GROTON, Conn. — General Dynamics Electric Boat held its legislative meeting on Monday to talk all things business for this year, including new hires.
The company is expanding faster than ever before at a time state leaders said it is crucial to global security.
The Groton-based company has been the primary builder of submarines for the United States Navy for more than 100 years. It's the largest for-profit employer in Connecticut, with about 60% of the workforce from the state.
Electric Boat said that in 2023, it's looking to hire more than 5,000 employees. It's their biggest hiring expansion to date.
Congress gave the company $13 billion for the year, and the U.S. Navy gave $5 billion back in December to make five new submarines.
These Columbia class submarines are expected to be completed in 2030 with the lead ship delivered to the Navy in just four years.
These submarines will be the largest built by the United States in history, measuring about 560 feet long and around 21,000 tons.
Congressman Joe Courtney, who represents Groton, discussed the company's role in the country's defense.
Courtney said the company's expansion and technological advances are crucial right now as all eyes stay on Russia and even China with heightened tensions.
"Sometimes I think people in Connecticut take what goes on in the shipyard a little bit for granted, and there’s no question that what’s going on in the world today has elevated the work people do in Groton really to the highest level of priority within the Department of Defense," said Courtney.
In addition to building new submarines and working to be the best in the world, workers at Electric Boat also repair and modernize nuclear submarines for the Navy.
The Navy is also invested in helping to create more suitable housing to attract people to work at Electric Boat.
For more information on open positions within the company, click here.
Lindsey Kane is a reporter at FOX61 News. She can be reached at Lkane@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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