Lt. Gov. is once again keynote speaker
By Bonnie Adams, Managing Editor
Westborough – Over 200 local business leaders, as well as town and state officials, gathered Jan. 31 to honor nine Westborough businesses as well as Westborough TV at the 2019 Year in Review and Sixth Annual Celebratory Event. The event, held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston – Westborough, was hosted by the Westborough Economic Development Committee (WEDC).
Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, the keynote speaker, praised Westborough, noting that it was a strong business community, and such was a “MVP” in the commonwealth.
She noted that Westborough officials have strived to create innovative housing options such as the Del Webb Chauncy Lake adult community being built on the former Westborough State Hospital property which offers seniors a place to move to if they wish to sell their home and still reside in the town.
Polito also highlighted some of the initiatives that she and Gov. Charlie Baker have been focusing on as part of their efforts to make Massachusetts a place where businesses will want to locate and/or expand.
Innovative solutions for housing and infrastructure requirements were necessary, she said, as well as development of talent, which is at a “critical juncture.”
While approximately half of Mass. residents have at least a bachelor’s degree, the current economy requires both those with degrees and those who were skilled in specific needs, she added. To address that, the Baker-Polito administration is proposing a three-tiered “Career Technical Institute.” In such a program, students who don’t attend vocational schools would be able to attend after school classes at a vocational school and then adults would be able attend night classes at that school.
She added that currently 76 percent of those working in the STEM industry (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) were white.
“We need to have a talent pipeline throughout the commonwealth,” Polito said. “And employers want a diversified workforce.”
After Polito’s speech, WEDC Chair Bonnie Sullivan, and Joshua Lee Smith, WEDC ambassador, presented awards to organizations for their contributions to the local business community. Prior to each recipient being honored, a short video of their business was shown. The videos were produced by Westborough TV.
Honorees included:
- Best Expansion Project Award – Astellas Institute for Regenerative Medicine
- Leader in Development Award – Carruth Capital, Olympus Corp. of the Americas, and Guttierez Company
- Westborough Foodie Award – Bushel ‘N Peck
- Innovation Award – Neotech
- Outstanding Revitalization Project Award –
- Company to Watch Award – Atlantic Management
- Westborough New Small Business Award – Board and Brush
- Civic Pride Award – Roche Bros., and Westborough TV
Sullivan also noted that seven local businesses had received grants over the past year from the EDC’s Small Business Grant Assistance Program. Those businesses were: Cork & Grain, Dairy Queen, Perk & Parcel, Academy of Dance Expressions, eBridge Montessori School and Stagecoach Plaza.
For more information visit edc.town.westborough.ma.us.
photos/courtesy Jeff Poole, Westborough TV
