Goodrich Corp. Shifting Ithaca Facility to Danbury

The owner of Goodrich in Danbury is closing its Ithaca, NY facility and "consolidating these facilities into our ISR facility in Danbury, CT."

The move could bring 125 jobs to Danbury, said Chamber of Commerce President Stephen Bull.

The Goodrich facility in Danbury has gone through numerous ownership changes since the 1980s, when it produced fine guidance systems, the primary mirror and other equipment for the Hubble Space Telescope. The facility created the Cold War era spy satellite called Hexagon, which was actually a series of satellites launched from 1971 to 1986. The facility also produced the optics used in high altitude cameras aboard the U-2 aircraft the U.S. flew over Cuba and the Soviet Union.

"These are phenomenal jobs. They're high tech jobs and good paying jobs," Bull said. "We're sad for the people of Ithaca, NY, but this is good for Danbury."

Bull said United Technologies, which owns Goodrich, is investing in Danbury.

"This will enable ISR Systems to better serve our customers through combining our joint expertise in a much closer and streamlined working environment," the company said in a release to its suppliers. "It is expected that the Ithaca facility closing will be final by the end of 2012."

The company said the consolidation will be done without disrupting service to suppliers.