We don t provide training. The chamber, however, does offer specialized seminars targeted to the plastics, paper and printing industries. The Associated Industries of Massachusetts in Boston has been very involved in efforts to secure funding for the Massachusetts Extension Partnership and the networks program. The challenge will be to get additional funding, said Brian R. Gilmore, executive vice president of public affairs for the association, which has 5,400 members across the state. The mission of the Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership is to encourage manufacturing in Massachusetts and help existing companies remain competitive, said Michael A. Lanava, Fitchburg economic development director, who serves on the partnership s board of directors.
Manufacturing comprises an important part of the north central Massachusetts economy.
Nearly 28 percent of the region s residents are employed in the manufacturing sector, according to information provided by the chamber. However, a recent review of industrial employment in the region showed that manufacturing jobs declined by 2 percent or 20,298 to 19,892 jobs from 1998 to 1999. The region has lost jobs with the closure of several companies since the beginning of 2000. Tucker Housewares in Leominster laid off an estimated 250 to 300 people in April 2000, when its parent company, Zeta Consumer Products Inc., went bankrupt. Tamor Plastics Corp. in Leominster closed in February, and 125 workers lost their jobs.