. Dannel P. Malloy said the state has been preparing itself for cuts in the defense industry with two wars winding down.
Malloy was responding to Northrop Grumman's decision to close its engineering and manufacturing facility in Norwalk.
The company announced on Thursday it will shut down its Norden Systems engineering and manufacturing facility and consolidate work at other facilities in Maryland and Illinois. The Connecticut facility employs 315 people.
The only activity to remain in the Norwalk facility is a radar test range operation, which will be staffed by a team of five technical personnel.
“This decision is in no way a reflection on the dedication, professionalism or contributions of our Norwalk employee population. We have long valued these employees as an important part of our company and the loss of these employees from our team is by far the most difficult part of this decision,” Jack Martin, director of public relations for the company, said in a statement on Thursday.
The consolidation is expected to be completed over an 18-month period. There are currently a total of about 315 employees at the Norwalk facility.
Approximately 30 to 50 Norwalk employees will receive offers to work in Maryland or Illinois.
The plant has been in Norwalk since 1961, under various owners.
Malloy said the state is prepared to help its high-tech workforce make a successful transition.
