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Local Federal Officials Push For Harris To Add Jobs In Rochester

Harris Corporation

Two  local federal representatives are pushing for Harris Corporation to add jobs in Rochester after the merger with Exelis is completed. That deal is scheduled to close on Friday

Both companies have a strong local presence in Rochester, with Harris employing about 2100 people in its RF Communications division  and Exelis  around 1300 in its geospatial systems division. Harris is acquiring Exelis in a deal valued at more than $4.5 billion.

Congresswoman Louise Slaughter has written to Governor Cuomo urging him to help her with an effort to bring 100 to 200 out-of-state jobs to the greater Rochester area at Harris. Slaughter says that Harris is in the process of applying for aid through New York’s Empire State Development agency.

Senator Charles Schumer says he spoke this week with Harris CEO Bill Brown  who told him he does not forsee the merger resulting in layoffs in Rochester and is willing to take up the challenge of adding jobs here. Schumer says Harris and state officials will meet at his Rochester office to talk about that.

Randy Gorbman is WXXI's director of news and public affairs. Randy manages the day-to-day operations of WXXI News on radio, television, and online.