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）

哈佛本科生將辦會議紀念天安門事件25週年

一群哈佛大學本科生將於四月廿六日（週六）早上九點至下午六點，假哈佛大學波約斯頓廳（Boylston Hall），以“天安門運動的歷史與記憶”為主題，舉辦會議，紀念天安門事件二十五週年。
            這群學生幾乎都是何曉清博士所開，“有目標的反叛: 天安門運動的歷史與記憶”這堂課的學生。         

他們在公佈會議的新聞稿中表示，直到今天，天安門運動在中國大陸一直是被禁止的話題，但他們在該堂課中，讀了有關天安門民主運動的原始材料，聽了當年學生參與者的自述，查閱了哈佛燕京圖書館的天安門檔案，還通過表演來重現1989年6月3日那晚的歷史場面，想像當年和他們一樣年青的那些示威者的真切感受。他們提出許多問題，在辯論與思考中學習。

他們從自己的經驗判斷認為，只要有信息自由和探索自由，年輕人可以對歷史真相做出自己的判斷。

他們表示，選擇在4月26日這天舉行會議，是因為在1989年的4月26日這天，《人民日報》首次刊登社論，把學生的示威活動定性為反黨反社會主義的、有組織、有預謀的動亂，也讓這一天成為歷史上很重要的一天。

該會議將由教授們主持，學生宣讀論文。應邀演講者包括當年華爾街日報、華盛頓郵報、以及新聞周刊駐北京的首席記者，被坦克壓斷雙腿的倖存者方政，被北京市民救護的香港學生李蘭菊，曾任趙紫陽總理講話稿撰寫人的吳國光教授，以及裴敏欣教授和Arthur Waldon教授等。

會議中還將會有學生自編自演的節目，曾為劉曉波獲諾貝爾和平獎在2010年的頒獎儀式上演奏的哈佛校友、小提琴家張萬鈞（Lynn Chang ）也將參加演出。
            查詢會議詳情，可上網http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/~tiananmen/。

羅島華協宣佈十一名獎學金得主

羅德島華人協會（RIACA）昨（八）日宣佈該會獎學金十一名得主，訂四月十九日（週六）在普塔基市中國飯店頒獎，並邀國際領袖基金會董事會主席徐紹欽做典禮主講人。

今年是羅德島華人協會第二度頒發獎學金。該會的九人獎學金委員會經過仔細審核後，評選出十一人，頒給每人一千元至三千元不等的獎學金。

羅德島華人協會表示，該會設立的獎學金，以即將高中畢業，升讀大學的年輕學子為對象，旨在鼓勵他們專精學業，並在參與課外活動時，為社區服務，培養領導力，並加強了解中國文化、傳統。

該會遵循全國性標準，組成九人獎學金委員會，由強森威爾士大學國際入學許可部主任章賢信，羅德島大學教授孫琰擔任正、副主席，審閱所有的申請文件，並邀達到要求者面試。

得獎學生分別為南京士城（South Kingstown）高中楊文迪，普域敦斯古典高中萬楨，北亞特博洛（Attleboro）高中李雙喜，衛克菲爾德（Wakefield）Prout學校崔杰瑞，東格林威治高中沈从然，詹林，聖瑪麗學院武欣怡，林肯高中程欣悦，惠樂（Wheeler）學校陳養卉，巴靈頓高中孫芳傑等人。

羅德島華人協會訂四月十九日（週六），以“參與服務（Involvement and Service）”為主題，在羅州普塔基市(Pawtucket)中國飯店（China Inn)舉行頒獎典禮，並將邀請國際領袖基金會董事會主席徐紹欽（Paul Hsu）做主題演講人。

第23屆全美青少年國畫書法比賽 4/15 截止收件

中華表演藝術基金會主辨的「第23屆全美青少年國畫書法比賽」，訂四月十五日截止收件。

中華表演藝術基金會今年的全美青少年國畫書法比賽，仍以青少年為主要對象，並增加了十八至二十二歲大專組，以鼓勵更多青年把學習傳統中國國畫，書法，培養成終身愛好。

該會表示，所有參賽作品必須在四月十五日前寄達，預定四月廿六日（週六）上午，在麻州牛頓市僑教中心公開評審。所有參賽作品也將從四月25日起至五月3日止，在同一地點展出。

本屆比賽將敦聘擔任評委的藝文界書畫專家，包括朱蓉、陸惠風、白謙慎、馬清雄、鍾耀星、高靜華、阮圓、謝茵等八人。「譚嶽泉蕭運貞文教基金」將提供贊助。

中華表演藝術基金會會長譚嘉陵表示，該會已連續廿二年舉辦這一比賽，旨在提高海外華裔青少年學習中國傳統文化的興趣。估計今年仍會有全美十餘州，近300件作品參賽。

根據往年經驗，許多參賽作品都是各地學校，畫會的比賽優勝作品，不少地方還因為這一比賽，成立書畫學苑。學生也把參賽成績作為申請大學的才藝資料。

            今年的比賽，仍將分成國畫及書法兩組，再依年齡各分四組。甲(九歲以下)，乙(十至十三歲)，丙(十四至十七歲)，丁(十八至二十二歲)。

每組將選出金、銀、銅獎三名，頒給獎狀，金牌，另發獎金80元。

國畫乙組因參加人數眾多，將另增取佳作三名。入選作品由主辦單位負責裝裱後放上網頁，並在大波士頓地區學校及圖書館展出之後，退還各校聯絡人轉給作者。

            參賽作品必須使用宣紙，不必裝裱。題材不限，以不涉政治為原則。尺寸最小為11”x17”，最大不限。每人可送二件作品參賽，也可同時參加國畫及書法組(最多四件)。參賽不收報名費，要求退件者須繳交每件作品六美元的手續費。

各參賽作品需在背面註明中英文姓名、生日、年齡、 電郵地址（Email），以及就讀學校的中英文校名。除丁組外(可直接寄送)由各校統一收件，並列總名單一份，及聯絡人姓名、電話、電郵，並於四月十五日，截止收件前，寄交中華表演藝術基金會會長譚嘉陵。（Dr. Catherine Tan Chan, Foundation for Chinese Performing Arts, 3 Partridge Lane, Lincoln, MA 01773)字﷽﷽﷽﷽﷽﷽﷽﷽﷽﷽﷽﷽﷽：﷽﷽﷽﷽﷽﷽﷽﷽。查詢可洽 781-259-8195，或發電郵Foundation@ChinesePerformingArts.net，或上網www.ChinesePerformingArts.net。