LISTEN: Gov Raimondo says Massachusetts is ‘aggressively courting’ Hasbro

Mister Potato Head greets visitors outside Hasbro World Headquarters in Pawtucket on November 7, 2018. Photo by Steve Klamkin WPRO News

Listen to “Ask The Governor: Gina Raimondo weighs in on Hasbro” on Spreaker.  

PAWTUCKET, R.I. (AP) – Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo says Massachusetts officials are “aggressively courting” Pawtucket-based Hasbro, to lure the toy company across the border.

The Democrat told WPRO’s Gene Valiceni on Monday that she’s confident the company will stay in Rhode Island and she’ll do everything she can to ensure it does.

She says Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien has been publicly critical of Hasbro and that isn’t helpful because businesses want a partner in government.

Hasbro employs more than 1,000 people in Rhode Island. It’s evaluating several options for its corporate headquarters.

Raimondo says company executives’ prioritize having access to a talented workforce and they can get that in Rhode Island for “a fraction of the price” of Boston, or elsewhere in Massachusetts.

Raimondo says Hasbro was founded in Rhode Island and belongs in Rhode Island.

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