Senate Leadership
April 4, 2006
Williams Urges Use of Fuel Cells for Franklin Mushroom Farm
Loss of jobs demonstrates need for 'Economic Development Advocate'
State Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) today said the state should support fuel cell technology for the Franklin Mushroom Farm site. The operator recently announced it was moving out of state, due primarily to high energy costs. The decision to contract with a grower in eastern Pennsylvania will end almost 30 years of large-scale mushroom production at the complex.
"The state should step up and support emerging fuel cell technology to lower the cost of energy at such an energy-intensive operation. If the decision by the owners of the farm is final, the fuel cell technology should be seriously considered to entice a new operator to utilize the grounds and facilities," Sen. Williams said. "Back in February, I convened a forum on fuel cell technology. What is clear is that Connecticut is in the forefront of this cutting-edge technology, which is why we included it as part of our 'Connecticut Jobs for the 21st Century' plan."
According to the company president, during the past two years annual energy costs had doubled to approximately $4 million, including a $470,000 energy bill in the month of December alone.
Sen. Edith Prague (D-Columbia), whose district includes Franklin, met with company officials this week. "My sense is that if company officials had thought they had someone on the state level to whom they could turn, they may not have been as quick to contract out of state. It's a shame. Jobs are becoming a scarce commodity in Connecticut. We should do all we can for anyone interested in the Franklin Farm site."
Added Sen. Williams, "The loss of 380 jobs should be a wake-up call for the state and the Rell administration on the need for an Economic Development Advocate-a high-profile person whose office is available to businesses before they make the decision to move out of state. This is also part of our jobs plan. Unfortunately, we've had eleven years of benign neglect in the executive branch as it pertains to economic development. Instead of proactive outreach to attract new jobs and meet the needs of existing companies, our economic development agencies react only when companies and jobs are leaving the state," he said.
"Further, it should also now be clear to the administration that agricultural businesses should be part of any economic development plan," Sen. Williams said. "In the past, the Rowland-Rell administration targeted the Department of Agriculture for elimination. The 380 people losing their jobs deserve better."
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Senator Williams’ Larry Cook |
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Senator Looney’s Larry Cook |
