MIDDLETOWN, Conn. — Pratt & Whitney, one the world's most prominent jet engine manufacturers, is doing its best to best to honor its employees while also helping the local economy take off.
During the holidays, Pratt & Whitney purchased gift cards for its employees in East Hartford and Middletown, including over 1,400 Middletown Downtown Business District Gift Cards for their Middletown plant team.
"We thought if we keep this focused on the locally owned restaurants, the mom-and-pop shops, it was so publicized how they were struggling, this would kind of be a win-win for everybody," said Heather Summerer, a Pratt & Whitney spokesperson.
"Pratt and Whitney has been an unbelievable corporate citizen in many things they do," said Larry McHugh, President of the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce. "Our holiday on Main Street. Our business education program. We run a huge career fair through their support."
Pratt spent over $22,000 on just the Middletown cards.
Among the Middletown businesses benefiting from Pratt's philanthropy is Amato‘s Toy and Hobby, which, fittingly, got its start 81 years ago with model airplanes.
"Customers actually that either work at Pratt or had family members that work for Pratt and actually I had family members that work for Pratt," said Diane Gervais, the owner of Amato’s Toy & Hobby.
Companywide, Pratt & Whitney handed out $15 gift cards to nearly 10,000 employees in 10 different plants.
"We also get employees in three of those states the opportunity to if they didn’t want to take the $15 they could donate it back to a local food bank," said Summerer.
The card, which acts like a credit card, without fees, entitles the bearer to use the card in nearly 100 businesses.
"This was an unbelievable positive shot in the arm for I think all of the businesses throughout the county, not just in Middletown," said McHugh.
And businesses believe it’s likely Pratt employees won’t just spend the $15 bucks on the gift cards.
"When the employee comes in, they’re usually buying more than just lunch for themselves," Summerer said. "They could be buying takeout for their whole family."
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