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Date: 6/8/2021
WEST SPRINGFIELD – As Troy Industries transitions its operations from West Springfield to Tennessee, reaction from local officials has ranged from frustration to disappointment to praise.
The developer and manufacturer of gun components and accessories has called West Springfield home since it was founded in 2003 but announced in May its intention to begin a “five-year, $7.2 million investment” of its new headquarters and manufacturing facility in Clarksville, TN, this month.
Steve Troy, president of the company, said, “While Troy has enjoyed a very successful period of growth in Massachusetts, the changing climate for firearms manufacturers in the state determined the need for our relocation to Tennessee to ensure the continued success of the company.”
Reminder Publishing reached out to Troy Industries for more information on the number of jobs that would be cut and if employees in West Springfield had the opportunity to retain their positions with the company’s move to Tennessee. No answer was received as of press time.
Mayor Will Reichelt said the company’s decision and the circumstances that led to it were largely beyond the city’s control but expressed cautious optimism regarding filling the facility located at 151 Capital Dr., next to the Olympia Ice Center.
“I’m disappointed they’re relocating though they mentioned it’s due to state level politics and there is not much control we have here in West Springfield over the happenings in Boston,” Reichelt said. “I am hopeful though that we can quickly find a new occupant for the building and bring back jobs to the region. We are fortunate that we are located at the Crossroads of New England with 90 and 91 intersecting on Route 5. That location is sought after by many businesses and I look forward to working with a new business in the future.”
Robin Wozniak, executive director of the West of the River Chamber of Commerce, echoed Reichelt’s sentiments, telling Reminder Publishing, “I feel any company that leaves the West Springfield business community will have an impact on the region. Jobs lost, town revenue lost, and large empty/vacant buildings make for a challenging business climate. Though, I do believe Mayor Reichelt is right in saying there will now be opportunity for another business to establish its commitment to the West Springfield business community in the available space. Hopefully sooner rather than later. The West of the River Chamber of Commerce is here to assist any business in any way that we are able, to ensure economic growth in our area.”
State Sen. Adam Gomez, representing the Hampden District, which includes West Springfield, criticized the timing and circumstances surrounding the announcement, asserting the company should have reached out to local officials in advance.
“If Troy Industries believes that Massachusetts is no longer the right climate for their business that is well within their right. However, it is deeply disappointing that they chose to vacate the state during a pandemic without contacting local legislative offices to inform them that jobs would be lost as a result.”
State Rep. Nicholas Boldyga of the neighboring Third Hampden District, which includes Agawam, offered congratulations via his personal Facebook page on the company’s post on the social media site announcing the move.
“I absolutely congratulated them,” Boldyga said. “Regardless of whether it’s a firearms manufacturer or a car manufacturer, businesses need to go the states that offer better opportunities for them.”
Boldyga he said he had not talked to representatives of Troy Industries regarding the move and could not speak on the specifics behind their decision. With that said the representative noted company executives had expressed “concerns about the state’s prohibitive laws” when he had toured the facility a couple of years ago. He said the loss of jobs and tax revenue should be a message to legislators and suggested some have been disingenuous.
“You can’t file restrictive legislation and then act surprised when manufacturers go elsewhere. There are some who want to have their cake and eat it too and you can’t do that,” he said. “I think there are some who don’t want guns or don’t want certain kinds of guns who act shocked when employers like Troy or Smith & Wesson look to move to other states. If you don’t want gun manufacturers in the state, you should just be honest about it.”
Sixth Hampden District state Rep. Michael Finn did not respond to a request for comment as of press time.