Statement from Senator O'Mara on the closing of the Sikorsky Military Completions Center in Big Flats -- and September 26th updates on the closing's impact on local workers, communities

Wednesday, September 26th Update from:

the Corning Leader, "Sikorsky fallout: What's next for workers, buildings?"

Elmira Star-Gazette: "Rapid Response Team headed to help Sikorsky workers" & "Sikorsky to pay taxes until 2022"

Big Flats, N.Y., September 24—State Senator Tom O’Mara (R-C, Big Flats) released the following statement on today’s announcement that the Sikorsky Military Completions Center in Big Flats will close by the end of the year:

“This deep-rooted recession continues to take its toll across the nation and it’s hitting home again in the Southern Tier.  The loss of Sikorsky is difficult news during an already tough economic time.  Sikorsky has been a flagship and a mainstay of our local economy and, in many ways, it's an irreplaceable loss for this region.

“But first and foremost, we have to recognize the enormous hardship that this closing will inflict on our workers and their families.  We have to ensure that every available source of federal, local and state assistance is made available to them.  Toward that end, I will be joining Chemung County Executive Santulli and other local leaders to work with Governor Cuomo and his administration to ensure that Sikorsky’s employees will be able to get the answers, assistance and information they need and deserve.   

“It also drives home the overriding point that we need to keep taking any and all steps, at every level of government, to stay focused on rebuilding New York’s economy.  We have to keep trying to find ways to help our employers and workers weather this storm, and create new private-sector job growth opportunities whenever, wherever and however we can.”