Governor Rell Announces $ 3 Million Loan to Unilever for Logistics Consolidation, R&D Expansion
Governor M. Jodi Rell announced that a $3 million loan to help Unilever United States consolidate its logistics operations at its Trumbull campus and expand the research and development facility there is expected to gain approval when the state Bond Commission meets January 25.
Unilever United States is the American arm of the multinational corporation Unilever, which is headquartered in both London and Rotterdam. The company manufactures a wide range of food, home care and personal care products including such well-known brands as Lipton teas, Skippy peanut butter, Q-Tips cotton swabs and Snuggle fabric softener.
The state loan will be used toward the $6.3 million costs involved in moving current logistics operations in Illinois and Clinton, Connecticut, to Trumbull, and expanding the R&D facility in Trumbull.
“This project is a victory for Connecticut on several fronts, including retaining the quality jobs we currently have and adding new ones,” Governor Rell said. “Through these moves we will be keeping about 150 logistics and 350 R&D employees already in Trumbull, along with 130 logistics workers who will transfer from Clinton to Trumbull. Moreover, the project will bring more than 100 new jobs to the state. Altogether, it keeps 660 jobs we already have and creates 116 new ones – a sizable accomplishment.”
The terms of the 10-year loan call for an interest rate of 2.5 percent, with interest payments only during the first two years. The company is eligible to have $1.5 million of the loan forgiven if it meets the job creation target.