General Electric’s CEO said the company will decide in the fourth quarter of this year whether to move out of Connecticut.
Jeff Immelt spoke publicly for the first time about the possibility of the relocation in an interview on CNBC.
"We've been there 40 years, right, so we'd never do anything like this carelessly or casually," Immelt said, "but we're also quite intent on being aligned with where we go."
GE first announced it was looking at a move during the state’s budget negotiations last spring. During the interview, Immelt did not confirm that the company will definitely relocate, but he outlined what they’re looking for.
"We want to be some place where people support job creation, where it's attractive to talent, good cost of living, and it is very supportive in terms of what a high-tech exporter has to be all about," Immelt said.
Dallas, Atlanta, and Westchester, New York have all been mentioned as possible destinations for the company. Ten states are known to have contacted GE with relocation offers. Its corporate headquarters in Fairfield currently employs 800 workers.
Republican lawmakers in Connecticut have renewed their call for a special session to discuss business taxes and the need to retain corporations like GE.
