Duracell R&D Headquarters Will Exit Bethel, Relocate To Atlanta

BETHEL, CT — The battery bunny may keep on going, and going, but he won't be hopping through Bethel much longer.

Duracell has announced it will be moving its North American research and development headquarters from Bethel to a new technology hub in Atlanta, GA, set to open in summer 2026.

Bethel First Selectman Dan Carter said Duracell had given town officials a heads-up about the move, announced officially Wednesday, far enough in advance

"As a town, we've been planning for this," Carter said. "I don't look at this as a huge factor in our budget right now. We're not panicking."

But just don't drag it out. Future financial planning may depend on how quickly Duracell, the Town of Bethel's largest taxpayer, can sell the property.

"What happens to the building is of grave concern to us," Carter said. "We're hoping something comes in there that works well for the industrial park."

The first selectman said many of the Duracell employees who had been working out of the 142,264 square foot property at 14 Research Drive have been working remotely for some time, and could continue in the same capacity once the facility vacates. The battery maker has not made clear how many Bethel workers might be affected once the business division has been relocated to Georgia.

"Unlike General Electric’s departure, which was driven by concerns over Connecticut’s business climate, Duracell’s decision was based on consolidating operations," said Rep. Raghib Allie-Brennan, who represents Bethel in Hartford. "While Georgia did provide an $870,000 property tax break for their new R&D center, it’s important to note that Georgia taxes personal property—like equipment—at 40% of its value, whereas Connecticut exempts this type of equipment from taxation. This was not a rejection of Connecticut’s policies but rather an internal business decision."

In a statement released Friday, State Sen. Tony Hwang disagreed, calling the Duracell decision "a significant loss for our state, both economically and socially," and a consequence of "burdensome taxes and regulatory hurdles on the very companies that choose to invest in Connecticut."

The company has gone on the record that the move will bring 110 jobs into Atlanta, along with a $56 million investment.

"We're excited about the opportunities the move to Atlanta will bring and we’re confident this new chapter will strengthen our position as a global leader in the industry," said Dr. Liben Hailu, Chief Technology Officer at Duracell. "This move is a significant milestone for Duracell as we continue to drive innovation in battery technology for many years to come."

See also: Teamsters Threaten Picket Lines at 83 Connecticut Stop & Shop Stores

• Beloved Longtime CT News Anchor Announces Departure, Career Change
• Priest On Leave Amid 'Financial Impropriety' Allegations

The new R&D HQ will be adjacent to Georgia Tech’s Midtown Atlanta campus in an 18-acre multiphase development known locally as Science Square, centered on innovation and featuring more than 1.8 million square feet of lab and office space.

Atlanta officials are positioning the tech hub as a magnet for more businesses.

"Duracell is locating literally next door to the world-class talent at Georgia Tech and in close proximity to the other tens of thousands of new graduates in the region, setting them up for long-term success," said Katie Kirkpatrick, President & CEO of the Metro Atlanta Chamber, in a news release.

The corporation already knows its way around the Peach State. Its new R&D HQ will join a Duracell manufacturing facility in LaGrange, GA, and a logistics and distribution plant in Fairburn, GA.

"[The move] makes a lot of business sense to me," Carter told Patch.