Officials discuss Sikorsky site’s future
July 15 meeting covers steps to keeping Sadsbury plant open
SADSBURY >> A group of Chester County government, business and community leaders sat down on Monday with representatives from Sikorsky and Lockheed Martin at Sikorsky’s Sadsbury facility.
The meeting came less than a week after the July 11 announcement by Sikorsky owner Lockheed Martin that the plant will remain open at least through 2020, and follows a coordinated response from local, county, state and federal elected officials, business leaders and President Donald Trump — urging Lockheed Martin to reverse its decision.
Monday’s meeting replaced one that had been scheduled for July 1, but was postponed, according to Chester County Commissioner Chairwoman Michelle Kichline, who represented the commissioners at Monday’s meeting.
“The meeting included an open and honest discussion on finding ways to keep the Sikorsky operation in Coatesville open long-term,” she said. “Our task force has the skills and contacts, and importantly, the creative thinking to help review every option out there to keep Sikorsky here, and potentially even attract other Lockheed Martin operations.”
That task force was appointed by the Chester County Commissioners within a day of the June 5 closure announcement, and included state, local and federal government representatives, business and community leaders. Its mission was to support Sikorsky employees, explore plans for the site and determine the impact on the local economy and businesses.
U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, D-6th Dist. was among the attendees at the July 15 meeting. She said the meeting focused on next steps to maintaining a flow of work into the plant.
“This was the first of what I hope will be an ongoing commitment to make sure we explore all the avenues to additional work — whether it is military helicopters, Marine 1 helicopters or frankly, whether it is something different that can to take advantage of the talented workforce at that facility,” Houlahan said in an interview.
Work at Sikorsky’s Chester County plant includes: S-76 and S-92 production and completions and modifications and upgrades for the Canadian Maritime Helicopter Program aircraft. The S-92 is then completed in Stratford, Conn. as the VH-92A Helicopter — a helicopter Sikorsky has previously contracted with the Department of
Defense to supply as part of the Presidential Helicopter program.
“Obviously the commitment is to work through the pipeline and explore future opportunities and maintain the transparency that we are opening now,” Houlahan said. “And to move aggressively to take advantage of what is an eager group ready to work.”
“Regarding future work, we will continue to work with DOD, Congress, commercial customers and others to pursue additional work for Coatesville,” Callie Ferrari, Sikorsky senior manager, communications, said in an emailed response.
While the next meeting has not yet been set, Kichline said Lockheed Martin and Sikorsky are receptive to meeting and an ongoing dialogue.
Lockheed Martin’s June 5 announcement that it would close the Chester County Sikorsky facility by the end of the year sparked a rapid and coordinated response. The closure would have meant layoffs or relocation for 465 Sikorsky employees, as well as impacts to communities and businesses in the area.
Letters, phone calls and meetings quickly followed in a collaborative effort to convince Lockheed Martin to reverse its decision. That group included: the Chester County Commissioners; the Chester County Economic Development Council; Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry; Western Chester County Chamber; Sadsbury Township Supervisors; Coatesville City Council and Coatesville Area School District; the Governor’s Action
Team; the State Department of Community and Economic Development; U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, D-6th Dist., U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey R-PA and U.S. Sen. Bob Casey D-PA; state Sen. Andy Dinniman, D19th Dist.; and state Rep. Dan Williams, D-74th Dist.
“We were pushing from different directions,” Houlahan said.
“We have some of the best workforce and economic development skills and knowledge in the state — even the nation — and we have a bipartisan collaboration of federal, state and local officials with the same focus of keeping and potentially growing Lockheed Martin’s presence in the county. Together with these partners we will keep this conversation — and actions — going,” Kichline said
She added that the task force can offer practical support and funding for retooling the facility and retraining the workforce if that’s what will be needed to keep the plant in operation.
“Every job is precious in the community, and as long as we can maintain these quality jobs it’s a good day. I know how hard it is to maintain a pipeline of work. That is why it’s important that we take the opportunity to work with all the players to move it forward,” Houlahan added.
In response to the Sikorsky closure, Kichline said, the task force is starting to reach out to other significant employers in Chester County to encourage them to work together to discuss market influences and business challenges to stay ahead of potential issues.