Fasano Statement on Pratt & Whitney’s $45 million Investment in West Palm Beach Announced Today

Senate Republican Leader Len Fasano (R-North Haven) released the following statement regarding Pratt & Whitney’s announcement today that they will invest $45 million in its West Palm Beach facility.

“I fear this is another sign of a missed opportunity for Connecticut. UTC has made it clear that they believe their future is dependent on growth in other states. They are investing their capital in Massachusetts and Florida, and jobs follow where you put your capital. Of course I don’t expect a company leaving a state to criticize it; they would gain nothing from doing so. But actions speak louder than words. Companies large and small are telling us our state is not the top choice for growth. From companies as big as UTC, GE, Hallmark, and Bristol-Myers Squibb to the names you may be less familiar with like Graphel Carbon Products formerly of Waterbury and Borgeson Universal Steering Components formerly of Torrington, businesses and jobs are leaving. The more Democrats deny that reality, and the more they continue to pass policies that make our state less competitive, the more job creators will continue choosing to invest outside of Connecticut. Connecticut Democrats need to fess up to the fact that their policies, including an unbalanced state budget, have and will continue to have a negative impact on our economy. We cannot improve our state until those in power recognize the role they have played in creating hardships for businesses large and small. Democrats can’t just dismiss companies that leave saying, ‘That’s okay. They still love Connecticut.’ You need more than words of pity to grow jobs.”