MetroWest Chamber of Commerce Votes for Business

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Gifts to doctors affect prescribing decisions
Jul 2, 2008 — Telegram & Gazette
Robert P. Spellane, D-Worcester, correctly recognizes the importance of the biotech industry, particularly its lifesaving products (Telegram & Gazette, June 17). Prescription drugs are central to today’s health care system. It’s precisely for that reason the state must pass the pharmaceutical gift ban. The state should demand that the industry market its products ethically without gifts or bribery.
Work proceeding at science park
Jul 2, 2008 — Telegram & Gazette
GRAFTON— Ground has been broken and work is under way at Grafton Science Park, while the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine's regional biocontainment laboratory is halfway to completion. Kochevar said the public can contact the Grafton campus to schedule a tour. Kochevar said town meeting voters' recent approval of an expedited permitting bylaw will help attract biotechnology and life sciences businesses to the park, but implored the town to limit redundancy in local regulations.
Planners back new zoning as a way to woo biotech
Jun 23, 2008 — Telegram & Gazette
CLINTON— Hopeful that a special zoning district for bioscience-related businesses will help to market Clinton to the active Worcester-area biotechnology arena, the Planning Board has endorsed a bioscience enterprise overlay district. Barrett said businesses other than biotechnology that meet the current zoning requirements could also move into the properties. Elworthy pointed out that there are lots of biomedical companies in Worcester, Northboro, and Westboro.
High-tech plea
Jun 21, 2008 — Telegram & Gazette
The report was presented by Mass Insight Corp., a consulting and research company, at a meeting on Monday organized by defense contractor Mitre Corp. Those are ambitious goals, but could spur growth in both the technology sectors and across much of the state’s economy. The bottom line of the report is clear: In the rush to nurture new industries, the Bay State mustn’t neglect its older ones.
Bay State's life sciences bill is drawing attention at Calif. convention (10:05 p.m.)
Jun 19, 2008 — New Bedford Standard Times
Senate President Therese Murray, D-Plymouth, says the state’s $1 billion 10-year life sciences initiative is already creating business opportunities for Massachusetts at an international biotech convention in San Diego this week. Deval Patrick, Murray and House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi. The center, which will use marine organisms to study stem cell regeneration, will be done in conjunction with UMass Dartmouth.
Life sciences bill is drawing attention at Calif. convention
Jun 19, 2008 — New Bedford Standard Times
Deval Patrick, Murray and House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi. She said the $1 billion life sciences bill would also have economic benefits for Southeastern Massachusetts. The bill includes $10 million for a new research center at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole.
Digging for knowledge
Jun 18, 2008 — Telegram & Gazette
Boston-based Gilbane Building Co., the construction management firm, is using a number of subcontractors from greater Worcester, according to Alfredo DiMauro, WPI’s assistant vice president for facilities. Cutler also recently did a design project at Clark University in Worcester. Cardinal Construction in Worcester is the general contractor.
State takes new life sciences effort on the road
Jun 18, 2008 — New Bedford Standard Times
The bill earmarks $10 million for a new research center at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole. The Marine Biological Laboratory will work with UMass Dartmouth and the Regional Technology Development Corporation of Cape Cod. Even some life science executives faulted the bill for being laden with earmarks for specific projects in legislative districts.
EDITORIAL Choosing favorites comes at a price
Jun 17, 2008 — Boston Herald
A billion bucks' worth of attention, to be exact. But who's counting! Some will argue this is little more than "me-too-ism" from an industry that simply wants its slice of the state revenue pie. The industry is shedding jobs -- particularly "high-value-added" jobs such as engineers and managers.
State takes new life sciences effort on the road
Jun 17, 2008 — New Bedford Standard Times
The bill earmarks $10 million for a new research center at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole. The Marine Biological Laboratory will work with UMass Dartmouth and the Regional Technology Development Corporation of Cape Cod. Even some life science executives faulted the bill for being laden with earmarks for specific projects in legislative districts.
$1B life-sciences bill draws support, questions (subh) Tarr among those wary of move
Jun 16, 2008 — Gloucester Daily Times
Bruce Tarr, R-Gloucester -- and even some business people question whether the measure is the right investment. The life-sciences bill -- a key part of Gov. And he's not alone. Suzana Marusic is president of Lawrence-based Hooke Labs, a developer of research tools used by life-science companies. Several large life-sciences companies, including drugmaker Wyeth, have announced layoffs this year.
Life sciences industry lauds Deval Patrick $1 billion biotech measure sets Massachusetts apart
Jun 16, 2008 — Boston Herald
Christine McConville Jun. 16, 2008 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- What a difference a year makes. Last May, Gov.
Patrick trip touts Mass. appeal
Jun 15, 2008 — The Sun - Lowell, Massachusetts
The life-science sector currently employs about 77,000 people in Massachusetts. "We've done things to help the movie industry and other industries. Colleen Garry. Garry was one of two Democrats voting no last week. Garry is pro-life, and would not support a bill that provided state funding to embryonic stem-cell research. Patrick will be in San Diego until Wednesday.
Biotech bill a big benefit for the region
Jun 13, 2008 — Telegram & Gazette
The Massachusetts Biomedical Initiatives organization estimates that the life-sciences sector contributes $8.8 billion annually to the state’s economy. Worcester, which already has a cluster of biotechnology and biomedical startups, as well as larger manufacturing and research centers, stands to expand with passage of the bill. Patrick is scheduled to give a keynote luncheon address at the conference on the role of government in promoting development of life sciences industries.
Billion-dollar boost
Jun 12, 2008 — Telegram & Gazette
The $1 billion biotechnology and life sciences legislation headed toward Gov. It offers a balanced combination of tax credits, research grants and capital investments aimed at further expanding the state’s already strong position in what has become a $90 billion growth industry worldwide. It also includes $500 million for capital construction, including $90 million toward a $400 million life sciences research center at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester.
Fitchburg awarded $1.3M for power plant
Jun 12, 2008 — Sentinel & Enterprise
Timothy Murray (SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE / BRETT CRAWFORD) FITCHBURG -- Lt. The plant will provide energy to Simonds International. Fitchburg's economic development manager Dan Curley said the project will create an anchor in Simonds that will help to attract other businesses to the industrial park.
House passes science package
Jun 12, 2008 — Telegram & Gazette
Tax incentives will come in the form of tax credits toward the purchase of property for life science companies. The bill expands from 5 years to 15 years the tax exemption for life science companies and other bonus tax credits for firms that locate in designated economic opportunity areas. Companies that qualify as “certified life science companies” could seek one of nine different tax credits.
House votes $10M for Woods Hole research center
Jun 12, 2008 — New Bedford Standard Times
The $1 billion, 10-year initiative includes $500 million in capital improvements for life sciences, $250 million in tax credits for life science companies, and $250 million in research grants. The Marine Biological Laboratory is working on the center with UMass Dartmouth and the Regional Technology Development Corp. of Cape Cod. About half of the budget comes from peer-reviewed research grants awarded to MBL scientists by the federal government.
Life sciences bill includes UMD in its plans
Jun 11, 2008 — New Bedford Standard Times
BOSTON — The life sciences bill that Gov. Deval Patrick could sign soon includes UMass Dartmouth as a possible site for a scientific research center. Besides Dartmouth, the bill identifies several other possible locations for new scientific research centers, including Pittsfield, Lowell, Springfield, Framingham, Boston, Taunton and Woods Hole.
Patrick hopes to lure L.A. industries
Jun 11, 2008 — Telegram & Gazette
Patrick plans to trumpet the final approval of the state’s billion dollar life-sciences initiative. A legislative committee yesterday approved final language changes to the life sciences investment bill, which includes funding for a major genetic therapy research facility in Worcester. The Massachusetts bill would put up $100 million in tax breaks, investments and research grants annually over the next 10 years to promote life sciences research and manufacturing development in the state.
Pols push $1 billion biotech bill: Measure heading to final votes
Jun 11, 2008 — Boston Herald
Daniel E. Bosley (D-North Adams) and Sen. Jack Hart (D-Boston), the chairmen of the committee.Gov. Deval Patrick first pitched the life sciences legislation last May at the 2007 BIO International Convention in Boston.
The Monday morning briefing: Gov. Patrick pitches business growth
Jun 9, 2008 — Boston Herald
James Marzilli, who remains in office despite his recent hospitalization. If not Hillary, then I'd rather vote Republican, but never Barack! Deval Patrick is plotting a full court press for the international biotech conference in San Diego, assembling a team of aides to help pitch Massachusetts as the place for investment.
Communities wooing biotech firms
Jun 6, 2008 — Telegram & Gazette
The MBC, a trade group for the state’s biotech companies, brought the discussion to Worcester yesterday after holding similar sessions in Andover, Billerica and Chicopee. Peter Abair, MBC director for economic development, said biotechnology is a statewide industry, with 70 percent of the state’s biotech companies located outside Boston and Cambridge. “Other countries, other parts of the world, are making huge investments in biotech, so we have to be cognizant of that,” Mr.
Bio-boom coming
May 30, 2008 — Telegram & Gazette
Their focus was Worcester County, and the biomedical industry they studied includes area biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device and related businesses. MBI promotes the life science industry in Central Massachusetts and operates three business incubators in Worcester for start-up companies. Weingarten and Ngo’s report online at www.massbiomed.org.
President is chosen for center
May 29, 2008 — Telegram & Gazette
Bannister, a summa cum laude graduate of Wellesley College, with a Ph.D. from Brandeis University, is currently managing vice president at Abt Bio-Pharma Solutions Inc., a subsidiary of Abt Associates of Cambridge. Bannister is expected to attend the biotechnology convention next month with the state delegation. Bannister has a major task ahead of her as the state advances the life science initiative, which has become the Patrick administration’s top new economic development program.
State's $1 billion biotech CEO: Abt Bio-Pharma Solutions exec Susan Windham-Bannister to lead transformation
May 29, 2008 — Boston Herald
With $20 million in the bank and a handful of employees, the center operates out of a temporary office at 100 Cambridge St.But if the Legislature passes Gov. Windham-Bannister contributed $500 to Patrick and $300 to Lt.
Legislation aims to grow green industry
May 20, 2008 — Sentinel & Enterprise
Deval Patrick declared "the age of fossil fuels" over Monday as he stood next to House Speaker Sal DiMasi to announce new legislation to spur growth in the green energy industry. Patrick and State Senate President Therese Murray joined UMass President Jack Wilson and leaders in the clean-energy industry in endorsing the speaker's proposal. Clean energy companies are expected to grow by about 30 percent during the next year, adding up to 3,000 new jobs.
EDITORIAL: Drug exec fights back
May 9, 2008 — Boston Herald
Not a huge presence, but exactly the kind of firms the governor says he wants to grow here.And the response of Sen.
Legislators: Glaxo letter on gift ban may backfire
May 8, 2008 — Boston Herald
Richard Moore (D-Uxbridge), one of the main backers of banning gifts to doctors from drug companies, said the Glaxo letter -- sent earlier this week to Gov.
Glaxo exec blasts state: Hits plan to bar drug cos.' gift-giving to docs
May 7, 2008 — Boston Herald
...at Senate President Therese Murray's proposed ban on drug firms' gifts to doctors, the head of GlaxoSmithKline's (NYSE:GSK) U.S. operations is accusing Massachusetts of a "strong anti-biopharmaceutical streak" and bemoaning attempts to "attack and demonize" the industry.Christopher A. Viehbacher, president of U.S. pharmaceuticals for the British-based Glaxo, sent harshly worded letters earlier this week to Murray, Gov. Deval Patrick and House Speaker Sal DiMasi, suggesting his firm...
MCLA defends science funding
Apr 30, 2008 — Berkshire Eagle
And the need is not unique to MCLA, they say. Last week, Mount Greylock Regional High School science students visited and conducted experiments in MCLA laboratories that they have not the equipment to do in their own school. But to make room, MCLA science classes had to juggle their laboratory times.
A hopeful economy
Apr 24, 2008 — Telegram & Gazette
“We have seen the facility at Gateway Park grow and attract new businesses,” he said. It’s an example of business and academic communities partnering with government. Helping to bolster the city’s economy, he said, is the Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts, a 2,300-seat theatre WBDC developed with public and private funds.
EDITORIAL: Odds against taxpayers
Apr 24, 2008 — Boston Herald
...boost the life sciences industry in Massachusetts, in part by investing borrowed money in private sector, start-up companies.But one of the issues they have yet to resolve is whether the state is entitled to an ownership stake when it spends money to get a firm off the ground.Well, of course -- in theory, as long as the state is willing to invest taxpayer money in a high-risk venture, then taxpayers are entitled to a piece of the action.But that assumes the...
GlaxoSmithKline buys Cambridge drug company Sirtis for $720 million
Apr 23, 2008 — Boston Herald
Jack Hart (D-Boston), who could not be reached for comment, will be meeting soon with Bosley to hammer out a compromise bill.A spokesman for Gov.
State looks to get in on biotech ground floor
Apr 23, 2008 — Boston Herald
Jack Hart (D-Boston), who could not be reached for comment, will be meeting soon with Bosley to hammer out a compromise bill.A spokesman for Gov.
Housing gets a boost
Apr 18, 2008 — Telegram & Gazette
He also announced a $115,597 grant to the Main South Community Development Corporation’s Kilby Townhomes development. Michael Collins, interim chancellor of UMass Medical School, told Mr. Patrick that Worcester would see a billion dollar impact from development of the new life sciences research center at the Worcester campus.
Biotech's Billerica expansion will add 100 research jobs
Apr 17, 2008 — The Sun - Lowell, Massachusetts
...the life science industry," said Fereydoun Firouz, CEO and president of EMD Serono. "We are proud to be a part of this trend."Gov. Deval Patrick attended the announcement yesterday at the company's Middlesex Turnpike facility where he was lauded for his 10-year, $1 billion commitment to bolstering the state's life science industry."EMD Serono is exactly the type of company we look for in Billerica," said state Rep. Bill Greene, who said he had a personal interest in the...
EMD Serono expansion benefits Billerica
Apr 16, 2008 — The Sun - Lowell, Massachusetts
EMD Serono said it was finalizing plans for a significant expansion at one or both of its Massachusetts locations. The company has 650 employees between its U.S. headquarters in Rockland and its Billerica facility.EMD Serono is the U.S. division of Swiss biotech firm Serono, which recently merged with German drug-make Merck (NYSE:MRK) KGaA.Serono is one of many life science companies expected to benefit from the governor's $1 billion life science initiative.

The MetroWest Chamber urges members to contact state elected officials immediately to urge them to act on UI rate freeze bill now pending.