Pawtucket-area lawmakers petition Governor Raimondo to work to retain Hasbro
STATE HOUSE — A group of legislators from northern Rhode Island, including the entire Pawtucket delegation, have penned a letter to Gov. Gina Raimondo, asking her to do everything in her power to retain toymaker Hasbro in Pawtucket
“Hasbro is one of Rhode Island’s greatest companies, and we want to work together with you and your administration to do everything in our power to keep them in Pawtucket where they have been headquartered and have thrived for more than 80 years,” the letter reads. “Our communities need this great corporate citizen, along with the associated jobs and economic activity, in order to grow our Northern Rhode Island economy.”
The letter goes on to say that it would be a devastating loss to the greater Blackstone Valley if Hasbro, a company with more than 1,500 associated jobs and $60 million in earnings, were to relocate.
“That is why we will continue to work hard, hand-in-hand with Mayor Donald R. Grebien and the General Assembly leadership, on a visionary development and incentive package that will not only allow Hasbro to remain headquartered in Pawtucket, but will serve as a catalyst for the continued revitalization of our city.”
The letter closes with an offer from the legislators to sit down with the governor and Hasbro representatives to get a better understanding of what issues need to be addressed to keep the company in Pawtucket.
The letter was signed by Pawtucket Representatives Raymond H. Johnston Jr. (D-Dist. 61), Carlos E. Tobon (D-Dist. 58), Jean Philippe Barros (D-Dist. 59), Karen Alzate (D-Dist. 60) and Mary Duffy Messier (D-Dist. 62), Pawtucket Senators Sandra Cano (D-Dist. 8), Donna M. Nesselbush (D-Dist. 15), Elizabeth A. Crowley (D-Dist. 16) and William J. Conley Jr. (D-Dist. 18). East Providence Representatives Katherine S. Kazarian (D-Dist. 63), Joe R. Serodio (D-Dist. 64) and Gregg Amore (D-Dist. 65) also signed along with Central Falls Representatives Shelby Maldonado (D-Dist. 56) and James McLaughlin (D-Dist. 57).