Patrick Administration Announces Latest Round of Grants to Help Massachusetts Businesses Prosper and Grow Jobs

Patrick Administration Announces Latest Round of Grants to Help Massachusetts Businesses Prosper and Grow Jobs

$5.4 million in matching grants for private sector workforce training initiatives to benefit 66 Massachusetts companies

Beverly – Wednesday, April 9, 2013 – Continuing the Patrick Administration’s strategic investments in workforce training, Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Rachel Kaprielian today announced $5.4 million in Workforce Training Fund Grants during a visit to OnBrand24, Inc., a Beverly-based call center and previous grant recipient.  These grants will enable 66 companies across the Commonwealth to customize training for 4,631 employees and create 453 new jobs over the next three years.

“The Workforce Training Fund is one of our most effective initiatives for supporting businesses in meeting the demands of a highly competitive regional and global economy by enhancing the skills of their employees,” said Secretary Kaprielian.  “Over the last several years, we have seen many companies succeed thanks to these training grants and we look forward to more companies growing and excelling through the use of our training initiatives.”

This latest round of Workforce Training Fund grants builds on the Patrick Administration’s record investments in workforce training and education.  Since 2007, the Administration has awarded $84.3 million through this grant program to 1,101 projects involving more than 1,191 businesses and 103,584 workers.

“We encourage businesses, regardless of size, to contact us to learn more about the Workforce Training Fund and how this resource can help them address their business needs,” said Nancy Snyder, President and CEO of Commonwealth Corporation which administers the funds for the Office of Labor and Workforce Development.  "We are also interested in helping small businesses access the fund either individually or through collaborations with other businesses with similar needs.”

OnBrand24, Inc., an around-the-clock call center offering global services, received a training fund grant three years ago.  Once its workforce was trained in customer service and lead generation skills, the company increased revenues by 40 percent and hired more than 100 workers.  OnBrand24, Inc. will utilize more than $173,000 in new grant funding to train 155 workers and is expected to create an additional 20 new jobs.

“If we are going to grow domestically, and compete globally, we need to have the best trained, most productive workforce in the world,” said Mark Fichera, Owner and CEO of OnBrand24, Inc.  “The Workforce Training Fund is an invaluable resource in the process toward achieving that goal and keeping jobs here in Massachusetts.”

“It’s great to see businesses on the North Shore and across the Commonwealth take advantage of state programs designed to develop their workforce and create jobs,” said Senator Joan B. Lovely (D-Beverly).  “Beverly’s OnBrand24, Inc. is just one example of how Workforce Training Fund grants can result in tremendous returns for a business and its local community.”

 “These Workforce Training grants have a proven track record of providing businesses the resources to educate their employees in areas that not only produce professional development for the workers, but also result in increased productivity and job creation for the recipients of these grants,” said State Rep. Jerry Parisella (D-Beverly).  “I appreciate the Governor’s support of these grants, and Secretary Kaprielian for taking the time to come to Beverly to highlight OnBrand’s success in growing its business on the North Shore.”

The Workforce Training Fund provides grants of up to $250,000 for Massachusetts companies to use over a two year period.

 

The following is a complete list of the awarded Workforce Training Fund General Program Grant Recipients announced today (listed by community), totaling $5,445,303:

 

City	Company Name	Amount Awarded	Projected Number of Employees to be Trained	New Jobs Expected to be Created
ASHLAND	LENTROS ENGINEERING	$73,435	42	2
ATTLEBORO	STERGIS WINDOWS & DOORS	$120,700	92	6
ATTLEBORO FALLS	DISTRON CORPORATION	$107,250	77	8
AYER	NORTH MIDDLESEX SAVINGS BANK	$72,570	80	7
BEVERLY	ONBRAND24 INC	$173,140	155	20
BOSTON	WSP USA Corp	$28,800	30	5
BOXBOROUGH	SETRA SYSTEMS	$133,800	119	5
BRAINTREE	CORCORAN MANAGEMENT COMPANY, INC.	$204,565	260	15
BURLINGTON	LEMAITRE VASCULAR	$169,852	47	5
CHELMSFORD	HITTITE MICROWAVE CORPORATION	$174,440	180	10
DANVERS	ELIZA CORPORATION	$221,500	154	15
DEDHAM	COLPITTS WORLD TRAVEL	$52,219	50	6
DRACUT	MAJILITE MANUFACTURING, INC.	$172,800	122	16
EAST LONGMEADOW	MCGILL HOSE & COUPLING, INC.	$66,500	33	0
EAST LONGMEADOW	SPRINGFIELD SPRING CORPORATION	$26,675	9	3
FALL RIVER	BLOUNT FINE FOODS CORP	$78,500	89	44
FRANKLIN	PIERCE ALUMINUM (Technical Assistance Grant)	$16,500	N/A	N/A
GLOUCESTER	FLEET MACHINE CO. LLC	$29,150	8	2
HOLYOKE	ENVIRONMENTAL INTEGRITY COMPANY LLC	$30,211	21	4
LAWRENCE	JACKSON LUMBER	$47,250	41	5
LAWRENCE	SALVATORE'S RESTAURANTS	$230,200	512	15
LOWELL	WATERMARK	$51,665	41	5
MARLBOROUGH	CANVYS VISUAL TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS	$105,035	28	5
MARLBOROUGH	OPTOS, INC.	$110,175	48	3
METHUEN	COMFORT HOME CARE, LLC	$68,280	110	5
MIDDLEBORO	LOUIS M. GERSON CO., INC.	$69,120	45	5
NEW BEDFORD	MARITIME TERMINAL	$42,400	30	1
NEWBURYPORT	ARWOOD MACHINE CORPORATION	$101,800	79	0
NEWBURYPORT	NEWBURYPORT FIVE CENTS SAVINGS BANK	$167,464	118	4
NORTH EASTON	NORTH EASTON MACHINE COMPANY INCORPORATED	$41,500	25	4
NORTON	HORIZON BEVERAGE COMPANY	$194,070	315	20
NORTON	SOUTH SHORE MILLWORK INC	$57,780	46	12
NORWELL	BLUESTONE ENERGY SERVICES, LLC	$24,500	16	6
RANDOLPH	M.D. STETSON CO., INC.	$62,400	32	2
ROCKLAND	GLOBE COMPOSITE SOLUTIONS LTD	$67,750	32	5
SOMERVILLE	GOLDEN CANNOLI SHELLS CO., INC.	$74,900	41	12
SOUTHBRIDGE	A & M TOOL & DIE COMPANY, INC.	$75,400	45	4
SOUTHBRIDGE	SAVERS BANK	$125,695	103	3
SPRINGFIELD	TITEFLEX	$56,025	109	2
STOUGHTON	PRECISION FABRICATORS LTD.	$19,800	10	2
UXBRIDGE	LAMPIN CORPORATION	$74,100	30	2
WALTHAM	DELPHI CONSTRUCTION, INC.	$43,200	44	4
WALTHAM	RTN FEDERALCREDIT UNION	$113,561	128	5
WATERTOWN	FRESH TILLED SOIL	$49,760	32	4
WATERTOWN	J.C. CANNISTRARO, LLC.	$72,700	54	4
WEST BROOKFIELD	WIRECRAFT PRODUCTS	$74,400	43	4
WEST SPRINGFIELD	HAYDEN CORPORATION	$38,825	35	1
WESTFORD	CYNOSURE INC.	$87,845	58	75
WESTFORD	FAMILY EYE CARE CENTER & OPTICAL GALLERY, INC.	$80,965	11	1
WESTFORD	MACK TECHNOLOGIES, INC	$146,425	148	5
WESTWOOD	ACUMENTRICS HOLDING CORPORATION	$100,000	45	5
WESTWOOD	FORTY SEVEN BRAND	$171,020	85	20
WHITINSVILLE	EASTERN ACOUSTIC WORKS	$81,600	48	2
Woburn	M & K ENGINEERING, INC.	$54,875	48	2
WOBURN	MADICO INC.	$71,100	135	4
Worcester	This is a consortium grant, facilitated by the Central Massachusetts Workforce Investment Board, which includes: Dexter-Russell, Inc. of Southbridge, G&F Industries, Inc. of Sturbridge, INCOM, Inc. of Charlton, Southbridge Sheet Metal Works, Inc. of Sturbridge, and United Lens Company, Inc. of Southbridge	$250,000	158	15
Worcester	This is a consortium grant, facilitated by the Central Massachusetts Workforce Investment Board, which includes: David Packard Company, Inc. of Oxford, H.T. Machine Co., Inc. of Webster, Magnetic Technologies LTD of Oxford, Schott North America, Inc. of Southbridge, Swissturn/USA, Inc. of Oxford, and T&D Specialties, Inc. of Oxford.	$189,111	135	7

 

To learn more about the Workforce Training Fund Program, visit www.mass.gov/wtfp.

Boston Mayor Walsh Presents 2.7 Billion Budget

Mayor Walsh Presents 2.7 Billion Budget;
Delivers Services, Strengthens the City of Boston


Boston—Mayor Walsh today presented the first budget of his administration, a $2.7 billion Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2015 and a five-year, $1.9 billion capital plan.  This year’s capital plan identifies 319 new and continuing projects and proposes $286.8 million in new project authorizations.  This FY15 recommended budget balances the City’s need to spend responsibly while also meeting essential current needs and building toward Boston’s future.



“While this budget reflects my own priorities, it also reflects the priorities of the people of Boston,” Mayor Walsh said.  “Since January, we have listened to voices from all across this great city, and we have learned about people’s needs, ideas, and hopes for the future. This budget is balanced, smart, and invests in the people of this city.  It invests in our children; in opportunity, in well-being, and in our neighborhoods. I want to thank everyone who has worked on this budget; this is a budget that combines deep experience with innovative ideas to produce an ambitious vision for Boston.”



The $2.7 billion recommended FY15 Operating Budget represents a 4.5 percent growth over last year’s budget, an increase of $118.2 million.  Property taxes continue to be the largest source of the City’s revenue, along with hotel, meals, and other excise taxes.  The City’s second largest source of revenue, net state aid from the Commonwealth, is expected to decline by approximately $15 million from FY14 mainly due to increased state assessment for charter school tuition.  Net state aid (state aid less state assessments), has decreased by $164 million since FY08.



The FY15 budget focuses on building toward Boston’s future:



Strengthening the Economy - Creating 21st Century Jobs and a 21st Century Workforce

A new Office of Economic Development will be charged with business recruitment and retention, and with establishing an environment that encourages, supports and promotes entrepreneurship and new business development.



Enhancing neighborhoods: the heart of our city

Boston’s neighborhood public libraries will now be open on Saturdays year-round; in addition, Boston’s Main Streets districts will see increased funding and the rollout of free public WiFi.  A new partnership between the Mayor’s Office of New Urban Mechanics and the Department of Neighborhood Development will crowdsource the way vacant storefronts are filled.



Improving Public Safety & Combating Gun Violence

Under a new cross-functional safety initiative, City departments will work together in new ways to achieve public safety goals.



Ensuring that Boston Public Schools Enable Every Child, in Every Neighborhood to Succeed

Key initiatives are supported, such as the expansion of early education (K1) seats and Extended Learning Time (ELT) sites, as well as technology infrastructure upgrades throughout the school system.



Housing that Meets a Range of Needs

A plan to guide the City’s housing policy over the next four years will be developed in order to lay out strategic and measurable goals for meeting all of Boston’s housing challenges.



Health & Human Services

A new Office of Recovery Services in the Boston Public Health Commission will play a leading role in advocating for treatment options while improving existing services in the City.



Capital projects included in this year’s plan include:

A new Dearborn School, to be built on the existing site.  This school, expanding to grades 6-12, will focus on a STEM curriculum (science, technology, engineering and math) and college readiness.
Planning efforts will envision the City’s transportation future, as a Boston Mobility and Action Plan is created, merging environmental goals with travel requirements.
Expanded teen’s and children’s areas will open at the Copley Square library in FY15, and construction will begin on dramatic renovations to the entrance on Boylston Street, the entire first floor, and Rabb lecture hall.
Design will begin for a brand new, state of the art Emergency Operations Center.
Street improvements continue in FY15 as the City will resurface 20 miles of roadway and reconstruct another 4.5 miles, while also updating 1,600 pedestrian ramps for accessibility, and repairing 400,000 square feet of sidewalk.

超越一切音樂會 4/26

紐英崙龍岡親義公所紛爭仍待社區搓和

              紐英崙龍岡親義公所自從2012年爆發選舉風波，鬧出雙胞案後，兩派人馬去年，今年都各辦各的春宴，迄今相持不下。

             劉碧枝，關麗莎，劉素嬋等人這邊，三月廿八日在帝苑大酒樓慶祝新春，席開數十桌，頒獎表揚宗親後進，中國花（China Blossom）少東趙啟鑫，推特（Twitter）的Crashlytics總經理張宗瑋。

            前任主席趙金歡支持的關美玲，劉小芸這邊，三月三十日在波士頓龍鳳大酒樓和宗親歡聚，頒獎表揚資深宗親關炳。

            兩方各自動員親朋好友，支持春宴活動。駐波士頓經濟文化辦事處處長洪慧珠，副處長陳銘俊，波士頓僑教中心主任郭大文，紐英崙中華公所主席阮鴻燦，麻州眾議員陳德基，黃子安，麥家威，摩頓市長葛帝生（Gary Christenson)，劍橋市議員張禮能，波士頓市議員吳弭等政要，嘉賓，都有邀就到的兩邊不得罪。

            兩派人馬在過去這兩年間，分別向美洲龍岡親義公所陳情，各憑關係地爭取支持。一度美洲龍岡親義公所主席因與關麗華熟稔，支持關美玲這邊。劉碧枝這方次年多人參加懇親會，爭取到美洲龍岡親義公所撤回支持。世界龍岡親義公所的世界各地三十七個龍岡親義公所名單，也把紐英崙龍岡親義公所的主席欄留白，以示此事仍待紐英崙自行解決的心意。

            根據紐英崙龍岡親義公所財政二年前的資料，在雙胞事件未發生前，該公所共有79名登記有案的會員，銀行戶口共有約六萬元為自置物業儲備的經費。 銀行搞不清楚誰才有資格動用該筆款項，凍結了該戶口。如今雙方各聘律師打官司，但法官也認為這是家務事，不急著處理。

            部分社區人士表示，華埠社區內許多慈善服務機構都因為近年來的經濟不景，經費來源頓減，捉襟見肘。紐英崙龍岡親義公所兩方用來打官司的錢，若捐給為華埠民眾服務的機構，才花得更有意義。

                   

圖片說明：

            麻州眾議員黃子安（右一），陳德基（左一）頒發表揚撞給紐英崙龍岡親義公所，由劉碧枝（左二），關麗莎（左三）代表接受。兩名州議員另頒表揚狀給張宗瑋（右二），趙啟鑫（右三）。（菊子攝）

            劉素嬋（左一），關麗莎（左二），劉承徳（左三），趙啟超（左六），劉碧枝（右四）等人向出席者敬酒。（菊子攝）

            關美玲（前右三），劉小芸（前右一），關麗華（前左三），劉華全（後右二）等人向出席者敬酒。（菊子攝）

            波士頓市議員吳弭（左二）頒發表揚狀，趙寶新（左起），關美玲，劉小芸等人代表接受。（菊子攝）