EB is in the process of converting the mall to house support functions including engineering, training and software development.
Electric Boat has announced that the Crystal Mall in Waterford, which the submarine maker acquired last year, will close the majority of its retail activities at the end of this month.
EB, a business unit of General Dynamics, is in the process of converting the mall to house support functions including engineering, training and software development.
The Waterford site is about five miles away from EB’s main waterfront property in Groton.
The new facility will eventually house several thousand workers, including some new hires and some relocated from Groton or New London.
The defense contractor says the first phase of design development for the conversion will be complete this spring, and renovation work will follow, beginning at the former Macy’s location.
The Town of Waterford’s Planning and Zoning Commission approved EB’s request for a modified site plan and a permit to change the land and building usage at a meeting on March 10.
Electric Boat says it continues to work with the town on investments to improve the traffic flow, aesthetics and other aspects of the location.
EB has also announced a hiring event at the mall on Saturday, April 11 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., where applicants can learn about job opportunities in Connecticut and Rhode Island, and participate in on-the-spot interviews. The company has greatly expanded its hiring targets for 2026 as it works to fulfill Navy contracts for the Virginia and Columbia class subs.