Manufacturing firms in Central Massachusetts have been awarded a combined $1.83 million from the state, in an effort to help provide small and midsized firms with equipment and capacity to meet demand.
The funding was facilitated by Massachusetts Technology Collaborative’s Center for Advanced Manufacturing, part of a wider $4.6-million effort across the state to support the creation of up to 153 jobs and the upskilling of 164 employees, according to a press release issued by the Gov. Maura Healey Administration on Tuesday.
The awards were announced at the Massachusetts Manufacturing Mash-Up event hosted at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough on Tuesday. The money will fund equipment and technology upgrades to help improve efficiency, increase output, and integrate automation into production.
“The Massachusetts Manufacturing Mash-Up is paving the way for a strong and connected manufacturing sector by providing an essential forum for companies, innovators and future talent to engage and collaborate,” Gov. Maura Healey said in the press release. “Our state is lucky to have such a well-rounded ecosystem. MMAP is enabling the growth and modernization of manufacturers across Massachusetts.”
The funds are being provided by five nonprofit organizations, which includes the Worcester-based Venture Forum and Northbridge-based Blackstone Valley Hub for Workforce Development.
The 11 firms receiving funds are:
- All‑Steel Fabricating in Grafton – $200,000
- Antron Engineering & Machine in Bellingham – $200,000
- ESCO Tool in Holliston – $200,000
- Lincoln Tool & Machine in Hudson – $200,000
- Mercury Wire Products in Spencer – $200,000
- Micron Solutions in Fitchburg – $200,000
- Powders On Demand in Worcester – $200,000
- Rocheleau Tool & Die in Fitchburg – $200,000
- New City Ice Cream in Shirley – $186,996
- Pro Workforce Performance in Wayland – $33,607
- True Robotics in Northbridge – $8,694
This year’s grants come after the same program allocated $449,000 to four Central Massachusetts businesses last year.
Eric Casey is the managing editor at Worcester Business Journal, who primarily covers the manufacturing and real estate industries.
