WASHINGTON – Today, Representative Chrissy Houlahan announced that she had secured a commitment from Sikorsky and Lockheed Martin to keep the Coatesville helicopter plant open until the existing work is complete.

“I appreciate the careful consideration Lockheed Martin CEO Marillyn Hewson and Sikorsky President Dan Schultz gave to my request that they keep the helicopter manufacturing facility open in our community of Coatesville, PA,” said Houlahan. “While I welcome the news, this decision is a temporary reprieve and our work is not done. I am concerned that Lockheed Martin and Sikorsky are playing politics with the livelihoods of people in my community who have worked hard to consistently deliver outstanding results. I am calling for a sustained commitment to this facility, not just a temporary extension driven by political calculus. Today is a good first step, and I expect Lockheed Martin and Sikorsky to work with me and the PA delegation on concrete proposals for how to sustain work at this important facility regardless of shifting political winds. The talented workforce at this facility have consistently shown their dedication to deliver Marine One helicopters on-time and on-budget, and I will work tirelessly to support them.”

Since Sikorsky’s announcement of their intent to close the Coatesville plant and move work to their other facilities, Representative Houlahan has urged the company to reconsider and advocated for the workforce in her community:

-Houlahan spoke directly with Lockheed Martin CEO Marillyn Hewson and Sikorsky President Dan Schultz in the days following the announcement and urged that they reconsider.

-After learning of the decision and speaking with Schultz, Houlahan wrote a letter to Sikorsky expressing disappointment in the decision and the fact that Sikorsky had not worked with members of Congress to identify new business opportunities for the plant as the demand for commercial helicopters declined.

-As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, Houlahan wrote legislation that required the Department of Defense to report to Congress on the impact the decision would have on the VH-92 program’s cost and schedule, as well as the network of supplier companies across Pennsylvania that support this work. The amendment restricted the Department from spending 25% of the funding for the VH-92 program until the report is submitted. This amendment was adopted unanimously by the Armed Services Committee on June 12, and the language is posted to pass the House of Representatives in the coming days.

-Houlahan has worked with local stakeholders to share information and prepare for the possibility of the decision to close moving forward

Houlahan is an Air Force veteran, an engineer, a serial entrepreneur, an educator, and a nonprofit leader. She’s in her first term representing Pennsylvania’s 6th Congressional District, which encompasses Chester County and southern Berks County. She serves on the House Armed Services Committee, the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and the House Small Business Committee.

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