MassMutual has announced it’s closing its facility in Enfield, and moving all of its employees there over the border to its headquarters in Springfield.
The move will affect some 1,500 workers in the town as it rolls out over the next four years.
Enfield town manager Brian Chodkowski told Connecticut Public Radio he’s very disappointed.
“They are both our largest employer and largest taxpayer," he said. "We are fortunate in the fact they are relocating only eight miles away, so our residents who do work for MassMutual will benefit from the fact they’ll be able to keep their jobs and positions with the company.”
Chodkowski said the insurer owns the Enfield facility just off I-91, which it spent $35 million to renovate just a few years ago. That means it will continue to pay at least some property tax in town.
MassMutual said that it decided to consolidate operations in Massachusetts after a strategic review. The company will also build out its presence in Boston.
"We concluded that our home state of Massachusetts is the best place for us to grow and thrive over the long term,” said CEO Roger Crandall in a statement.
State Senator John Kissel, who represents Enfield called the news a matter of great concern. "I will be contacting Connecticut economic development officials to find out why MassMutual chose Springfield over Enfield," he said in a statement. "We need answers."
The MassMutual announcement came on the same day that Governor Dannel Malloy had hoped to highlight good economic news. Technology company ASML said it will expand its operations in Wilton, adding 500 jobs.
The state of Connecticut is providing up to $20 million in incentives for the development, under its First Five Plus program.
The company manufactures equipment for making computer chips. ASML already employs 1,200 people in Wilton. The company says it will embark on a renovation and expansion project that could eventually be a $100 million investment.
