Kerry sees New Bedford firm scoot'n along

NEW BEDFORD — Massachusetts' Harley-Davidson-riding U.S. Senator John F. Kerry got on an all-electric scooter here Monday and proclaimed it a vehicle of the future.
That endorsement of the Vectrix zero-emissions vehicle was exactly what company and city officials were looking to hear.

Sen. Kerry, a Democrat, talked about going "beyond fossil fuels" and "really exciting great possibilities" and "how you turn around America" during a tour of the Vectrix Corporation's local operations off Samuel Barnet Boulevard in the New Bedford Business Park. [read more]
 

  City’s Zeiterion Performing Arts Center receives $250,000 Bank of America grant

NEW BEDFORD — Robert E. Gallery took to the Zeiterion Theatre stage Wednesday — the same stage that George Jessel and Rudolph Valentino stepped out on decades ago — in the glow of carefully staged lighting.

Unlike famous entertainers who preceded him and filled the downtown theater's 1,200 seats for 85 years, Mr. Gallery was playing to an invitation-only audience of 60. Attired in a gray pinstripe suit and red tie, Mr. Gallery was not on stage to make the audience laugh or cry. He was, however, ready to make a strong impression. [read more]

  Irish delegation visits area businesses

An Irish delegation visited two of the region's best-known manufacturers Tuesday, as they looked for ways to improve economic opportunities back home.

Representatives from Derry, Northern Ireland, and Buncrana, County Donegal, in the Irish Republic were on the second full day of their visit to New Bedford and the area.

The theme was economic development Tuesday, and the group toured the Joseph Abboud apparel factory in New Bedford and a Titleist packaging plant in [read more]

  New Bedford seafood exports satisfy European market

BOSTON, Mass. - March 13, 2008 - As a recession appears increasingly likely nationally, Massachusetts businesses are battening down to wait out the storm.

But more than 8,000 companies in the state are seeing some sunshine. That's because they export products and services to foreign markets.

As WBUR's Curt Nickisch reports, with the dollar at historic lows, some are selling more than ever.  [read more]

  SouthCoast chamber president building strong support

NEW BEDFORD — For 22 years, James "call me Jim" Mathes and "Chamber of Commerce" were practically synonymous on SouthCoast. Mr. Mathes, smiling and outgoing, was the local chamber and the local chamber was Mr. Mathes.
Then in 2006, everything changed.

Mr. Mathes followed his passion for education and helping underserved children by becoming executive director of the SMILES mentoring program in New Bedford and Fall River. It was a program he helped create in his role. [read more]