Groton submarine-builder Electric Boat says it will hire about 1,500 Connecticut workers this year.
EB President Jeffrey S. Geiger made the disclosure Monday morning at the company’s annual legislative forum at the Mystic Marriott, according to Congressman Joe Courtney’s office. Separately, an EB spokesman confirmed the projected hiring estimate.
Counting attrition, the additional hiring will result in about 840 net new jobs in trades, design and engineering and support programs at EB, Courtney quoted Geiger as saying.
EB spokeman Timothy Boulay said another 300 will be hired at EB’s shipworks in Quonset Point, R.I.
“The strong hiring outlook for Electric Boat this year will provide a profound boost to the economy of our region and the state,” Courtney said in a statement.
Courtney is a ranking member of the House Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, overseeing submarine and shipbuilding programs for America’s defense.
According to Courtney, EB declared its investment in key submarine programs like the Virginia-class submarine, Ohio-class subs’ replacement program is expected to increase 11 percent in 2017 — to about $8 billion – vs. the $7.2 billion allocated in 2016.
In addition, Courtney said EB counts 471 suppliers across Connecticut who participate in EB’s five-year investment of nearly $580 million in suppliers and manufacturers statewide.
