Governor Rell Asks Navy to Give Connecticut Firms

Preference for State-Funded Work on Groton Base

            Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced she has written U.S. Navy Secretary Raymond E. Mabus Jr. asking that, if possible, Connecticut firms be given preference for the work created by two state-funded projects to be built at the submarine base in Groton.

            Governor Rell announced in September that the state was contributing $7.65 million for the construction of a diving support facility and a new boiler at the base – the first time ever that a state fully funded construction projects on a Navy base. The projects will greatly enhance the military value of the base, which accounts for about 15,000 jobs and a $3 billion annual economic impact in Connecticut.

            “The Groton base is an absolutely essential component of our state’s economy – and the projects we are funding are economic investments we absolutely must make,” Governor Rell said. “However, Secretary Mabus is a former Governor and I know he understands full well the value of job retention and creation, especially in these exceptionally difficult economic times. I hope he will agree that the work we are doing on the base, especially given the unique cooperative agreement that is paying for the projects, could and should go to Connecticut contractors whenever possible.

            “If these projects were funded with federal dollars it would not be appropriate to place such conditions on the work,” the Governor noted. “But because these are Connecticut bond funds I believe this is a very reasonable request to make. It’s good for the Navy – and good for the people of our state.”

            Governor Rell and Secretary Mabus – the former Governor of Mississippi – announced the Navy’s formal acceptance of the funding in a ceremony at the base on September 24.

            The first project, the design and construction of an 8,162-square-foot, state-of-the-art diver support facility, will cost $4.65 million. The “dive locker” will serve about 40 divers at the Naval Submarine Support Facility who perform submarine repair work and inspection. The facility houses diver equipment and tools and provides space for diver support such as medical, environmental, training and administrative needs and a decompression chamber. The current diver support facility, built in 1918, is in one of the oldest structures on the base.

            The second project is the design, construction, and installation of a new heating boiler in the sub base central power plant. This $3 million component is important because it will ensure reliable steam for the heat, hot water, and industrial processes used in the many and various facilities on the base. The current boilers date to the 1960s.

            The state Bond Commission approved funding for the two projects in January 2009. The $7.65 million comes from $50 million in bond funds set aside for infrastructure projects that support long-term, on-going naval operations at the base.