Hogsett ‘Pleased’ With Carrier Reimbursement
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett says he plans to use the $1.2 million in tax abatements being returned to the city by the parent company of Carrier Corp. to assist displaced workers and their families. However, the mayor says he’d like to see that money returned sooner rather than later.
Hogsett says he was pleased to hear the city is being reimbursed and is calling on Connecticut-based United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) to return the money within the next 30 days. UTC is also the parent company of United Technologies Electronic Controls Inc. in Huntington.
UTC previously announced it is moving its manufacturing operations in Indy and Huntington to Mexico, leaving 2,100 employees out of work. Following a meeting Wednesday with UTC officials, Pence announced UTC would maintain 400 jobs between the two cities.
"While I am disappointed by the lack of communication from Carrier’s management to our Carrier Task Force, it will continue to marshal resources to assist the hardworking families affected by this terrible decision," said Hogsett. "By immediately following through on this agreement with the governor, we will be able to invest this $1.2 million toward efforts to prepare these workers for the next chapter of their careers."
Hogsett added his office has launched a website for the Carrier Task Force. The site will "serve as a one-stop clearinghouse for information and resources available to affected workers and their families."
The mayor created the Carrier Task Force through an executive order following the announcement of the Carrier plant closure.