Legislators Approve $706,000 for Massachusetts MEP in $799 Million Supplemental Economic Stimulus Package

Legislators approved a nearly $800 million economic stimulus package June 15 that includes a $302 million supplemental capital budget and a $497 million economic stimulus bill. Included in the economic stimulus bill is $706,000 for the Worcester-based Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership program, with $306,666 targeted for the Innovation Program, $250,000 for the Supply Chain Initiative and $150,000 for the Regional Employment Board of Hampden County for a pilot program for precision machining; $35 million toward a nano-manufacturing and bio-manufacturing complex at University of Massachusetts-Lowell, with the authority to borrow an additional $35 million; $10 million to create a life science center to attract research funding and coordinate life science research and development; $10 million in additional funds to the state Emerging Technology Fund; $1.25 million to create a state wireless and broadband development office to plan universal statewide access to wireless and broadband internet; $30 million to refund the state’s Brownfield Redevelopment program; $6 million for tourism promotion; $23 million to an array of workforce training programs, including $11 million for a Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund to support company-specific strategies to improve employee skills.

Highlights of the capital budget that includes the allocation of unspent funds from FY 2005 are: $13 million for an endowment incentive program for matching grants for state colleges and universities; $20 million for substance abuse programs; $3.2 million for an Agricultural Innovation Center to be established in consultation with the University of Massachusetts-Amherst; and $11 million in improvements to beaches and parks statewide. The funds allocated in the two pieces of legislation are for FY 2006, but the language stipulates that the funds can be carried over into FY 2007. (FY 2006 Supplemental Appropriations Bill , June 15/Boston Globe, June 15/Worcester Telegram & Gazette, June 16, 2006) (HMF/6/21/06)