By Steve Klamkin WPRO News
More than a month after the mayor of Pawtucket raised the alarm about the future of Hasbro, his city’s largest employer, top Rhode Island leaders meet to find ways to try to keep the global toymaker from pulling up stakes and leaving the state.
Governor Gina Raimondo met in her State House office Tuesday with House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello, Senate President Dominick Ruggerio and members of their staffs, in what was described as a strategy session to keep the company and its more than 1,000 jobs here.
“We just had a great meeting. The three of us just met to make sure we are on the same page,” Raimondo told reporters following the half-hour session.
“I think I can speak for all of us that we are committed to keeping Hasbro in Rhode Island and we want to make sure that, just like they’ve been here for 100 years, they’re going to be here for another 100 years, hiring Rhode Islanders.” She vowed to stay “in constant contact” with Hasbro executives and Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien going forward.
“Pawtucket’s taken a couple of hits lately,” said Senate President Dominick Ruggerio. “Memorial Hospital, so we’re hoping that we can keep them, we want to see what they have in mind and to try to help them out, and work in a concerted effort.”
“The governor’s done a great job taking the lead on this,” said House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello. “I have every confidence that with her personal relationships and the collaborative government that we have with the Senate President’s assistance and my assistance the governor’s going to have all the tools and the equity to go forward and get this done on our behalf.”
Grebien convened an unusual news conference Nov. 7, the day after Election Day, enlisting city officials and members of the city’s legislative delegation to raise deep concerns that Hasbro may be poised to leave the city.
“Hasbro’s relocation will have a substantial negative impact,” on Pawtucket, East Providence and Central Falls, Grebien wrote in a letter to Rhode Island Commerce Secretary Stefan Pryor dated Monday. He estimated the three cities stand to lose 1,513 jobs and more than $60.2 million in earnings.
Read Mayor Donald Grebien’s letter outlining anticipated negative impacts on Pawtucket and surrounding cities should Hasbro relocate: Letter from Mayor Regarding Hasbro 12102018
