MassMutual Plans to Leave Enfield Campus

ENFIELD, CT — MassMutual, one of Enfield's largest employers and historically the top taxpayer on the town's grand list, has announced it intends to close its campus at 100 Brightmeadow Boulevard by 2021 and expand operations at its Springfield, Mass. base, and in the Boston area.

A company spokesman told WTNH-TV the plan is to move most of the nearly 1,500 workers from the Enfield facility to headquarters. Head of media relations Jim Lacey did not return a request for comment from Patch.

The 65.52 acre campus has an appraised value of $49.4 million, according to Enfield property records.

"In a lot of ways, this isn't really bad for Enfield, because it's not like the jobs are being lost," Enfield Director of Development Services Mike Ciriello said. "They're consolidating operations in Springfield, which means people will still be able to access their jobs."

In 2014, the company received a 10-year, $13 million tax abatement from the state of Connecticut for renovations to their Enfield location, which reportedly totaled $38 million.

"MassMutual owns the facility where they are currently, which means they've invested all this money into a property that is up-to-date and looking good," Ciriello said. "We can now use that as a recruiting tool, putting some prime space back on the market, which is really good for us."

Political leaders representing Enfield expressed their disappointment in the company's decision.

“I am very disappointed that Enfield will be losing MassMutual. The facility has been an economic driver with 1,500 workers,” Rep. Greg Stokes said. “Moving a few miles from Enfield to Springfield hopefully won’t result in any layoffs, but could hurt revenue and the local business environment. I have spoken with the town manager, and I’m committed to working with the town to attract a new business to the facility.”

Rep. Carol Hall added, "As a border town, we are acutely aware of the comparative advantages between us and Massachusetts. We need to think very carefully about how the policies we enact in Hartford can negatively impact employers. High taxes and costs of doing business and corporate moves such as this hurt our reputation as a place to work and do business.”

Photo credit: Enfield Assessor's office