Senator Tony Hwang Responds to Duracell’s Decision to Relocate Headquarters from Bethel, Connecticut to Atlanta, Georgia

Hartford, CT – Senator Tony Hwang issued the following statement in response to Duracell’s announcement that it will relocate its Research and Development headquarters from Bethel, Connecticut, to Atlanta, Georgia. The decision will result in the loss of 100 jobs in Connecticut.

“After over 50 years of operation in Bethel, Duracell’s decision to move its R&D headquarters to Atlanta marks yet another corporate exit from Connecticut. This is a significant loss for our state, both economically and socially,” said Senator Hwang. “We cannot continue to impose burdensome taxes and regulatory hurdles on the very companies that choose to invest in Connecticut. These policies are driving businesses away and costing Connecticut residents their jobs and livelihoods.”

Senator Hwang emphasized the need for comprehensive policy changes to improve Connecticut’s business climate. “Connecticut ranks 8th highest in the nation for the cost of doing business. Our regulatory environment is not only inefficient but often unattainable for many companies. The fact that Duracell found compelling reasons or incentives to relocate to Georgia—coupled with the availability of resources for research and development—should be a wake-up call for our state. If we are to remain competitive and ensure that companies thrive here, we must take action to make Connecticut more business-friendly.”

Senator Hwang remains committed to working on policies that will help improve Connecticut’s business environment and retain job opportunities for working- and middle-class residents.