Governor Patrick and Administration Officials Tour Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc. as Part of Advanced Manufacturing Week

Press Release

Governor Deval Patrick today joined state and local officials and Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc. staff to tour the Ocean Spray manufacturing facility and discuss the growth of the Commonwealth's robust advanced manufacturing sector.

"The Commonwealth is a leader in advanced manufacturing, and we want to keep it that way," said Governor Patrick. "By working with our partners in industry like Ocean Spray and academia, we are continuing to enhance the competitiveness of our robust advanced manufacturing industry, for today and the future."

Massachusetts is home to over 7,000 manufacturers with 250,000 employees. Throughout the week, Patrick Administration officials will participate in events that highlight the statewide effort to promote careers in advanced manufacturing and build awareness among manufacturers about the many programs in place to support them. On Monday, Governor Patrick proclaimed September 29, 2014 to October 3, 2014 as Advanced Manufacturing Week in Massachusetts, underscoring the Administration's support of the robust advanced manufacturing industry and its workforce throughout the Commonwealth. The week-long celebration coincides with national efforts to promote the role advanced manufacturing plays in the economy, with the third annual National Advanced Manufacturing Day being celebrated on October 3.

"From Orleans to Berkley, cranberry growers in our Commonwealth have utilized advanced manufacturing to transform their industry through an innovative approach to agriculture," said Congressman Joe Kennedy. "Across Massachusetts, our manufacturing sector is capitalizing on similar advancements to create jobs, spur economic growth and expand access to opportunity. I commend Governor Patrick for promoting growth throughout the state during Advanced Manufacturing Week."

"Massachusetts is on the cutting-edge among states in supporting the growth of 21st century manufacturing," said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Greg Bialecki. "Together with our regional partners, we are ensuring the next generation is equipped with the skills and knowledge needed for careers in advanced manufacturing."

The Patrick Administration is committed to supporting the growth of advanced manufacturing in Massachusetts, an industry that is expected to require 100,000 jobs in the next decade and offers careers in a sector with an average annual salary of $75,000. The week's celebration builds on record investments in workforce training and education made by the Administration in recent years.

Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc. is an agricultural cooperative headquartered in Massachusetts. It is owned by more than 700 cranberry and grapefruit growers in the United States, Canada and Chile who have helped preserve the family farming way of life for generations. Formed in 1930, Ocean Spray is the world's leading producer of cranberry juices, juice drinks and dried cranberries, and is the best-selling brand in the North American bottled juice category. The cooperative's cranberries are currently featured in more than a thousand products in over 90 countries. Ocean Spray has more than 2,000 employees and nearly 20 cranberry receiving and processing facilities. In fiscal year 2013, Ocean Spray posted gross sales of $2.2 billion and net proceeds of $380 million.

Earlier this afternoon, Governor Patrick met with employees at P&J Cranberries in East Sandwich, touring the bogs and the processing facility.

The Patrick Administration has supported the Commonwealth's agriculture industry with more than $55 million in the Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) program, resulting in the permanent protection of more than 180 farms and more than 10,000 acres. In addition, $7 million has been allocated to farmer training, business development and on-farm energy efficiency.

In 2011, Governor Patrick launched the Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative (AMC), a partnership between industry and government to help build a globally competitive manufacturing industry in Massachusetts. Its five-point agenda brings together manufacturers, educators, academia, and other organizations to work on industry-identified priorities including promoting manufacturing; workforce and education; manufacturing innovation; the cost of doing business including energy management and sustainability; and access to capital resources.

The AMC's AMP it Up! Program which launched in September 2012 and is operated by MassDevelopment, works to build awareness among young adults and their families on the opportunities for well-paying careers in manufacturing. Massachusetts-based nonprofit organizations that address education and workforce can apply for funding at www.ampitup.com. Across the Commonwealth in recognition of manufacturing week, the AMC engage manufacturers, schools and colleges to participate in open houses, public tours, roundtable discussions, career workshops and other events hosted by manufacturers.

In June 2013, Governor Patrick announced the creation of the Advanced Manufacturing Regional Partnership Academy, a first-in-the-Nation program designed to meet the manufacturing industry's future workforce needs. The Academy provides hands-on learning opportunities, and tool and peer-education to regional leaders, helping eliminate one of the industry's chief concerns of finding well-trained employees to fill available jobs in manufacturing. Last month, Governor Patrick signed an economic development package that included $12 million for the establishment of the Middle Skills Job Training Grant Fund. The fund will provide grants to vocational-technical schools and community college to support advanced manufacturing, mechanical and technical skills, hospitality and information technology industries training. The fund aims to train 4,000 workers over the next four years to address the workforce and talent pipeline needs of employers in Massachusetts.

"I am pleased Governor Patrick had the opportunity to visit Ocean Spray Cranberries to learn more about our manufacturing sector in the Southeast," said Senator Marc R. Pacheco. "Regional bogs and processing facilities are just one component of our agricultural sector that includes our successful advanced manufacturing industry. I look forward to more investments in this sector through middle skills job training programs that will connect skilled workers with needed employment opportunities across the Commonwealth."

"Cranberries are very important in this area of the Commonwealth and I am glad the Governor is showcasing this key industry," said Representative Keiko Orrall. "This healthy fruit is a huge asset to the Massachusetts agriculture."

Manufacturing week will continue throughout the week with regional events highlighting the innovation and growth of the innovation economy with partners in the business and academic communities.

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