Massachusetts Governor Patrick Announces $331K In New Workforce Training Grants, Identifies Attleboro Growth District

Grants, Growth Districts key to Governor's plan to help grow local and state economies

Norton, MA (CompNewsNetwork) - Continuing to make economic development investments in cities and towns across the Commonwealth, Governor Deval Patrick today announced that four companies located in Mansfield, Norton and Taunton will receive Workforce Training Fund grants totaling $330,828 to train a total of 511 workers in Massachusetts.

Announcing the grants at the Norton Middle School, Governor Patrick said that investing in workforce training is key to his Administration's comprehensive strategy to help create a culture of opportunity focused on restrained spending and long-and-short-term investment, while preparing for the impacts of a softening economy.

"From this funding, hundreds of workers will receive job-related training to increase their skills and move ahead," said Governor Patrick.  "Achieving both immediate and long-term growth in the Commonwealth is possible when we make targeted investments like these."

The Workforce Training Fund (WTF), administered by the Department of Workforce Development, under the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, provides business and labor organizations with matching grants of up to $250,000 or more in certain cases to finance incumbent worker training.

Area companies receiving grants include:

" Creative Services, Inc., Mansfield     $43,200 to train 38 workers in Continuous Improvement concepts to maximize organizational effectiveness.
" Hallsmith-Sysco Food Services, LLC., Norton   $232,192 to enhance the skills of 415 workers in management, team building, sales and plumbing/heating. Training will focus on developing transferable skills such as effective communication, mentoring and motivating, and working through change.
" CBM Industries, Inc., Taunton    $22,436 to train all 18 employees on the tools and processes of Lean Manufacturing, in order to reduce waste and increase competitiveness.
" Kopin Corporation, Taunton    $33,000 to train 40 workers in Lean Manufacturing concepts, 8-D Problem Solving methodology and working effectively in a High Powered Work Team.

Governor Patrick also announced that the Attleboro Industrial Park has been identified as a municipal growth district, enabling the state to make targeted areas "development ready" and expediting commercial and residential development in the area.

"Growth Districts are hubs of economic growth and housing development across the Commonwealth," said Governor Deval Patrick.  "By identifying districts, such as the Industrial Park in Attleboro, and focusing our collective resources on making each one development-ready, we are creating the conditions for business growth and community revitalization for years to come."

The Attleboro Industrial Park offers 21-day local permitting and is anticipated to add 2,000 jobs at full buildout. Two new tenants have recently signed on: Needletech and Automatic Machine.  Needletech will break ground in the summer and expects to add 50 new employees to their already existing 150 employee workforce. Automatic Machine is also currently located in Attleboro and are relocating and expanding into the business park.  Automatic Machine will break ground in the fall and will maintain its 80 employees with the hopes of expanding the workforce in the future.

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