City officials ‘disheartened' by Pfizer closure

New London — City officials knew Pfizer Inc. was contemplating a major decision, but it still stung this morning when the pharmaceutical giant announced it was closing its New London headquarters and relocating its workforce of 1,500 to Groton.

"I'm deflated, disheartened, all those adjectives, today," said City Councilor Rob Pero.

"I'm very disappointed ... and quite surprised." said Councilor Margaret Curtin, who owns a taxi cab company. "I've been talking to people that I drive in my cab and they have all been concerned."

She worried what would become of the sprawling 24-acre site on Pequot Avenue.

"I don't know what they they're going to do with that building," she said.

Pfizer is the city's largest taxpayer.

Mayor Wade Hyslop, who met last month with a Pfizer official who assured him he would let him know when a major decision was coming, was also surprised.

"I'm very sorry to hear they are closing," he said. "I wish there had been something we could have done to keep them here."

But not everyone was shocked by the news. Councilor Michael Buscetto III said companies throughout the country are adjusting and reacting to the economy.

"I'm not surprised," he said. "They're an organization that has been trying to downsize, trying to find their place in the world, buying companies, shifting focus." The city has an opportunity to market itself, he said.

"It's a good place to raise a family. It's filled with good housing and volunteers,"' he said. "We have to influence people to come here not only to work, but to live."