehman said.
The Lamont Administration is expected to submit the proposed agreement to the state legislature on Tuesday for review and final approval.
Senate Republican Leader Kevin Kelly voiced his support in a written statement. "We need to keep these helicopters manufactured here, where we have the greatest workforce with skills to innovate for our future," he said.
"Our Congressional delegation joins Governor Lamont’s leadership to grow one of our state’s most important employers," U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal said in his own written statement. "I will continue to fight to bring defense work to our state, which tremendously benefits Connecticut and boosts our nation’s security."