The New London waterfront is expected to be a busy place over the next year. With the recent announcement regarding the construction of the National Coast Guard Museum in early 2020 and the anticipated work on State Pier, the region is going to be a great place for new construction.
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The New London waterfront is expected to be a busy place over the next year. With the recent announcement regarding the construction of the National Coast Guard Museum in early 2020 and the anticipated work on State Pier, the region is going to be a great place for new construction.
Work on turning State Pier into a modern, heavy-lift facility that supports offshore wind development will provide opportunities for welders, electricians, carpenters, and numerous other trades, and this is only the beginning.
Once the pier is completed, that same skilled workforce will be needed to carry out the assembly work on the pier for offshore wind turbines, promising an economic return for at least the next decade.
Recent excitement and discussions have caused us to lose sight of one of the most important benefits that will come with revitalizing State Pier as a hub of the northeastern U.S. offshore wind industry: Jobs.
Local manufacturers and suppliers have already begun laying the groundwork for developing and supporting a local offshore wind supply chain. As more states move forward on their commitments to renewable energy there will be increasing opportunities for offshore wind development, which means more activity at State Pier and greater incentives for offshore wind suppliers and manufacturers to come to southeastern Connecticut and put down roots. Throughout this entire, multi-decade-long process, there will be opportunities for all craftspeople to build, renovate and work as we construct a truly modern waterfront.
There is too much at stake to let politics stand in the way of developing good jobs for our hardworking people, and I want to thank Gov. Lamont for keeping the State Pier deal on track.
The opportunities that will come from an entirely new industry for our region can have incredible impacts in terms of economic growth and visibility. Connecticut is in a position to be a leader in the offshore wind industry, and businesses will flock to the region and add to the local supply chain, bringing more jobs to our region and reducing the need to import turbine components.
For too long people have talked about New London’s potential, and never before has the city been in a position to seize that opportunity and develop its waterfront. The city is already building new apartments downtown, it has the space, the community, and the world-class access to education.
The last piece we need is the job opportunities to truly propel the region forward as the economic center of southeast Connecticut.
It’s time for New London to utilize its potential. The start of construction on the Coast Guard Museum, long viewed as another missed opportunity in New London, is another indication that the region is ready to take a major step forward in development.
Keith Brothers is the business manager of the CT Laborers’ District Council and president of the Norwich-New London Building Trades Council.
