Athol to get $3 million state jobs grant

Award one of largest in MORE program’s history

By Owen Boss

BOSTON — Gov. Deval Patrick announced a $3 million Massachusetts Opportunity Relocation and Expansion Jobs grant for the town of Athol Monday, which will be used to make infrastructure improvements to develop a 495,000-square-foot commercial retail facility that is expected to create 250 permanent jobs and bolster the regional economy. The grant Athol is receiving is one of the largest amounts distributed through the MORE Jobs Program, which was created several years ago to support partnerships between local municipalities and the private sector, has provided millions of dollars for personalized projects across the state, which Mr. Patrick said are either approved or denied based on the quality of the application. “The program fosters development and helps create new jobs,” said Mr. Patrick. “We have been moving about $25 million out in MORE grants over the last 90 days as a part of the strategy to sure up our economic strength and position ourselves for long-term growth.” The announcement of funding for the project comes following the release of the states economic stimulus plan, which Mr. Patrick said is meant to soften the impact of the struggling national economy. “I am proud our administration can partner with cities and towns in this way to help both the state and local economies flourish,” said Mr. Patrick . Although the town had their request for similar funding denied in 2007, the Patrick administration had recently deemed the development project site a “growth district,” which state Rep. Chris Donelan, D-Franklin, said made the area eligible for support from the Growth Districts Initiative. “I would just like to say thank you, for the administration paying such close attention to this application and to the needs out there,” said Mr. Donelan. “Athol had not been successful in their application during the first round and the folks in Athol didn’t get angry or disappointed, they were just determined to work harder and I’d like to give credit to them: the local economic development industrial corporation, which has spent the last year working hard with Gov. Patrick’s economic development team to really put together a great application.” Although the project will not directly affect the city of Gardner, Mr. Donelan said supporting any location in the regional economy inevitably attracts business to the area and will help the surrounding cities and towns. “We sink or swim together in Massachusetts,” said Mr. Donelan. “Jobs created whether it be in Athol, Orange, Greenfield, or Turners Falls are going to help residents throughout our region. It impacts the entire region when the state makes a $3 million investment in one of the communities, and when it spurs private investment and economic development it benefits all of us.” Also playing an intricate role in the acquisition of the funding was state Sen. Stephen Brewer, D-Barre, who said the project is an example of how developing partnerships between municipalities and the private sector can lead to the revitalization of the state economy. “One of the things about the MORE program that the governor has been passionately advocating for is that we recognize that the government does not create the jobs, it sets the field and sets the table for private economic development,” said Mr. Brewer. “I think we have a very willing work force there that is anxious to go to work and I think great days are coming for this region.” The increased funding means the Athol area can expect increased private investment, something that Mr. Donelan said the town has desperately needed. “I understand that this award to Athol today is one of the largest awards going out in this round of grants across the state,” said Mr. Donelan. “And I think it sends a strong message to the private sector, that Athol is on the move and that the state is going to stand shoulder to shoulder with us, and I think that will spur greater private investment in our area.” The North Quabbin Mixed-Use Development Project, which will be located between Routes 2 and 2A will require the extension of water and sewer lines and improvements to Route 2A and interior access roads. The Patrick administration is expected to continue announcing municipalities that have been selected to receive funding during the second round of MORE Job grant distributions. oboss@thegardnernews.com

Appeared on Page 1 on 7/8/2008 (Vol. 206 No. 160)