Patrick stops by with some good news

By Chad Cain

05/01/2008- The Republican

NORTHAMPTON - Gov. Deval Patrick came bearing gifts during a swing through the Valley on Tuesday, announcing a $44,000 work-force training grant to Amherst Woodworking & Supply Inc. of Northampton.

 In a speech at Northampton City Hall, the governor also spoke briefly about the economy and named several initiatives on which his office is collaborating with the city, including the revamping of the Three-County Fairgrounds complex to prepare it for year-round use.

The stop in Northampton coincided with a speech the governor gave at the University of Massachusetts 'Founders Day' earlier in the day, and also included the swearing-in ceremony for new judge Linda Fidnik of the Hampshire Probate and Family Court later in the afternoon.

At City Hall, the governor explained that the work-force training grant funds will help train 44 employees at Amherst Woodworking in lean manufacturing concepts designed to improve the company's efficiency.

The Workforce Training Fund grant, administered by the Department of Workforce Development under the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, provides businesses and labor organizations with matching grants of up to $250,000 to finance incumbent worker training.

Patrick's announcement follows the economic stimulus plan he laid out earlier this month, when he directed Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Suzanne M. Bump to expedite the release of more than $18 million in grants to 200 companies throughout Massachusetts in order to train 16,000 workers in every region of the commonwealth.

Amherst Woodworking president David Shore said the grant money will be used to bring in an outside trainer who will teach a concept called 'lean awareness.' This involves hands-on simulation designed to help employees recognize and eliminate areas of waste in the production process. Additional training will be taken to understand flow, see existing bottlenecks, and create changes for the future.

The company must provide matching funds to receive the grant. Shore said his company's match involves pulling his employees away from their jobs for the training process.

Amherst Woodworking & Supply, which serves architects, builders, and homeowners throughout the Valley and beyond, operates two divisions specializing in the manufacture of architectural woodworking, Amherst Woodworking and its retail store, Copper Beach Millwork. The company operates out of a 33,000-square-foot facility in the Northampton Industrial Park.

Fairgrounds update

Patrick also announced that the Three-County Fairgrounds has been selected by the state Department of Agricultural Resources to participate in its Fair Improvement Program.

In the first phase of this program, DAR will provide professional expertise in fair operations, environmental assessment, business planning and marketing.

When the analysis is complete at the end of this summer, the fairgrounds will be eligible to receive up to $50,000 to make improvements to the fairgrounds identified as a priority in the analysis, said Bruce Shallcross, general manager at the fairgrounds.

Shallcross anticipates that the funds will be used to improve existing buildings and horse stalls. These and other improvements will support a master plan currently being drawn up for the $15 million fairgrounds redevelopment.

Those redevelopment plans are expected to pick up steam in the coming months thanks to several recently awarded federal and state grants. In addition to the state funding Patrick announced Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield, on Monday announced a $25,000 federal grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and another $30,000 is coming from a state appropriation that the corporation will use to create a master plan.

The redevelopment planning is expected to be finished next year, with construction on the 190-year-old institution to begin in 2010.

The fairgrounds redevelopment includes plans for construction of an 80,000-square-foot exhibition hall; replacement of deteriorated horse barns with portable horse stalls; renovation of the current 37,500-square-foot arena building; construction of additional horse show rings; rehabilitation or replacement of the grandstand and other key structures; improved parking and camper trailer areas; on-site and off-site infrastructure improvements to accommodate the renovation; and improvement of sound and electrical systems.

Once complete, the revamped fairgrounds will be able to host more trade shows and special events, providing an economic boon to the city.

A 2005 feasibility study prepared by Convention, Sports, & Leisure International, projected that a renovated fairgrounds would generate $35 million in annual direct spending in the local and regional economy, $13.9 million in secondary spending, $140,000 in hotel tax revenue, $1 million in annual sales tax revenue, and 710 direct and indirect jobs.

Economy

The economy was also on Patrick's mind on Tuesday, and he reiterated his four-step plan to leave the commonwealth on solid economic footing.

'Everyone knows the national economy is softening ... Masscahusetts, on the whole, is holding its own,' said the governor.

He said unemployment in the state is lower today than it was at this point a year ago, and that the state is gaining jobs. Even so, he acknowledged the anxiety many are feeling in the face of rising gas and food prices.

'Our relatively strong economy compared to national trends is of little comfort' to these people, he said.

Patrick's four-step plan involves spending restraints, investment in infrastructure and people, establishment of long-term growth, and building a safety net for the most vulnerable in the state.

Among the infrastructure improvements is a $16 billion, five-year investment that will improve roads, bridges, housing, campuses, and enable the state to maintain and acquire open space.

He's also announcing 16 'growth districts,' or regional economic hubs, throughout the state. When asked whether one of the growth districts would be located in Hampshire County, the governor said an announcement for this area is expected in a couple of months.

'Stand by,' he said.

Some of the other highlights the governor stressed include: an energy audit program in which 16 city buildings will be reviewed for ways energy consumption can be reduced; improvements to the Norwottuck Rail Trail and the Manhan Rail Trail; and soon-to-be unveiled advertisements created by the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism that feature downtown Northampton. The ads are expected to begin airing on May 11.

Chad Cain can be reached at ccain@gazettenet.com.