Senator Kissel Supports Legislation to Help Keep Groton Sub Base Open

State Senator John A. Kissel (R-Enfield) today co-sponsored legislation aimed at keeping the Groton Submarine Base open. The nine-member Base Realignment and Closure Committee (BRAC) released a list of recommended military base closings on May 13 th , which included the Groton Submarine Base. Today’s bill that passed the Senate unanimously included an amendment that would authorize $10 million in state bond money towards the base only if it were removed from the BRAC list.

“The Groton Sub Base is a vital component of the defense of our state and our country,” said Senator Kissel. “Ten million dollars is a significant investment and should send a strong signal to the federal government that Connecticut will remain committed to the economic vitality of the base should it be removed from the closure list.”

Senator Kissel also noted that the base’s economic impact extends well beyond its location in Southeastern Connecticut.

“The potential closing of the Groton Submarine Base is a matter that impacts various parts of the economy throughout the entire state of Connecticut. There are a multiple sub-base vendors in several communities I represent,” added Senator Kissel. “The towns of East Granby, Enfield, Suffield, and Windsor Locks have as many as nine sub vendors each while Windsor has even more, with between ten and twenty-three vendors. Each provides high quality parts for those constructing subs in Groton but they, as well as hundreds of others in all parts of the state would lose significant business if the Groton base were to close.”
Senator Kissel is a Deputy Minority Leader and is serving his seventh term representing the seventh Senatorial District.