SPRINGFIELD – Governor Deval Patrick yesterday morning addressed a group of business leaders, entrepreneurs and innovators gathered in Springfield to discuss his administration’s investments in education, innovation and infrastructure over the past eight years that have contributed to the growth of economic development and innovation in western Massachusetts and across the Commonwealth. The Governor has prioritized investing in every corner of the Commonwealth to ensure that students, families and business across the state have the tools and support they need to succeed.
“We are a more prosperous, more promising and more just Commonwealth for more people today than we were eight years ago,” said Patrick. “Massachusetts has become a global hub of innovation — in our economy, in government and throughout our society. That’s where our competitive edge lies and why our future is bright.”
Since taking office in 2007, the Patrick administration has made significant investments in western Massachusetts, catalyzing private investment and opportunities for entrepreneurship and innovation in the region.
Earlier this month, Patrick announced a $60 million facility that will be built in Springfield for the manufacturing of MBTA rail cars. The new facility will further the administration’s efforts to spur growth in western Massachusetts and invest in transportation. The new manufacturing center is expected to create 150 manufacturing jobs and 100 construction jobs for the greater Springfield area. Last fall, the Governor announced a $200 million investment in Phase 1 of the I-91 Springfield Viaduct project, which will help unlock potential for additional economic and community development opportunities in the region.
The Massachusetts Green High Performance Computing Center in Holyoke is supporting the growing research computing needs of five of the most research-intensive universities in Massachusetts: Boston University, Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Northeastern University and the University of Massachusetts. In 2010, the administration committed $25 million in funding to support the Center and coupled with $55 million in investments by academia and private partners, it was the largest investment in Holyoke in 50 years. The center is also the most significant collaboration among government, industry and public and private universities in the history of the Commonwealth.
In May, Governor Patrick announced $5.2 million in capital funds for construction and furnishing of the University of Massachusetts (UMass) Center at Springfield. The UMass Center houses academic programs offered by the UMass campuses in conjunction with UMassOnline and some of UMass Amherst’s Springfield outreach programs, and offers bachelor and master level courses associated with a variety of existing academic degrees and certificates that are already available to citizens of Greater Springfield at nearby locations and/or online. The center will also house selected outreach, research and economic development programs and activities. Other UMass campuses, Holyoke Community College and Springfield Technical Community College will also offer for-credit courses and workforce training programs that are associated with existing academic degrees and certificates and are responsive to the educational, economic and social needs of Pioneer Valley residents. UMass exceeded its goal of enrolling 250-300 students this fall and classes started, as expected, on September 2, 2014.
Since the MassWorks program was created in 2011, the Patrick administration has invested over $33 million in MassWorks funding for infrastructure projects for the Pioneer Valley. These state investments are yielding millions of dollars of private investment into these projects and communities, creating jobs and spurring local economies, including most recently $2 million to rehabilitate two existing buildings to create the Springfield Innovation Center, which will be located in the Springfield Innovation District and $4.2 million in funding to help redevelop the Union Station Regional Intermodal Transportation Center. Patrick recently toured the Innovation District and met with organizations and individuals leading its expansion, including the Valley Venture Mentors Accelerator, Tech Foundry and the Baystate Health Innovation Center.
In Pittsfield, through the Commonwealth’s partnerships with local officials and the business community, the Patrick administration has transformed the downtown area through innovative programs, creating units of market rate housing and 10 retail spaces complimenting the Downtown Arts Ovelray District and comprehensive streetscape program.
“Governor Patrick has implemented a strategy that has made Massachusetts a leader in the global innovation economy,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Greg Bialecki. “By choosing to invest in education, innovation and infrastructure, he has positioned the Commonwealth to continue to thrive for generations to come.”
Patrick’s leadership moved Massachusetts out of the Great Recession faster and stronger than most other states and the nation as a whole, according to an administration press release. Employment is at a nearly 25-year high in the Commonwealth, and Massachusetts has added jobs faster than the country since 2007, with the creation of 64,100 jobs over the last year alone. Advanced manufacturing jobs have grown more than 50 percent faster than the rest of the Nation and seven times faster than the previous administration.
Massachusetts is making unprecedented public private-collaborations, which are fueling growth and competition in the innovation economy. For example, the Massachusetts Life Science Center has been a catalyst for the development of the world’s preeminent life sciences cluster. Over the past six years, the Massachusetts Life Science Center has invested or committed $520 million across the state, which has leveraged more than $1.5 billion private investment for these companies and facilities.
The Governor delivered his remarks yesterday morning at the Western Mass Business Expo, western Massachusetts’ largest business-to-business trade show. More than 150 exhibitors and 4,500 attendees were expected for the show, which puts exhibitors in front of decision-makers and provides an opportunity to showcase products and services and network with representatives of every business sector. The exhibitors represent a host of business sectors, including Advertising & Marketing, Business Coaching & Development, Consulting Services, Financial Services, Law, Healthcare, Information Technology/Telecommunication Services, Insurance, Nonprofit Institutions, Manufacturing, Printing and Office Services, Professional Services, Real Estate Brokerage and Management and Tourism.
