Gov. M. Jodi Rell said that the chairman of United Technologies Corporation told her today that his company is under pressure from the federal government to move its manufacturing from Connecticut to lower-cost states.

Rell said she called UTC chairman and chief executive Louis Chenevert about his company's complaints to Wall Street analysts about the cost of doing business in Connecticut.

"Mr. Chenevert ... talked about the cost of contracts and how his customers, including the federal government, military contracts, are demanding they cut costs," Rell said. "In fact, they are even looking at costs in Connecticut  as compared to, say, Georgia and saying, 'You can get a better deal if this engine is built in Georgia.' "

Rell said she invited Chenevert to a meeting with her and legislative leaders to discuss the state's business environment.

"He said he would be glad to do that. But I also have to tell you that -- I don't want to say he was skeptical -- but he has met with leaders before," Rell said. "He does not feel he has always been responded to in an appropriate manner."

UTC's Pratt & Whitney Aircraft manufactures and repairs and jet engines in Connecticut, but it has steadily been moving business out of state.