VIDEO: Grebien Appeals to State to Help Keep Hasbro in Pawtucket
Thursday, November 08, 2018
Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien on Wednesday announced that the city is appealing to both Hasbro and state leaders to come together — to find a way to keep the company in Pawtucket.
The press conference, which was announced Wednesday morning, was short on details — but clear that Grebien felt a sense of urgency to maintain the company’s presence in Pawtucket, following recent announcements of staff cuts — and rumors that the company is eying a new location for its global headquarters.
SEE VIDEO BELOW
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe announcement from Grebien comes after Hasbro announced global staff cuts mid-October — which were followed by third quarter performance numbers which showed net revenues decreased 12%.
Grebien on Record
“We urgently need the leadership of the Governor and General Assembly to prevent another economic loss for our community,” said Grebien on Wednesday, who said that the state’s assistance would be needed to keep Hasbro in Pawtucket — but provided little information.
“The City of Pawtucket, Hasbro officials, the Governor and Commerce are meeting to put a definitive package together to ensure Hasbro’s future in Pawtucket,” said Grebien. “The agreement to the meeting comes at the request of myself and [Central Falls Mayor James] Diossa who earlier today put out an urgent call to action to ensure the entertainment [company] remains here in Pawtucket.”
“As we did with the PawSox, we’ve aggressively been working with Hasbro to keep them here in Pawtucket but we recognized we can’t do it alone - we need a comprehensive unified commitment, a dedication of resources, creative thinking, and strong statewide leadership to join with Hasbro to protect the jobs that are here and that they remain in Pawtucket,” said Grebien.
Grebien said he’s spoken with Hasbro officials who assured him the global company would meet with city officials, Grebien admitted following the press conference that working with the private company means he had little information to work with.
“Because [Hasbro’s] private, I’m concerned we’re not having those conversations,” said Grebien of what Hasbro is seeking in a next move.
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