State Gives $82,000 to Local Business for Training

The following was submitted by the Patrick-Murray Administration:

The Patrick-Murray Administration announced $11,382,220 in Workforce Training Fund grants to 138 Massachusetts companies, including Kiva Systems of North reading. The grants, which support up to two years of training, will create approximately 1,700 new jobs and train a total of 13,000 workers.

"To compete in the global economy, we must continuously invest in our workforce and I am proud to give thousands of our workers the chance to improve their skill sets," said Governor Deval Patrick. "Because of innovative programs like the Workforce Training Fund, Massachusetts continues to lead the nation out of the global economic recession.”

Employees are receiving training in diverse areas such as customer service, sales, machining, milling, robotics, project management, injection molding and computer technology.

“Our Administration works with companies through the Workforce Training Fund to provide their employees with essential job skills to cultivate a more effective workplace,” said Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray. “With this training, companies create greater efficiencies in doing business, leading to more opportunities for new jobs, increased work capacity and business growth.”

Employers project that these training funds will help produce 1,700 new jobs. The Patrick-Murray Administration has invested over $64 million through the Workforce Training Fund to train over 85,000 workers across the Commonwealth in a range of critical and emerging industries since 2007.

“We are committed to helping employers and our workforce with this program and are pleased to see a wider variety of businesses applying for these grants,” said Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Joanne Goldstein. “We look forward to new and robust rounds of applications with approximately $18 million in funds for the coming year.”

The fiscal year 2012 budget established the Workforce Training Fund as a trust fund, allowing for collection and disbursement of funds as needed by businesses, rather than on an annual appropriation cycle.

“To start, the grants are available on a rolling basis,” said President and CEO of the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development's Commonwealth Corporation Nancy Snyder. "Businesses can apply when they are ready rather than in accordance with an application deadline. We also revised forms and policies to make it easy for small businesses to jointly apply for a grant.”

“I applaud the Patrick-Murray Administration for their efforts in securing over $11 million in workforce training funds,” said Speaker Robert DeLeo. “During this blue collar depression, it remains infinitely important to focus on job creation in the Commonwealth.”

"These grants will give employers across the Commonwealth the resources they need to help create jobs and provide workers with additional training," said Senator Karen Spilka. "As our economy continues to grow, this program will ensure we have a trained and highly skilled workforce to help Massachusetts maintain its competitive edge and remain as a leader in these cutting-edge industries."

"Workforce training funds are an investment in our people and our future," said Senator Dan Wolf. "And with the Trust Fund's creation, hands-on support can be distributed in a more timely fashion, when and how it's needed, proof positive that job creation remains our top priority."

Next year’s Workforce Training Fund will have approximately $18 million in grants available and any business that pays into it is eligible to apply for one. Program options include matching grants, off-the-shelf trainings for small businesses and new worker training grants for veterans or individuals who have been unemployed for at least six months. Workforce Training Fund grants are available for up to $250,000. Small businesses are especially encouraged to collaborate and apply. Additional information regarding the application process and options is available at www.mass.gov/wtfp.

Since January 2011, 138 companies from throughout the Commonwealth have been awarded a total of $11,382,220.25 in Workforce Training Fund General Program grants from the Workforce Training Fund to provide skills training to their workers. 13,796 workers will participate in skills training activities.

North Reading

• Kiva Systems $82,640

Agawam

• OMG, Inc., $49,748.00

• MicroTest Laboratories Inc., $134,982

Amesbury

• LeBaron Bonney Company, $36,200

Andover

• WSI Corporation, $152,275            

Arlington

• American Alarm & Communication, $56,805    

Attleboro

• Brainin Advance Industries LLC, $128,400       
• E.A. Dion, Inc., $168,600

Auburn

• Auburn VNA Health Network, $35,010

• Braden Manufacturing (DBA Consolidated Fabricators), $64,415    
• R H White Companies Inc., $125,649     

Avon

• Aqua-Leisure Indus, Inc., $44,820

Ayer

• Ayer Moving & Storage Co., $24,000

• Optometrics Corporation, $70,504           

• Associated Environmental Systems, Inc., $29,712
• Catania Spagna Corporation, $32,400
• Cains Foods LP, $46,200

Bedford

• SoundBite Communications Inc., $55,000        

Beverly

• Communications & Power Industries Inc., $243,400   
• Delta Electronics Mfg. Corp., $144,000  
• Onbrand24 Inc., $95,700   
• Sensitech Inc., $98,024     

• Spinefrontier, Inc., $30,600

Billerica

• AMA Transportation Co. Inc., $43,215
• Parisi Associates, $37,040
• Tark, Inc., $36,000
• NEXX Systems, Inc., $42,765

• Volcano Corp, $125,542    

Boston

• ABNote USA, Inc., $47,232.00

• EnerNOC INC, $249,498
• Stellar Restaurant Group (DBA Boloco), $130,900      
• Sullivan & McLaughlin Electrical Contractors Inc., $179,600

Boxborough

• Light Tower Management Inc. (DBA Lightower Fiber Networks), $101,692

Braintree

• Integrated Building Maint (DBA Integrated Builders), $42,600
• Dellbrook Construction, LLC, $43,800

Brockton

• Bridgewater Goddard Park Med Association Inc. (Signature Healthcare), $164,470
• Crescent Credit Union, $67,076
• Metro South Chamber of Commerce, $249,234
• SIE Computing Solutions Inc., $122,002

Brookline

• Longwood Events Inc., $99,500   

Burlington

• dataCon, Inc., $131,500    

Canton

• Abbott-Action Inc., $69,140
• ENE Systems Inc., $100,550        

Chelmsford

• Waddington North America Inc., $216,558

Chelsea

• Kayem Foods, Inc., $114,280

Danvers

• Cell Signaling Technology Inc., $81,425

East Freetown

• HTP Inc., $162,925

Everett

• Arrow Interventional Inc. (DBA Teleflex Medical), $139,545  

• Market Forge Industries, Inc., $39,125

Fall River

• Pascale Industries Inc. (DBA E.Y. Technologies), $74,500    
• Spectrum Lighting Inc., $58,810  
• Steppingstone Incorporated, $22,425

Franklin

• Scholle Corporation (DBA Vacumet Corporation), $134,200 
• ZeptoMetrix Corp, $62,100

Gardner

• Garlock Printing & Converting Corporation, $201,900
• GFA Federal Credit Union, $69,165        

Greenfield

• Greenfield Community College (Technical Assistance Grant), $22,007

Haverhill

• Progressive Roofing, Inc., $37,800

Holyoke

• CMMI Acquisition, LLC (DBA Central Massachusetts Machine), $34,200
• Environmental Integrity Company, LLC, $47,850

Hopkinton

• Lonza Biologics Inc., $197,200    

Hudson

• Affordable Interior Systems, Inc., $242,100       

• Chaves Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc., $32,097.50
• Patriot Coating, Inc., $33,120

Ipswich

• New England Biolabs Inc., $55,450

Lawrence

• Affordable Computer Technology, Inc., $20,800

• Polartec, LLC, $104,940

Leominster

• F & D Plastics, Inc., $36,000

Lexington

• Vistaprint USA Inc., $172,375      

Lowell

• Enterprise Bank and Trust Company, $29,051 
• Metropolitan Property & Casualty Insurance Co., $50,940

• Metropolitan Employment Corporation of America, Inc., $21,875

• Enterprise Bank and Trust Company, $29,051

Lynn

• Sidekim Foods LLC, $72,000       

Malden

• Palmer Manufacturing Co LLC (DBA Paradigm Precision PPH), $94,670  

Marlborough

• Axcel Photonics & Sheaumann Laser, $80,200
• Blue Cod Technologies, Inc., $104,750 
• Bridge Energy Group, $51,505     

Medway

• MicroGroup Inc., $70,035

Methuen

• Kevlin Corporation, $32,091

Milford

• Seracare Life Sciences Inc., $160,300   

Natick

• Landry’s, Inc., $38,160
• Dacon Corporation, $44,975

New Bedford

• Darn It! Co., $90,000 awarded      

• Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment Board, Inc. (Technical Assistance Grant), $25,000

Newburyport

• Functional Coatings, Inc., $19,720
• Semiconductor Enclosures, Inc., $24,000

North Adams

• Berkmatics, Inc., $22,200

North Attleboro

• Metalor Technologies USA Corp, $86,400         

North Billerica

• SI2 Technologies, Inc., $16,800
• Noelle Industries, Inc., $22,800       

Norton

• Autopart International Inc., $248,744

• Quality Van Sales, Inc., $39,600

Norwood

• Universal Technical Institute of AZ Inc. (DBA Universal Technical Institute), $126,175   

Peabody

• Holm Asset Management, Inc., $20,600
• Safety, Inc., $22,068

Pepperell

• Astron, Inc., $13,552

Randolph

• Fetco Home Decor Inc., $64,395  

Roslindale

• Sullivan’s Pharmacy, $16,000

Shrewsbury

• OptiMA, Inc., $50,000

South Easton

• Holmed Corp., $59,500      

South Lee

• Onyx Specialty Papers, Inc., $136,587   

Southborough

• Massachusetts Restaurant Association, $104,088

Spencer

• Ahearn Equipment Inc., $58,855

Springfield

• Astro Chemicals Inc., $51,705      
• Mass Park Inc., $80,125    
• Northstar Recycling Group, $92,050

• Boulevard Machine & Gear, $30,200

Sterling

• Anderson Power Products Inc., $69,300
• SMC LTD, $149,675           

Stockbridge

• Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, $144,700     

Stoughton

• MATS INC, $43,890

Taunton

• Bristol County Savings Bank, $250,000 

• CBM Industries, Inc., $28,000

Wakefield

• Sciessent LLC (DBA Agion Technologies), $32,000

Waltham

• Atlas Water Systems, Inc., $70,395
• Beaver Visitec, $96,714     
• Black Duck Software, $78,550
• Integrated I.T. Solutions Inc., $75,129     
• Verdasys Inc., $75,600

Walpole

• United Electronic Industries, Inc., $23,940

Wareham

• Smithers Viscient (Formerly Springborn Smithers Laboratories LLC), $100,000

Wayland

• Candela Corporation, $114,775   

Westfield

• Dion Label Printing Inc., $60,902
• McNairn Packaging, Inc., $92,800
• NE Opco INC. (DBA National Envelope), $249,800     

West Springfield

• Hayden Laser Services, LLC, $21,780

Westborough

• J.T. Garner, Inc. (DBA Curry Printing), $38,400
• CSI MFG Inc., $48,000

Westfield

• Jarvis Surgical, Inc., $49,455

Whitinsville

• Classic Envelope, Inc., $51,675   

Wilmington

• InterlinkONE, Inc., $34,392

• Tecomet Inc., $150,208      

• Watson-Marlow, Inc., $49,060

Woburn

• Lytron Inc., $106,800          

Worcester

• Bulbs.com, Inc., $22,125.50
• Beaumont at University Campus, LLC, $50,000

• Webster First Federal Credit Union, $129,902