Kennedy, McGovern Praise Attleboro's Revitalization
KENNEDY, McGOVERN PRAISE ATTLEBORO'S REVITALIZATION
PURCHASE AND SALES AGREEMENT TO BRING OVER 300 NEW MANUFACTURING JOBS TO ATTLEBORO
ATTLEBORO, MASSACHUSETTS- Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy joined Congressman James P. McGovern, Attleboro Mayor Kevin Dumas and the leaders of Swank, Cookson Precious Metals, and the Attleboro Redevelopment Authority to announce the completion of a purchase and sales agreement that will bring over 300 new jobs to Attleboro. The agreement transfers property owned by Swank to Cookson Precious Metals in order to expand their manufacturing operations.
"We take well-deserved pride in the city's extraordinary manufacturing history," said Senator Kennedy. "So today we're declaring that Attleboro intends to meet that competition and to lead in the cutting edge industry of precision manufacturing. We've got the skills, we've got the will, we've got the vision, and -- above all -- we've got the people to succeed in this new century."
Senator Kennedy and Congressman McGovern helped secure $270,000 in federal funding in 2004 for the Attleboro Redevelopment Authority to cover environmental remediation costs associated with the property. With this acquisition of an underutilized 193,000 square foot building on five acres, Cookson will expand its Attleboro facility to over 1,000 employees and become the largest user of processed gold in the United States, except for the Department of Defense. This purchase and sales agreement is a major step in the revitalization of Attleboro's economy and downtown as a "smart-growth" urban center, which also includes expanded access to over 500 housing units, construction of a brand new intermodal center and the construction of the Riverwalk to attract pedestrians and add vitality to downtown.
Remarks of Senator Edward M. Kennedy at the Purchase and Sale Agreement Transferring the Swank Property to Cookson Precision Metals in Attleboro April 17, 2006
(As prepared for delivery)
Today, we're making a strong statement about Attleboro's future.
We take well-deserved pride in the city's extraordinary manufacturing history. We're also well aware of the massive new challenges taking place because of globalization, which are making the competition more intense and more important than ever.
We know that the future belongs to the bold, the innovative, and the creative.
So today we're declaring that Attleboro intends to meet that competition and to lead in the cutting edge industry of precision manufacturing. We've got the skills, we've got the will, we've got the vision, and -- above all -- we've got the people to succeed in this new century.
Everyone here today -- from the EPA -- to Swank -- to Cookson -- to MassDevelopment -- to the City and the Redevelopment Authority has shown that with commitment, patience, and dedication we can accomplish great things together for the people of Attleboro.
Because of your skill and hard work, we can be sure that companies the world over will be calling on Attleboro when quality is the issue for decades to come.
We're also here to celebrate a milestone in the bold plan to revitalize the downtown, as a vibrant urban village, and attract investment and residents, and improve transportation.
Your smart-growth approach will ensure that as Attleboro works to meet 21st Century economic challenges, the city will retain its unique New England appeal and remain a wonderful community in which to work, to live, and to raise a family.
With this progressive approach to the future, we know Attleboro's quality of life will be strong and keep growing even stronger in the years ahead.
We'll continue this strong partnership -- to carry out the bold Riverwalk plan to create a new park for families and visitors -- to add housing downtown and strengthen our community and neighborhoods -- and to complete the new intermodal center for the growing number of "T" commuters who are making Attleboro one of the busiest stops in the entire system.
Achieving these great goals won't be easy. But nothing worthwhile ever is.
We'll need to maintain that same dedication on display here today, and I'm confident we'll have it.
So, I thank you all for your outstanding work and for the honor of working with you, and I look forward to the great accomplishments that lie ahead.
You're showing Attleboro at its best, and we're ready to get it done. Thank you all so much.
http://kennedy.senate.gov/~kennedy/statements/06/04/2006417825.html