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Interesting that they are moving to Boston. It's not the normal "want to be near the tech and bio-tech sectors and education" relocation. There must be some other factors driving this move. The Education division is already here so maybe that's a factor. Maybe the US president is tired of having to drive 90 minutes to get to Logan all the time.
Lots of marketing, logistics, sourcing jobs in this move. Lego got out of the computer game and movie business years ago licensing it instead so not tech jobs there. For those that move, commuting to a sleepy suburb via downtown Boston is going to be a shock.
I would assume Lego would still employ a good deal of engineers and designers, so a move to a more urban younger demo makes sense as compared to CT rural fringe locations.
But you are missing the point. The region does have Rapid Transit, Bus Rapid Transit, 14 Commuter Rail Lines and other transit options. Its not running great, but its still there. Its preferable to other large cities (Notably, NYC) due to its access to amenities, cleanliness and manageability. Those in addition to the intellectual property + universities, are reasons why they left. Now obviously CT, specifically Enfield cant do that, but the region does need to spruce up a bit. There are so many colleges in this part of New England and they need to work making the grads stick. Not saying do this, but an idea maybe CT should consider streamlining is to Give young people what the want... walkable cities, access to amenities and public transit. Build TOD around New Haven-Hartford Line... the rest will follow. Look at NJ, it worked here. Maybe thats an option? Idk, but CT has to get more creative imo. Im saying this because I want it to grow an succeed, not flat line.
And yes, its expensive. But like I said, Bostonians do everything in their power to restrict growth/further develop the region better. Boston will keep growing, there is no doubt about that, but the Commonwealth and the New England provincialism will keep making MA more expensive.
I’m not missing the point. Connecticut is not Boston or New York. It never will be, nor do most people here want that. We do not have the population to compete with that.
Hartford has Bus Rapid Transit with CTfastrak and commuter rail with CTrail. New Haven and Fairfield Counties have Metro North and Shoreline East. Our major metro areas have extensive bus systems. We also have been encouraging Transit Oriented Development around our transit system. Hartford, New Haven, Bridgeport, New Britain, Fairfield and Norwalk have new transit oriented developments. I’m not sure what more we can do without destroying the character we so strongly are trying to keep. Certainly State mandates are not the answer either.
And you need to look at New Jersey. It’s certainly not a state we should be aspiring to. It has lost many companies as well. Check out the links below. Jay
I’m not missing the point. Connecticut is not Boston or New York. It never will be, nor do most people here want that. We do not have the population to compete with that.
Hartford has Bus Rapid Transit with CTfastrak and commuter rail with CTrail. New Haven and Fairfield Counties have Metro North and Shoreline East. Our major metro areas have extensive bus systems. We also have been encouraging Transit Oriented Development around our transit system. Hartford, New Haven, Bridgeport, New Britain, Fairfield and Norwalk have new transit oriented developments. I’m not sure what more we can do without destroying the character we so strongly are trying to keep. Certainly State mandates are not the answer either.
And you need to look at New Jersey. It’s certainly not a state we should be aspiring to. It has lost many companies as well. Check out the links below. Jay
What "character" are you referring to here? Most of the state is raised ranches with vinyl siding and some dumpy strip malls. What kind of "character" do you think there will be when all the employers leave?
There is truth in the saying "perception is reality." Despite our state's positive economic outlook (with the massive budget surplus), the perception will remain negative with Lego and Campbell Soup/Pepperidge Farms leaving on top of Sikorsky losing their top government helicopter contract. Within a span of a few months, Connecticut's longer term perceived outlook has become less favorable for business and residents alike.
I'd prefer to see the private sector outperform the public one, too.
I had to signup because reading peoples comments about LEGO is comical. It’s not about Connecticut not having transportation or character or being affordable or anything like that.
It’s one main thing and one main thing only. Talent Acquisition. LEGO has an easy time recruiting talent because of their brand name and reputation but a very very hard time recruiting talent because of their location. A significant portion of their workforce in Enfield is from the area (Western MA, Central and Eastern CT). In fact, a sizable amount have went to High School and college in the area. The issue is getting people to relocate to the area. People that work at LEGO in Enfield with families largely live in Longmeadow or West Hartford. The single people mostly live close to the office and are not happy. Even more so after covid/remote work ended and they had to start going back into the office 3 days a week.
Hartford area CT is not a hot spot for people relocating to the area. It’s not Boston or NYC. We know it’s not. It doesn’t try to be. What it is, is a place good for middle class to upper middle class families. Families that want their kids to go to great public schools, go to a Yard Goats game, some great restaurants and settle in for 15 years. What this area is not is attractive for young talent that want walkable town centers, lots to do (culture, entertainment, sports, etc etc etc).
In Boston, after work the workers can be down by the water, go to a great bar or restaurant, catch a game, etc. in Enfield the workers can eat at the 99 Restaurant or drive home to suburbia.
Enfield currently pulls from UConn, Western New England, CCSU (mostly average schools). In Boston they will pull from Harvard, MIT, BU, BC. Kids can graduate and stay where they are with a great job. What 20 year old wants to move from Boston to Enfield area? Not many.
It doesn’t hurt that Logan airport is the airport LEGO air travel goes thru for travel to Europe. In Enfield people get mileage to travel to Logan or get a car service.
This isn’t up for debate. It’s not opinion. Doesn’t mean CT is terrible or bad. But it’s the reality for a company that want FUN all around them and a cutting edge educated workforce that is EXCITED to relocate for their job, not hesitant because of where it’s located.
The company is giving employees a year to decide if they want severance or to relocate. I suspect some will wing it and think commuting to Boston 3 days a week is reasonable. Good luck with that. Most won’t be able to afford to take the Boston job because housing and life is much more costly. Enfield will lose a lot of tax revenue and CT will lose an employer that is one of the most well known brand names in the world.
I feel bad for the 500+ people that will lose their job and likely not be able to replace the income in CT. Ask the average LEGO employee if they want a “boring” job at an insurance company. They don’t.
The Stamford region and New Haven have plenty of this 3rd class you speak of. In abundance.
Other posters who don't live in these areas may not see it or know. They just go off the usual narrative talking points when a couple of hundred jobs are moving. They jump right on it like clockwork.
CT and the town of Fairfield didn't miss a beat when GE left for Boston
Stamford region has that “in abundance” because they can go to NYC in a heartbeat.
New Haven as a city has some of that/ but not in abundance. The region, even less so.
If what you were saying were really true we’d probably see more companies relocating to Fairfield and New Haven County rather than seeing them decamp for more interesting and vibrant locales (in their own right).
As the last poster said- this doesn’t make CT terrible or bad. It just is. Being in the overtly desirable camp like Boston has its own challenges that are IMO just as bad.
Most people have notice CTs median income slip, but it’s economic relevance in the 21st century has slipped too so therefore it remains a very affordable place. That’s what happens slowly and gradually when you lose major companies. I doubt this has much impact on the typical person in CT though.
I would assume Lego would still employ a good deal of engineers and designers, so a move to a more urban younger demo makes sense as compared to CT rural fringe locations.
I presumed that was done in Denmark. If it involves engineering jobs, then it makes more sense.
Edit - just perused their available openings. Looks like there are data analytics positions in the US as well as lots of sales and marketing positions. Engineering looks to be in Denmark at a manufacturing locations.
I had to signup because reading peoples comments about LEGO is comical. It’s not about Connecticut not having transportation or character or being affordable or anything like that.
It’s one main thing and one main thing only. Talent Acquisition. LEGO has an easy time recruiting talent because of their brand name and reputation but a very very hard time recruiting talent because of their location. A significant portion of their workforce in Enfield is from the area (Western MA, Central and Eastern CT). In fact, a sizable amount have went to High School and college in the area. The issue is getting people to relocate to the area. People that work at LEGO in Enfield with families largely live in Longmeadow or West Hartford. The single people mostly live close to the office and are not happy. Even more so after covid/remote work ended and they had to start going back into the office 3 days a week.
Hartford area CT is not a hot spot for people relocating to the area. It’s not Boston or NYC. We know it’s not. It doesn’t try to be. What it is, is a place good for middle class to upper middle class families. Families that want their kids to go to great public schools, go to a Yard Goats game, some great restaurants and settle in for 15 years. What this area is not is attractive for young talent that want walkable town centers, lots to do (culture, entertainment, sports, etc etc etc).
In Boston, after work the workers can be down by the water, go to a great bar or restaurant, catch a game, etc. in Enfield the workers can eat at the 99 Restaurant or drive home to suburbia.
Enfield currently pulls from UConn, Western New England, CCSU (mostly average schools). In Boston they will pull from Harvard, MIT, BU, BC. Kids can graduate and stay where they are with a great job. What 20 year old wants to move from Boston to Enfield area? Not many.
It doesn’t hurt that Logan airport is the airport LEGO air travel goes thru for travel to Europe. In Enfield people get mileage to travel to Logan or get a car service.
This isn’t up for debate. It’s not opinion. Doesn’t mean CT is terrible or bad. But it’s the reality for a company that want FUN all around them and a cutting edge educated workforce that is EXCITED to relocate for their job, not hesitant because of where it’s located.
The company is giving employees a year to decide if they want severance or to relocate. I suspect some will wing it and think commuting to Boston 3 days a week is reasonable. Good luck with that. Most won’t be able to afford to take the Boston job because housing and life is much more costly. Enfield will lose a lot of tax revenue and CT will lose an employer that is one of the most well known brand names in the world.
I feel bad for the 500+ people that will lose their job and likely not be able to replace the income in CT. Ask the average LEGO employee if they want a “boring” job at an insurance company. They don’t.
I'm glad you joined CD and I think you speak the truth. Coming from that area originally, I agree with you. There are lovely towns in that area but no longer are there cities nearby that overflow with premium jobs. Not in Springfield, not in Hartford. Beautiful towns to live in but no fancy cities and no great colleges. Nothing very exciting to do, just lovely towns that I am now starting to worry about.
I'm glad you joined CD and I think you speak the truth. Coming from that area originally, I agree with you. There are lovely towns in that area but no longer are there cities nearby that overflow with premium jobs. Not in Springfield, not in Hartford. Beautiful towns to live in but no fancy cities and no great colleges. Nothing very exciting to do, just lovely towns that I am now starting to worry about.
Agreed, and quite frankly, we cannot compete with the Boston graduating workforce, which contains an incredible amount of top universities. Nor can we compete with that cities amenities. Being a few hours away from fun large cities does not do it for the young grads. Their priorities on non work life differ from the 40-60 year old suburban families of small towns like Enfield.
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