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New Bedford Business Park continues 'on a roll'
By Joe Cohen
Standard-Times staff writer
 NEW
BEDFORD — The Greater New Bedford Industrial Foundation
— which created and operates the New Bedford Business
Park — reported Wednesday that 2007 was another year of
success in drawing and expanding businesses at the park.
Executive Director Thomas G. Davis cited a string of
companies that moved to the park or are growing there,
resulting in 1,000 new jobs.
The park is on a roll, he said, having "generated
significant job growth in 2006 and 2007, and we expect
the park to experience further job growth in 2008 and
2009."
He was speaking to the annual meeting of the foundation,
held at Poyant Signs off Samuel Barnet Boulevard in the
park, which is located in the city's North End and
Dartmouth.
"The past two years have been exceptionally strong with
regard to activity," he said noting that in 2006 the
park completed three new roads that made available 10
lots for sale.
Among companies locating or expanding in the park in
2007, and which Mr. Davis credited with the creation of
1,000 jobs, were:
* AFC Cable Systems, which completed a new
202,000-square-foot plant.
* Konarka Technologies, which leased 257,000 square
feet.
* Lighthouse Masonry, which broke ground on a
30,000-square-foot headquarters and supply facility.
* Titleist, which began a 38,000-square-foot expansion.
* Symmetry Medical, which took over an
82,000-square-foot plant.
* Vectrix, which leased a 65,000-square-foot plant.
* First Highland, which undertook a $1 million
modernization of a 118,000-square-foot plant for lease.
* Horacio Tavares, which expanded its plant.
* Zapp Precision Steel, which completed a small
addition.
There are currently 4,800 jobs in the park.
Carl Ribeiro, chairman of the foundation, said the
Business Park "has been one of the hottest industrial
parks in New England."
He said it "has clearly become the number one economic
development engine for the greater New Bedford and
Dartmouth area."
And, he said, "With 200 acres of developable lots left
to sell, the New Bedford Business Park has the potential
to create 3,000 additional jobs during the next five to
10 years."
Mr. Ribeiro said the park is succeeding because of its
cost-effective location, with lower land, construction
and labor costs than greater Boston. In addition, the
park offers hassle-free commuting, and cited the quality
and work ethic of the regional work force.
He noted the park is only one of two in Massachusetts
that has master plan approval, which can streamline
permitting and reduce costs.
The foundation was formed in the 1960s as a nonprofit,
job-creation entity for Greater New Bedford at a time of
very high unemployment. Individual contributions were
used as start-up funding and the business park was
created. The park has sustained the organization since.
Members of the foundation attending the annual meeting
were told the park is in strong financial condition.
Contact Joe Cohen at jcohen@s-t.com
March 20, 2008 |
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