Business Events...
February Membership Event
Our February Membership event will be held on Thursday, February 23rd at our offices at 12 Andover Road just off of Billerica Center at 8:00 am.
There is no fee to attend and guests are welcome.
Take the Boston Road Survey
The Billerica Financial Development Corporation (BFDC) is working with the Town of Billerica and the Alliance to assist business development along Boston Road.
The first step in this endeavor is to reach out and partner with Boston Road businesses and property owners. We would like to hear from you to better understand how we can work together to improve business development along Boston Road.
This brief survey is meant to inform local businesses of available resources and educate us on how we can best partner with you. While your responses will be kept confidential, we would like to obtain contact information in order to improve communications and business assistance.
To take the Boston Road survey, click on the following link:
Boston Road Survey
Please Note: Surveys returned by mail or taken online before February 10, 2012 will be eligible to win one of two $50 gift certificates to O'Connor Hardware
Billerica Town Center Design Backed
From February 7th Lowell Sun Article by Evan Lips
Imagine a town center where you didn't have to turn south on Concord Road to head north on Boston Road. A town center with two-way traffic on Boston Road, a sidewalk linking the common to the Shops at Billerica and a traffic pattern with three sets of signals instead of seven. Selectmen asked a Rhode Island engineering firm to come up with a few new concepts for the future of the town center, and last night they got a good look. The board voted unanimously to send one of the two conceptual designs to the Traffic Management Committee, which will begin hosting public discussion forums later this winter. The Historic Districts Commission will also have a say.
The concept calls for turning the section of Concord Road between Blanchard Avenue and Andover Road into a one-way, northbound road with about 25 parking spaces abutting the common and a raised crosswalk in front of the library. Andover Road would have a dedicated left-turn lane for traffic to head south on Boston Road. Kien Ho, a Beta Group traffic engineer, said the proposal "simplifies the volume of traffic into one main line," Boston Road. Beta Group Associate Darshan Jhaveri said the changes would make the common as accessible as it is during the Christmas-tree lighting while also improving traffic. But the plan would also reduce the number of parking spaces on Boston Road from about 15 to about seven.
Turning the concept into reality won't be cheap. Town Manager John Curran said last night that initial estimates call for about $14 million. But he added that these are the types of projects that can be completed by towns with level debt. Last fall, Town Meeting voted to transfer $1.4 million in free cash to the town's debt stabilization fund. Curran said the fund "helps preserve the tax rate the way it is" and noted that between $2 and $4 million could be available from the state's MassWorks Infrastructure Program. Improving the town center, he added, will also "add value to the whole area." The Traffic Management Committee will meet Monday at 7 p.m. to review the design, but public hearings have not yet been scheduled.
To see the full article, see the Lowell Sun's website at www.lowellsun.com
Billerica Road-Widening Plan Dashed
Excerpts from February 5th Lowell Sun Article by Evan Lips
The town's bid to secure a $16.3 million state grant to kick-start the widening of Middlesex Turnpike is dead, Town Manager John Curran said. The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center's rejection marks the latest blow to plans to fix one of the town's busiest and most dangerous roads. The plan to widen the four-mile strip linking Burlington, Bedford and Billerica was born in the 1980s. The only stretch of the road that has yet to be improved lies in Billerica. It's a 1.6-mile straightaway from just inside the Bedford town line to Concord Road. Transportation studies show it also boasts a crash rate higher than 30 percent of the regional average. Curran estimates a widening project will cost $35.8 million. The high price tag comes from the need for a 16-foot wide landscaped median, bike lanes, sidewalks, dedicated turning lanes and new bridgework at the Shawsheen River.
When a section of the road in Burlington underwent a dramatic face-lift in 2007 for $9.5 million, a host of new state regulations had not yet been enacted. Officials have said that as recently as 2001, the anticipated cost for Billerica's section of road was $10 million. Even if the grant had been approved, Billerica would still need to find another $19.5 million. Curran said money could have eventually came from a combination of town bonding, the private sector and other state government sources, but nothing would have been certain. The road, which runs parallel to Route 3, has become a hotspot for life-science and tech companies looking to expand. More than 24 life-sciences companies have opened shop in offices along Billerica's slice of Middlesex Turnpike. Curran said the application cleared the first round of discussions before it was rejected. He noted that Gov. Deval Patrick's State of the State address last month, which focused partly on beefing up the commonwealth's workforce by paying closer attention to life-science and tech-job skills, fits with the need to revamp Billerica's section of the road. "Sooner or later we're hoping to pique the state's interest so they'll invest in the turnpike," he said. "What we want is for the state to understand that we're on the same wavelength."
To read the full article, see the Lowell Sun's website at www.lowellsun.com.
Patrick Touts Jobs Progress on Billerica Plant Tour
Excerpts from January 21st Lowell Sun Article by Sarah Favot
The day after the state announced the unemployment rate reached a three-year low in December, Gov. Deval Patrick used a tour of Cabot Corp.'s Billerica plant to tout progress on job creation. Patrick joined lawmakers and local officials in the visit to Cabot's global headquarters for research and development, where more than 350 are employed. He said the innovation that occurs at Cabot is an example of the successful strategy that is moving the state forward in job growth. "We were at fourth from the bottom in job creation in 2006," he said in an interview. "We're fourth from the top in America today and that's not by accident. It's because we've been investing in education, in innovation, very much in the space where Cabot operates, and in infrastructure. It's a winning strategy."
Massachusetts added about 41,000 jobs in 2011. Patrick was accompanied on the tour by U.S. Rep. Niki Tsongas, U.S. Rep. John Tierney, state Rep. Marc Lombardo and Selectman Andrew Deslaurier. Wearing protective goggles, they were led through a series of presentations at the plant. Cabot President and CEO Patrick Prevost said he wanted to give officials an idea of what is being manufactured by Cabot, like specialty carbon black, aerogels and inkjets.
The politicians also met with Cabot officials in a closed-door meeting before the tour began. Cabot, a global manufacturer of specialty chemicals and other industrial materials, is headquartered in Boston with sites in Billerica and Haverhill, employing about 600 people in the state. It has 39 manufacturing sites in the U.S. and 20 countries. Patrick said his administration's jobs strategy is the same strategy that President Barack Obama has tried to implement nationally, but the president's jobs bill has been stalled by Congress. "The difference is that, frankly, the Legislature has been a lot more supportive of giving us the tools than the Congress has been able to be in the last couple years," said Patrick.
On the tour when R&D Manager Geoff Moeser explained how the company customizes carbon black to be used in different kinds of batteries, Lombardo said the work is encouraging. "My iPhone dies too quickly, so keep up the good work," he joked. Lombardo said Cabot has been a staple in Billerica, donating money to local causes and providing jobs to residents in town. "It's always great when we can showcase a Billerica business to our elected leaders in government," he said in an interview. "We are very impressed and very honored to be able to go to a company like Cabot." Deslaurier said Billerica is getting recognized as a leader in technology. "It's really great to show the profile of the technology industry is not just in Cambridge and Boston," he said.
To read the full article, see the Lowell Sun's website at www.lowellsun.com
New Year - New Officers
The Billerica Community Alliance Executive Board is pleased to announce their executive officers for 2012.
Officers
- President: Doris Pearson - Enterprise Bank
- Vice President - Business Development: Fred Ciampa - Fred Ciampa, CPA
- Vice President - Community Enhancement: Alice Rouse - Middlesex Community College
- Treasurer: Bill Haddad - LPL Financial
- Secretary: Jeff Surette - Surette Creative
Directors:
- Danielle Andre - Nuvera Fuel Cells
- Tim Callahan - Merrimack Special Ed Collaborative
- Linda Lennox - Lantheus Medical Imaging
- Sam Schauerman - Billerica Access TV
2012 Health & Wellness Fair - Saturday, March 31st
The Alliance will once again partner with the Billerica Lions, Billerica Elks, Billerica Council on Aging, Billerica Recreation, Billerica Board of Health and the Billerica Schools Food Services program on the third annual Billerica Health & Wellness Fair on Saturday, March 31st at the Billerica Lodge of Elks from 10 am to 2 pm.
This free event is open to the public and features up to 70 different vendors presenting products, services and information related to health and wellness. This is a low cost event for those vendors who do participate and is an excellent opportunity to showcase your services to local residents.
Vendor registration begins in January and will be done via the Facebook 'Billerica Health and Wellness Fair' page. We are currently seeking sponsors for the event and have several options available beginning at $250. For more information on sponsoring the event, contact our office at 978-667-4174 or via email at info@billerica-alliance.org
Lynnway Auto Auction - Gold Medal Member
We want to acknowledge our gratitude to Jim Lamb, Bob Brest and Lynnway Auto Auction for becoming a Gold Medal Member of the Billerica Community Alliance. Their support and generosity is greatly appreciated and we look forward to working with them and their team in the coming new year.
Picured from left Lynnway Auto Auction Partner Bob Brest, Alliance President Doris Pearson and Lynnway Auto Auction President Jim Lamb.
Billerica Election Races Begin to Take Shape
Excerpts from January 10th Lowell Sun Article by Evan Lips
A longtime town official has stepped forward and said he plans to run this spring for Selectman Andrew Deslaurier's expiring seat. Planning Board member Ed McLaughlin, who is also a supervisor in the town's water department, has not yet pulled nomination papers but made it clear in a brief interview he's "ready to move forward" and run for a seat on the five-member Board of Selectmen. Selectman Andrew Deslaurier, who was elected to his first term in 2009, said he filed his nomination papers Thursday and acknowledged that he's had to make some unpopular decisions during his time on the board.
In the race for Town Moderator Gil Moreira's expiring post, Finance Committee Secretary Michael Moore pulled his nomination papers on Friday and said Monday he wants to improve the way information is delivered at Town Meeting. Moore, an 11-year Microsoft employee, said he spent two years as a full-time presenter for the software giant. Moreira confirmed on Friday he's running for re-election.
Other seats on town boards and committees that will expire this spring include:
* School Committee member Kim Conway will run for a third three-year term. Conway said Thursday the committee has a "full plate of work" ahead of it and added she hopes the current makeup of the committee will be left intact to complete it. Conway, in addition to any challengers, had not yet pulled papers as of Monday morning.
* Planning Board members McLaughlin and Vince MacDonald both face expiring terms this spring. McLaughlin said he will be fully committed to the board even after he files his nomination papers for Deslaurier's seat, but said he's not seeking re-election to the Planning Board.
* Shawsheen Valley Technical School Committee member Ken Buffum has been serving on the committee for more than 30 years and his latest term is also up this spring. He pulled papers last week. As of Monday morning, there were no challengers.
* Housing Authority Chairman Carol Ford's term ends this spring. She has already pulled papers. As of Monday morning, no challengers to her expiring seat have pulled papers.
The town election will be held on April 7. To read the full article, see the Lowell Sun's website at www.lowellsun.com
Billerica Residents To Pony Up $130 More in Taxes
Excerpts from December 14th Lowell Sun Article by Evan Lips
Selectmen voted unanimously last night to maintain the largest property-tax shift between residential and business property owners allowed by state law, meaning the average homeowner will experience a $130 bump on their tax bill. "This is the fairest way to do it," Selectman Bob Accomando said. "Businesses are more geared to absorb that increase than a residential homeowner." But under the shift, the average business will not be paying that much more next year because of declining commercial property values, according to Town Assessor Richard Scanlon.
After the state Department of Revenue approves the measure, the average business owner should expect to pay $31.93 per $1,000 of assessed value. In fiscal 2011, the rate was $30.75 per $1,000. Scanlon pointed out during his presentation to selectmen that the average business with an assessed value of $426,200 paid approximately $13,105.65 in taxes during fiscal 2011. Because that same business is valued this year at $410,600, or $15,600 less, the business owner will only pay an additional $4.81 in taxes.
In comparison, homeowners will now pay $13.92 per $1,000 of assessed value, a 45-cent increase over the fiscal 2011 rate. The vote marked the seventh straight year that selectmen have decided in favor of the maximum shift, which means the tax burden is shifted away from residential property owners to owners of other classes of property by a factor of 1.75, or 175 percent.
Scanlon cautioned town officials against steadily increasing the business-tax rate. Historically, he pointed out, a business tax rate that approaches the $35 to $40 range "may have a detrimental effect on business property valuation due to a high capitalization rate," meaning business properties would eventually sell for a lot less than they're worth.
Overall, the fiscal 2012 tax levy checked in at $96.7 million, with residential taxes expected to account for 58 percent and business taxes expected to contribute 42 percent. The maximum allowable tax levy for fiscal 2012 under the state's Proposition 2 1/2 law (where cities and towns cannot raise property taxes by more than 2.5 percent a year without voter approval) is $97.2 million.
To read the full article, see the Lowell Sun's website at www.lowellsun.com
Planners OK Billerica Buildings Add-On
Excerpts from December 13th Lowell Sun Article by Evan Lips
After three months of meetings, studies and negotiations, Empire Recycling owner Joseph Motzkin can now build a three-sided addition to his 17,250-square-foot Sterling Road warehouse. The Planning Board voted last night, 5-2, in favor of granting Motzkin permission to build the 4,000-square-foot addition, a project his attorney described in September as the equivalent of a postage stamp-sized addition. But the so-called "stamp," mandated after a state Department of Environmental Protection audit discovered last February that Empire workers were illegally storing recyclables outside, managed to generate a first-class package of controversy.
An adjacent condominium development, which filed an endless stream of noise complaints with the Board of Health, made it known that they did not approve of the project, which required the Planning Board to waive a complex site-plan review process in order to pass.
At the heart of last night's heated discussion was whether or not Empire Recycling can legally operate at all hours of the day. According to Town Counsel Jena Munoz, it can. But Planning Board members would not sign off on Motzkin's project until he agreed to satisfy 11 conditions, which include shielding any new lighting from neighbors, providing the name and number of a facilities manager who would be able to respond to neighborhood concerns at all hours, repaving the back parking lot closest to the condos and installing a comprehensive stormwater-management system. But neighbors will still have to cope with the fact that Empire Recycling will remain a 24-hour facility. Last month the noise complaints generated by alleged activity at the site prompted the Board of Health to launch a noise survey.
To read the full article, see the Lowell Sun's website at www.lowellsun.com
Retail Plaza on Boston Road Undergoes Renovation
Excerpts from October 3rd Billerica Minuteman Article by Max Bowen
Five businesses at 301 Boston Road are closing their doors or relocating to make room for a new Cumberland Farms and Gulf Oil location. The businesses include a D’Angelos sandwhich shop, Connection Nails Design, and Golden Jade. Three of the businesses have already closed their doors. Connection Nails will be relocating to a new site on Boston Road, across from Dunkin Donuts and Kindercare, while Golden Jade has already moved its business to 131 Boston Road. The site is also home to four gas pumps which are still in operation.
The property is now owned by Cumberland Farms and Gulf Oil. Karin Warner, a spokesperson for the companies, said development is still in the early permitting stages, and could not comment on its size or when it would be completed by. “It’s going to be the newest full-service redesign,” said Warner. “It will be very full-service, offering fresh food items. There will be much to offer the consumer.”
The property is valued at a little over $1 million, according to the Assessor’s Office, and its size is approximately 40,000 square feet. At the D’Angelos store, a poster advertises the other locations in Bedford and Burlington. A similar sign at Golden Jade lists the new address and directions on how to find it.
To read the full article, see the Billerica Minuteman's website at www.wickedlocal.com/billericaBillerica Community Guide - Available
The new Town of Billerica Guide is now available and can be downloaded by clicking this link: Download Guide
Billerica's business development team is available to help companies move to Billerica or to grow existing Billerica businesses. See the guide for additional information.
Small Business Counseling - Available in Billerica from SBDC
The Alliance is pleased to announce that we will be partnering with the Northeast Massachusetts office of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to offer business counseling services on a monthly basis at our Billerica office.
These services are now available at our office. Appointments for individual private counseling by an SBDC Business Advisor can be made by contacting us at 978-667-4174 or via email at info@billerica-alliance.org.
The SBDC's regional offices are located at Salem State College but they offer their business counseling services through a variety of regional locations. Their business counseling services are free and can assist businesses with developing a business plan and funding needs. The SBDC also offers a wealth of information through their Business Workshop programs. Upcoming topics include Doing Business in Emerging Markets, Legal Issues, Developing Brand Essence, Knowing Your Marketing Niche, and Financing Your Business.
To learn more about the SBDC's Business Workshop programs, you can see their website at or contact them at 978-542-6343.
Business Training and Support ...
Lowell Small Business Assistance Center Is Now The Merrimack Valley Small Business Center
The Lowell Small Business Assistance Center has a new name, Merrimack Valley Small Business Center. Community Teamwork Inc.'s Merrimack Valley Small Business Center provides everything in one place:
- Entrepreneurial Training
- Workshops
- One-on-One Counseling
- Business Plan Assistance
- Financing Options Counseling
- Crisis Intervention
- Merrimack Valley Microloan Fund (MVMLF)
- Legal Assistance
- Resource Library
- And MORE…
Counseling, access to the resource library, and business plan assistance are provided at no cost. Modest fees may apply for workshops and trainings. All fees can be waived in the case of economic need, please ask a counselor for more info.
Since 1998, CTI's Small Business Center has provided support to a diverse group of entrepreneurs interested in creating, sustaining, and growing small businesses in the Merrimack Valley. We do this by providing technical assistance and empowering entrepreneurs with education and training to make the right choices and increase chances for success. The center serves Lowell, Lawrence and the rest of the communities within the Merrimack Valley. The Small Business Center is located in Middlesex Community College’s Derby Building at 88 Middle St. on the 2nd Floor in downtown Lowell.
The Merrimack Valley Small Business Center is a program within Community Teamwork, Inc.’s Department of Workforce Development, working in partnership with University of Massachusetts Lowell, Middlesex Community College, and the City of Lowell. To learn more about the center, see their new website at www.merrimackvalleysmallbusiness.com
Enterprise Center - Upcoming Workshops
The Enterprise Center at Salem State University is a small business incubator and a virtual center for entrepreneurs throughout Boston's North Shore. They serve businesses at every stage of development from startup through growth. They offer more than 100 programs a year, most of them free, to small business owners and nonprofit managers.
Upcoming Workshops
Events are held at the Enterprise Center at Salem State University 121 Loring Avenue, Salem, MA unless otherwise noted. Participants should plan to arrive 15 minutes ahead of the scheduled start time.
10 TIPS FOR RAISING MONEY IN TOUGH TIMES - FREE
Tuesday, February 7, 8:30 to 10:30 am
SUCCESSFUL SELF PROMOTION - FREE
Wednesday, February 8, 8:30 to 10:30 am
FINANCING YOUR BUSINESS - DO YOU QUALIFY - FREE
Thursday, February 9, 8:30 to 10:30 am FREE
YES, YOU CAN GROW $100,000 IN SALES - FREE
Tuesday, February 14, 8:30 to 10:30 am
PIRANHA POND
Thursday, February 16, 7:30 to 10:00 am
THE NEW WAY TO NETWORK FOR REAL RESULTS - FREE
Tuesday, February 28, 8:30 to 10:30 am
To register for these programs or to see other scheduled programs, visit the Enterprise Center's website at www.enterprisectr.org
MCC - Spring 2012 Professional Development Courses
Middlesex Community College has several open enrollment, professional development courses on the Bedford and Lowell Campuses. Course titles include:
- MS Excel (day and evening sessions)
- MS Access
- Technical Writing Certificate Program
- Web Design Certificate
- Project Management/PMP Exam Prep
- CompTia Exam Prep
- Meeting and Event Management
- Teaching Part Time at Community Colleges
- SHRM Exam Prep
For additional information, see MCC's Spring 2012 Course Catalog:
Mass Life Sciences - Small Business Matching Grant Program
The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center is pleased to announce the launch of its FY12 round of the Small Business Matching Grant (SBMG) Program. This program reflects the Center’s ongoing commitment to supporting early-stage life sciences companies that will grow employment opportunities, promote manufacturing and commercialization, and stimulate innovation across the Commonwealth. The Center is targeting an FY12 investment of $3 million in the Small Business Matching Grant Program.
The primary objective of the Small Business Matching Grant Program (SBMG) is to provide grants to commercialization-ready life sciences and technology companies that have received at least the equivalent of a Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grant from federal agencies such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Science Foundation (NSF), Department of Defense (DOD), etc.
Grants will provide matching support capped at $500,000 per company to Phase II or Post Phase II SBIR or STTR grants already awarded to applicant companies. Through the SBMG Program grants, the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center will help companies that have developed now commercialization-ready technologies reach production and create jobs in the Commonwealth. Through two rounds of this program, we have awarded seven (7) companies three million five hundred thousand dollars ($3.5M).
Target applicants are emerging life sciences companies whose products are production-ready and have high potential for market adoption and penetration, are poised for rapid growth that will create jobs in the Commonwealth, and are positioned for additional financing.
To learn more about the program, see the Mass Life Sciences website at www.masslifesciences.com
Merrimack Valley Small Business Center - Upcoming Workshops
The Merrimack Valley Small Business Center is now in it's eleventh year of providing services to small business in Lowell and the surrounding communities.
The center, which is a program of Community Teamwork in Lowell, works in collaboration with the City of Lowell, UMass Lowell and Middlesex Community College. It's services are available to residents and businesses in Billerica.
Upcoming classes include the following:
Social Media
Monday, February 13, 2012 / 1:00 -3:00 pm
This workshop is offered in partnership with the Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce and Lowell Telecommunications Corporation. “The Times, They Are A-Changin”, and we know that social media marketing now plays a vital role in the success of businesses and organizations. This seminar provides an overview of various online marketing tools including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube. If you are a beginner or intermediate user, you will benefit from this workshop taught by Danielle Bergeron, President and CEO of the Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce, who has years of experience promoting her own business through social media.
COST: no fee
LOCATION: Lowell Telecommunications Corporation (LTC) studios, 246 Market Street, Lowell, MA 01852
RSVP: shargis@comteam.org, 978-322-8400
Unlocking Profitability with Accounting - Comprehensive 2-night Workshop
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 & Thursday, February 9 / 6:00 -9:00 pm
There are some basic business metrics that every business person should know by heart when discussing their business. Here's a list:
- What are my sales?
- What are my goals and budgets?
- What are my fixed costs?
- What are my variable costs?
- What is my breakeven point?
- What is the ageing of my receivables?
- What is the cost of goods sold percentage?
- What are my top 10 best sellers?
- How much do I have tied up in inventory?
- What does my cash flow look like for the next three months???
Don’t know these numbers? Then this 2-night workshop will help you transform from running a business to managing a business and getting the most profit out of it. In this workshop, you will learn how to:
- Increase profitability by monitoring and managing your cost of goods sold;
- Increase sales and profits through effective inventory management;
- How to reduce inventory while increasing customer satisfaction and sales;
- How to make your business more resilient in challenging economies;
- How to survive and, perhaps, even prosper in difficult times;
- Learn how to get ready to borrow.
COST: $20 for both nights
LOCATION: The Center, 88 Middle St., 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA 01852
RSVP: shargis@comteam.org, 978-322-8400
Building a Successful Business by Defining, Executing & Measuring Performance - Comprehensive 2-night Workshop
Offered the following dates: Wednesday, February 22, 2012 & Thursday, February 23 / 6:00 – 8:00 pm
The first night of this workshop will emphasize understanding your market and how to target specific product and services to solve their problems. This workshop also addresses the importance of integrating functions within the business to insure productivity and profitability. The second night will emphasize the need to develop an operating plan that is aligned to achieve defined strategies within the business. In addition, it will help you to define how you measure performance.
This workshop is taught by Michael Salach, a results-oriented executive who has a unique blend of entrepreneurial business development skills. Michael founded The Bay State Consulting Group, Inc., which provides an array of management, coaching and business consulting services. Michael is also an instructor at the University of Massachusetts Lowell and Northern Essex Community College where he teaches marketing and sales, strategic & business planning, organizational design & franchising and a variety of entrepreneurial seminars.
COST: $20 for both nights
LOCATION: The Center, 88 Middle St., 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA 01852
RSVP: shargis@comteam.org, 978-322-8400
Local Business News...
Habitat for Humanity - Looking for Families To Be Homeowners
Are you looking for an opportunity to buy a simple,
decent home at 0% interest?
Come learn more at Habitat for Humanity's information meeting! Home-ownership Information and applications will be available at the following meetings:
Thursday February 23, 2012- 6:00 pm
Community Teamwork
155 Merrimack Street
Lowell, MA
Saturday February 25, 2012- 10:30 pm
Burlington Public Library
22 Sears Street
Burlington, MA
In order to apply, you MUST attend meeting to receive an application. For more information or to RSVP, contact 978-692-0927 or email info@lowellhabitat.org
Walk-ins Welcome
Habitat for Humanity - Retail Store Manager Needed
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Lowell is building more homes AND growing their organization. Habitat, the number one private homebuilder in the US, is expanding their capacity in order to build more simple decent homes in the Greater Lowell area.
In order to meet the increasing need, they are increasing staff in the area and currently have openings for the following position:
Retail Store Manager (Full Time): Establishes and manages the entire retail operations for a major (20,000 sq ft) operation. Manages the front-end merchandizing, back room warehousing, product sourcing, volunteer and staff management, financials, and general retail operations. Must have a proven track record in retail management, supervision, and general commitment to our mission. Construction experience a plus but not necessary.
Please forward all resumes to info@lowellhabitat.org before 2/15/12. Do not call the office.
Cabot Completes $450M Sale of Specialty Metals Unit
Excerpts from January 23rd Mass High Tech Business News Article by Michelle Lang
Cabot Corp., a Boston specialty metals company, has closed the sale of its supermetals business, expected to bring in proceeds of at least $450 million, to Australia-based Global Advanced Metals.
The sale, which was first announced in August 2011, focuses on tantalum ore, a specialty metal used to manufacture products for the electronics, aerospace, chemical manufacturing and other industries.
Since August, terms of the original agreement have changed slightly. The up front cash payment is still expected to give Cabot $175 million upon sale closing. Contingent cash payments will total at least $275 million – a $50 million boost to the previously planned minimum cash payment of $225 million – to be paid within a two-year period. Cabot’s facilities in Boyertown, Pa., and Aizuwakamatsu, Japan, will be included in the sale.
The Boston company continues to hold a Manitoba, Canada-based mining facility to mine tantalum and cesium. Its product specialties include carbon black, fumed silica, inkjet colorants, aerogel and cesium formate drilling fluids.
To read the full article, see the Mass High Tech Business news website at www.masshightech.com
MassDev Makes New Loans Available for Tech Startups
Excerpts from January 23rd Mass High Tech News Article by Rodney Brown
MassDevelopment, the finance and development agency of Massachusetts, has added a bunch of new loan products to its arsenal including one targeting emerging technology companies.
According to a release from MassDevelopment, the new Emerging Technology Fund Term Working Capital Loan “will finance staffing and other working capital needs for growing emerging technology companies, helping them increase employment and production.”
MassDevelopment’s new president and CEO Marty Jones said in a statement that the new loan products “will increase our backing of the Massachusetts business and nonprofit community.”
The new Emerging Technology loan offering was approved at the January board of directors meeting for MassDevelopment, which also announced two other loan products – a Multifamily Real Estate Loan that will finance development of apartment units with a focus on downtown and transit-oriented projects, and a Commercial Real Estate Improvement Loan that will support employment and downtown revitalizations, according to the release.
To read the full article, see the Mass High Tech News website at www.masshightech.com
From Greater Lowell Raytheon Plants, Technology Helping Taiwan Defend Itself
Excerpts from January 23rd Lowell Sun Article by Joyce Tsai
Located more than 15,000 miles away from the leaf-shaped island of Taiwan is a local assembly plant whose manufacturing operations play a vital role in defending the faraway country from potential military attack. Tewksbury-based Raytheon Co.'s Integrated Defense Systems business has a partnership with Taiwan that dates back more than 45 years, said Lloyd Beckett, one of Raytheon's program managers for Taiwan's Patriot Air and Missile Defense System. And just four miles away is Raytheon's Integrated Air Defense Center in Andover, where the Patriot systems are assembled. Similar plants are located in El Paso, Texas, and Huntsville, Ala.
Patriot missiles use complex radars to detect, target and hit an incoming enemy missile that may be no more than 10 to 20 feet away and flying at three or four times the speed of sound. They are designed to safeguard both troops and civilians from aircraft and cruise-missile attacks. Just last month, Raytheon made big news when it inked a $685.7 million contract with Taiwan to provide it with additional fire units for its Patriot system. In fact, it's the third contract in the last four years Raytheon has signed with Taiwan to upgrade its Patriot missile systems.
Tewksbury-based Raytheon's Integrated Defense System unit has more than 14,000 employees nationwide -- as well as 5,000 at its Andover plant. And the contract will help stabilize its business operations for about three to five years, he said. "Not only does it help to sustain jobs for us, but for many of our suppliers all over the U.S.," Beckett said. Raytheon has about 3,000 suppliers that are located locally, nationally and internationally. "Everyone gets a lift out of this," he said.
But is it enough? Experts say no. Julian Chang, an Executive Director of the Rajawali Foundation Institute for Asia at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government who specializes in Taiwan-China relations, said China has between 1,500 to 2,000 missiles that are aimed at Taiwan from across the Taiwan Straits. For Taiwan's current Patriot system to be effective as a deterrent, it would need to take out 40 percent to 60 percent of the incoming missiles from a Chinese missile attack, Chang said.
But it is "doubtful that that they have that capacity now," he said, and even with 60 percent of airborne missiles being shot down, that leaves hundreds of missiles that would come through. In fact, it was many Taiwanese's fear of attack by China that was the tipping point for their decision to re-elect incumbent President Ma Ying-Jeou on Saturday, who has adopted more China-friendly policies, Chang said.
Daniel Blumenthal, who is a current commissioner and former vice chairman of the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission at the American Enterprise Institute, said that although the upgraded Patriot systems help Taiwan's defense, the United States is falling short of its obligations to defend Taiwan, based on the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979. That legislative act ensured that the United States would provide Taiwan with the arms and services it needs to defend itself against coercion or attack by China. And it promised the United States would maintain its own military capacity in the Pacific to resist coercion of Taiwan, he said.
To read the full article, see the Lowell Sun's website at www.lowellsun.com
Raytheon Lands $51.3M Missile Contract
Excerpts From January 16th Lowell Sun News Item
Raytheon Co. said Monday that its Integrated Defense Systems unit has been awarded a $51.3 million contract to upgrade Patriot missiles for the Army's Guidance Enhanced Missile-Tactical (GEM-T) configuration. The contract is a follow-on to a program started in 2000. Raytheon officials said in a press release that the upgrades include replacement of select components that increase reliability and extend the service life of the missile. Work is being performed at Raytheon's Integrated Air Defense Center, which employs more than 3,000 people in Andover.
Raytheon is the prime contractor for both domestic and international Patriot air- and missile-defense systems. The company is Greater Lowell's largest private employer, with sites in Tewksbury, Billerica and Andover. It's expected to report 2011 sales of more than $25 billion later this month.
To read the full news item, see the Lowell Sun's website at www.lowellsun.com
Bruker Corp. Lands $1.3M Contract
From January 16th Lowell Sun News Item
Bruker Corp. announced Monday that it has landed an order to supply nearly $1.3 million in equipment to be used at a new stainless-steel manufacturing facility in Alabama. In a press release, Bruker officials said it will provide elemental-analysis systems and automation equipment to ThyssenKrupp Stainless USA. The gear will be used analyze the quality of stainless steel.
Bruker will also provide laboratory instruments including combustion-gas analyzers. The stainless steel plant is expected to be completed later this year. Bruker makes life-science and materials-research products for pharmaceuticals and biotech companies. It registered 2010 sales of $1.3 billion.
To read the news item, see the Lowell Sun's website at www.lowellsun.com.
Raytheon Lands $582.5M as Part of UAE Contract
Excerpts from January 10th Lowell Sun News Item
The United States has reached a contract to sell $3.48 billion in missiles and related technology to the United Arab Emirates, and a local unit of Raytheon Co. is getting a chunk of the deal. The deal is seen as part of a massive buildup of defense technology among friendly Mideast nations near Iran. Raytheon announced Friday night that its Integrated Defense Systems unit landed a $582.5 million contract to provide radar gear as part of a missile-defense system for the U.A.E.
The contract is part of the first sale of so-called Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile systems to an international customer. It's part of a broader deal that includes a contract with Lockheed Martin to produce the highly sophisticated THAAD weapon system for the U.A.E. It includes 96 missiles, along with supporting technology, according to Pentagon spokesman George Little. Dave Gulla, Raytheon's vice president of Global Integrated Sensors, said in a statement that the radar gear will provide "unprecedented surveillance and defensive capabilities."
"With this contract, the UAE becomes the first international customer to acquire the world's most advanced mobile radar, which better positions the Emirates to defend itself from threats," Gulla said. Raytheon employs about 6,000 people locally at IDS facilities in Tewksbury and Andover.
To see the full article, see the Lowell Sun's website at www.lowellsun.com.
Bruker unit lands $40M contract
Bruker Corp.'s Energy & Supercon Technologies unit reported last week that it has received an order worth at least $40 million to provide metallic, low-temperature superconductors to an unnamed Asian manufacturer. The client makes magnetic resonance imaging magnets, Bruker officials said in a press release. Bruker said it previously landed $71 million in similar orders to two other entities in November. Bruker Energy & Supercon Technologies Inc., a subsidiary of Bruker Corp., makes advanced superconducting materials and superconducting devices for the alternative-energy markets. Shares of Bruker closed Friday at $13.12, up 35 cents, in Nasdaq trading.
To read the news item, see the Lowell Sun's website at www.lowellsun.com
Nuvera Expands Management Team in Support of Strategic Development in 2012
From January 6th Press Release
Nuvera Fuel Cells, leading provider of fuel cell and hydrogen generation products, announced today the creation of three new positions on its Senior Management team: Vice President of Organizational Effectiveness, filled by Sandy Pipitone Davis; Vice President of Product Development and Manufacturing Operations, filled by John Gartner; and Vice President of Commercial Operations, filled by Prabhu Rao.“The leadership team now in place positions Nuvera for a successful implementation of our go-to-market strategy focused on commercial hydrogen products for mobility," commented Roberto Cordaro, CEO and President of Nuvera Fuel Cells. "This new team has great chemistry with one another, diversity within its members, varied experience, and a shared passion for our business. Their collaboration will accelerate our short term objectives of retailing PowerEdge and PowerTap to the material handling market, while reinforcing the long term path to mobility at large.”
Sandy Pipitone Davis, Vice President of Organizational Effectiveness
Sandy Pipitone Davis was appointed to the position of Vice President of Organizational Effectiveness. This new role was created to allow Sandy to bring her extensive experience in talent management, leadership development, organizational alignment, and employee engagement to Nuvera’s growing team. As the head of the Human Resources group, Sandy will be instrumental in managing Nuvera’s expanding recruitment activities. Prior to working at Nuvera, Sandy amassed over 15 years of leadership experience in human resources at Fidelity Investments, Colgate-Palmolive, and The TJX Companies.
John Gartner, Vice President of Product Development and Manufacturing Operations
John Gartner was appointed to the position of Vice President of Product Development and Manufacturing Operations. This new role will allow John to manage the product life cycle from post-technology development through shipment, ensuring a well manufactured and cost-effective product. John previously held senior management and leadership positions at Plug Power and Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory, overseeing various business segments, including manufacturing, product engineering, safety and compliance, process engineering, and product assurance.
Prabhu Rao, Vice President of Commercial Operations
Prabhu Rao has been with Nuvera since its inception in 2000 holding a number of different positions, most recently Vice President of Operations. In this role, he successfully led Nuvera through the ISO certification process, resulting in ISO 9001:2008 certification in February 2011. Previously, Prabhu was paramount in developing strategic business relationships between Nuvera and automotive OEMs. In his new role as the Vice President of Commercial Operations, Prabhu will head the Sales and Marketing group as well as the Supply Chain group, allowing for more effective management of the value streams flowing in and out of the company.
Nuvera Fuel Cells is a global leader in the development of fuel cell systems and fuel processors for both end users and OEMs. With offices located in the U.S. and Europe, Nuvera provides clean, safe, and efficient products for industrial vehicles and equipment in addition to furthering the development of power systems for automotive and transportation applications.
Visit www.nuvera.com for more information.
AS&E edges up on South America order
From January 7th Boston Globe News Item
Billerica-based American Science and Engineering Inc., which specializes in X-ray detection technology, said it has received an order for five of its Z Backscatter Vans from a law enforcement agency in South America. The company did not identify the customer or include financial details of the transaction. The order increases the company’s “installed base in South America,’’ president and chief executive Anthony Fabiano said.
To read the news item, see the Boston Globe's website at www.boston.com
Raytheon lands $685.7M Patriot contract for Taiwan
Excerpts from December 16th Boston Business Journal by Greg Walsh
Raytheon announced Friday it has received a $685.7 million contract for additional new fire units of its Patriot Air and Missile Defense System for Taiwan. Previously, the Waltham, Mass.-based defense contractor’s integrated defense systems’ division landed a contract in 2009 for new systems for Taiwan and, a year earlier, contracts to upgrade existing systems.
“Our partnership with Taiwan dates back more than 45 years, and we are committed to providing Taiwan with the best air and missile defense system capability available,” said Sanjay Kapoor, vice president for Integrated Air and Missile Defense at Raytheon’s Integrated Defense Systems business (IDS), in a statement.
To read the full article, see the Boston Business Journal website at www.bizjournals.com/boston.
UMass-Lowell Lands $1.6M for STEM Teacher Prep
From December 14th Mass High Tech Business News Item by Michelle Lang
The University of Massachusetts–Lowell will be getting a $1.6 million grant to support the commonwealth’s teacher preparation program in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The funds are part of Massachusetts’ plans by the Patrick-Murray Administration to increase STEM-qualified teachers as part of the Race to the Top initiative.
UMass-Lowell won the grant through the U.S. Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (ESE). It is partnering with the University of Texas-Austin’s STEM teacher preparation program, called UTeach, to deliver the program. The $1.6 million grant, to be given over three years, will support 250 teachers in UMass-Lowell’s STEM teacher preparation program. UTeach includes a sustainability aspect to its program, to enable the teacher preparation program to last beyond the three-year plan. The Texas program will have an extra $400,000 in support from the ESE to help UMass-Lowell establish the program.
UMass-Lowell Chancellor Marty Meehan said the program already has students enrolled for the spring semester. “The UTeach UMass Lowell program draws on our strengths in research and experiential education, working in partnership with the Lowell, Methuen and Lawrence school districts,” he said in a statement.
To read the article, see the Mass High Tech Business News at www.masshightech.com
AS&E Makes Sale to Saudi Arabia
From December 14th Lowell Sun News Item
American Science and Engineering Inc. said yesterday that it received its first order from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for a Z Backscatter Van. Financial terms were not disclosed. The van will be used to screen other vehicles at high-threat security locations for explosive threats and contraband. Saudi Arabia has previously purchased AS&E's Z Portal screening system and several OmniView Gantry systems for customs applications. Shares of American Science and Engineering closed yesterday at $69.39, down 39 cents, in Nasdaq trading.
To read the item see the Lowell Sun's website at www.lowellsun.com
Raytheon Awarded Missle Contract
From December 14th Lowell Sun News Item
Raytheon Co. announced this week that it has landed a multimillion-dollar contract to provide missile gear to Norway. Exact financial terms were not disclosed. Raytheon's Integrated Defense Systems unit will provide so-called International High-Mobility Launchers -- a lightweight missile-launch platform that can carry up to six air-to-surface missiles -- to the Royal Norwegian Air Force. Raytheon's IDS unit provides missile defense, radar and naval-combat systems to U.S. and foreign military operations. It employs about 6,000 people at its headquarters on Apple Hill Drive in Tewksbury and at its Integrated Air Defense Center in Andover. Shares of Raytheon closed yesterday at $44.92, up 10 cents, in New York Stock Exchange trading.
To read the item, see the Lowell Sun's websiter at www.lowellsun.com
2012 North of Boston Business Plan Competition
Enterprise Center and MA SBDC Sponsored
Are you a new, emerging or growth company located in Essex County or Merrimack Valley? Then the eighth annual North Shore Business Plan Competition may be just for you. This year the competition has been expanded to include growth companies. If your company is a start-up (less than three years old), growth company (older than three years but developing growth through a new product line, service or expansion) has no venture investment, plans to have 5 or more full time employees (not including the founders) by the end of three years and has no more than $200,000 in investments (exclusive of real estate) you are eligible to enter. All of the information you need about eligibility requirements and the rules of competition may be found at http://www.enterprisectr.org/bpc. The competition is co-sponsored by the Enterprise Center at Salem State and the MA Small Business Development Center.
The deadline for plan overview & entry form application is Friday, January 27, 2012 and for business plans is Friday, February 24, 2012. The 1st place winner will receive a $5,000 cash prize, 2nd place winner will receive $3,000 and 3rd winner place will receive $2,000. A big bonus is that the judges are early stage, venture and bank investors. Your plan will be read by people to whom you would normally not have access. See http://www.enterprisectr.org/bpc for details, entry forms and more information.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Laura Swanson at the Enterprise Center at Salem State University at lswanson@enterprisectr.org or call 978-542-7031
Akeson Field Cell Tower Will Proceed
Excerpts from December 13th Billerica Minuteman Article by Carla Agostino
The Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) has determined the building inspector issued a lawful permit for a cell tower at Akeson Field, thus dismissing an abutters’ appeal to stop the project. Although the Planning Board denied the tower proposal in February, selectmen and a federal court judge trumped that decision when T-Mobile and MetroPCS filed a lawsuit against the town over the summer. Therefore, a court mandate provided legitimate documentation for Mark LaLumiere, the town’s building commissioner, to issue the building permit for the project. “We have a court order, what is Mark supposed to do, not issue it?” said ZBA Vice Chairman Richard Colantuoni. “Someone made the decision to not fight this thing and probably for a good reason.”
Case history
The Planning Board rejected the cell tower, proposed by T-Mobile an Metro PCS, cited aesthetics, safety and proximity to an area used by children. When Town Council reviewed the decision, the rejection was found lacking. The Board of Selectmen, town manager and Planning Board met in executive session twice over the summer, where it was decided to settle with the cell companies rather than risk a lengthy and expensive trial where defeat was more than likely. Selectmen voted in favor of allowing Town Council to negotiate the settlement, later approved by Judge Leo Sorokin.
Tower protest
Christopher Curley claimed the building permit should never have been granted because the proposed tower, as well as variances the ZBA granted in February, are in violation of the zoning bylaws. He said the variances regarding height and setback of the tower should not be upheld because they are not in accordance with the law and abutters did not receive appropriate notification. “The 140-foot setback was not met, it needed variance,” he explained. “Billerica town bylaws say there should be no exception given to the 140 feet setback and states variance can only be given in a state of hardship, so why was it given?”
Because the variances issued on the proposed plans were never appealed at the time, Colantuoni said the decision stands, straying from disclosing details of the initial ruling. Unable to overturn a court decree, he said the situation is really out of the board’s hands, and believes residents would still be facing an impending cell tower whether the board had approved the variances or not.
Colantuoni stressed that the concerns residents have are better suited for the selectmen, the town manager, or a judge, but not for the ZBA. “Whatever the decision of the selectmen, that’s their thing, we didn’t issue the variances based upon revenues to the town,” Colantuoni explained. “We make a decision and it’s recorded as well as the facts about why we made that decision. It’s a done deal, we can’t do anything about it. It’s a shame these are the type of people who are running this town.”
Many agreed that there is generally a lack of communication not only between the town officials and the residents, but also amongst the town’s governing boards.
To read the full article, see the Billerica MInuteman's website at www.wickedlocal.com/billerica
Enterprise Bank - Great Place to Work
For the second consecutive year, Lowell-based Enterprise Bank has been recognized as a “Great Place to
Work for Mid-Sized Companies in America.” Enterprise was ranked by the Great Place to Work® Institute as
#8 in this year’s review.
To learn more about the Great Place to Work Institute, see their website at www.greatplacetowork.com
Harvest Automation Raises $7.8M More for Plant Toting Robots
Excerpts from November 18th Boston Globe News Item by Scott Kirsner
Harvest Automation likes to say it is in the "automated material handling" business. The company's solution is "flexible and scalable," "fault tolerant," and "intuitive." But it's a lot more descriptive to say that the Billerica company is breeding an army of robotic farmhands. The current generation are designed to lug around potted plants as they grow, but Harvest believes that as much as 40 percent of the manual labor performed in the agricultural industry today could be done by bots. And investors seem to be persuaded that it's time to modernize farms and nurseries: Harvest is planning to announce today that it has raised an additional $7.8 million in funding. The new round is being led by Entrée Capital of London and Tel Aviv.
Harvest chief executive Charlie Grinnell says that this summer, the company packed a van with three of their prototype bots and traveled to eleven nurseries and greenhouses around the country for, well, field trials. "All eleven growers gave us deposits on their first purchases, which was really encouraging," he says. The new funding will help get Harvest's product launched sometime in 2012, Grinnell says. Harvest is targeting a price of between $25,000 and $50,000 per unit. The company has 30 employees, and is building a new indoor test facility for its robo-laborers near its Billerica headquarters.
To read the full article, see the Boston Globe's website at www.boston.com
Firm Lobbies for Solar Panels over Billerica Landfill
Excerpts from November 16th Lowell Sun Article by Evan Lips
A portion of one of the state's most polluted landscapes could go green if a Chicago-based renewable-energy company can win the town's permission to install acres of solar panels atop Shaffer Landfill. Urban Green Technologies submitted an application for a special permit to the Planning Board on Monday, putting in a motion a plan that would fill 25 acres of landfill space with approximately 23,000 solar panels. If approved, it would be the biggest solar farm in the state.
This is not the first time a renewable-energy company has eyed the Shaffer site. In 2007 Landerhold Electric of Brockton contacted then-Town Manager Rocco Longo about building a 7-acre solar farm on the landfill. The landfill happens to be part of the 106-acre Iron Horse Park Superfund site in north Billerica. The landfill operated as a dump for commercial and solid waste from 1946 to 1986. It was closed in 1986 as part of a 1984 settlement with the Environmental Protection Agency. The landfill was capped in 2003.
Town Planner Peter Kennedy said the UGT proposal is the most detailed yet for the Shaffer site.
Kennedy said yesterday that since digging even a couple of feet into the capped crust of the landfill would be harmful, UGT has proposed anchoring the rows of panels with concrete ballast blocks which would sit above the grass surface. The Planning Board will hold a public hearing Dec. 12 to begin the special permitting process.
To read the full article, see the Lowell Sun's website at www.lowellsun.com.
Enterprise Bank - Celebration of Excellence
Excerpts from November 10th Lowell Sun Article by Dan O'Brien
It was just another way of saying that time flies when you're having fun. When Richard F. Hadley Jr. arrived on-stage at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium to collect one of two Entrepreneur of the Year awards issued during last night's "Celebration of Excellence" event, sponsored by Enterprise Bank, he was, admittedly, truly shocked. "It's been such a short time when it seems like it's been a long time," said Hadley, founder of Tewksbury-based EnviroTek USA Inc., which helps restaurants earn revenue by disposing of their kitchen grease in an environmentally responsible way. "I was here last time (in May 2010, as an attendee) and just in awe." Hadley's company is just three years old. According to presenter Charles Brophy, CEO of HUB International New England, it has grown to 37 employees and has become profitable in that short time. "A dream has become reality," Hadley said. "It's what happens when you surround yourself with great people."
The keynote speaker was Chris Gardner, subject of the 2006 film Pursuit of Happyness, starring Will Smith. And while he touched upon his story from homelessness to Wall Street ace, his biggest emphasis was his role as a father.
A complete list of winners follows:
Business of the Year
* Jackson Lumber & Millwork, Lawrence
* Whittemore Company Inc., Lawrence
Entrepreneur of the Year
* Richard F. Hadley Jr., EnviroTek USA Inc., Tewksbury
* Frank H. Cann Jr., F.H. Cann & Associates, North Andover, and Coffee Cann Cafe, Lawrence
Nonprofit of the Year
* Challenge Unlimited Ironstone Farm, Andover
* D'Youville Life & Wellness Community, Lowell
Community Service Award
* Lowell Sun Charities, Lowell
* Bridget Shaheen, executive director of Lazarus House Ministries, Lawrence
Educator of the Year
* Michael Delahanty, superintendent of schools in Salem, N.H.
George Duncan Award for Excellence
* MSI Mechanical Systems Inc., Salem, N.H.
To see the full article, see the Lowell Sun's website at www.lowellsun.com