Archive for the ‘News’ Category

By Brian Boyd

A New Bedford company that designs and builds solar projects is bullish on the market for the alternative energy source in Massachusetts.

Beaumont Solar Co. is touting the appetite for solar power by holding an industry roundtable this week. Nationally, the solar industry is expected to grow tenfold over the next six years. This state will attract much of the business thanks to policy initiatives, said Phil Cavallo, president of Beaumont Solar.

“Massachusetts is one of the most sought after states,” he said. “The state is sought after because the regulatory environment is great, and the incentive … Read entire story

by Jon Chesto

The latest unemployment rates tell you what you need to know about these cities’ economies. Lawrence’s topped the list, at 15.8 percent. Fall River’s wasn’t far behind, clocking in at 15.5 percent. Its South Coast sibling, New Bedford, was at 14.1 percent.

For the umpteenth time, the so-called “gateway cities” had some of Massachusetts’ highest jobless rates. Sure, the rates in February were also high on Cape Cod and the Vineyard. But those economies will come alive in a couple months, as they always do when the weather warms up. The same rebirth won’t happen this spring … Read entire story

By Kristina Egan and Steve Smith

Kristina is director of transportation for Massachusetts. Steve Smith is executive director of the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District.

AMMassachusetts is the home of the first subway built in the United States. Once a national leader in transportation innovation, we are now home to the MBTA, which carries the largest debt burden among all public transportation authorities in the nation. MassDOT is also drowning in debt that hobbles the commonwealth’s roads and bridges and prevents investments in infrastructure critical to the state’s economy.

Our aging public transportation system is financially unable to … Read entire story

By Beth Perdue

WESTPORT, Mass. — U.S. Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., told area businesses that the country must continue to invest in communities like Fall River at the same time it is making spending cuts.

Kerry, was the featured speaker at the March 16 Fall River Area Chamber of Commerce of Industry annual meeting where he argued that cuts must be balanced by revenue increases.

“You have to invest to grow,” he said. “We believe very deeply that we’ve got to be able to invest in these communities.”

In his comments, Kerry said health care is the biggest budget problem, … Read entire story

By NATALIE SHERMAN

NEW BEDFORD — A newly renovated New Bedford Art Museum opened last week, with a polished vinyl floor and striking, multi-color walls that the directors hope will allow them to display more 3-D exhibits more frequently, increasing foot traffic to the museum.

“It’s about the future of New Bedford and about bringing people in and really showcasing the art we have,” Museum Executive Director Kate Ross said at Tuesday night’s official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the room’s new City Gallery.

“We’re really going to create some energy in this place.”

The City Gallery will be reserved for shows … Read entire story

By The New England Business Bulletin

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — Mayor Jon Mitchell joined with New Bedford business owner Nooshin Navidi to celebrate the official grand opening of MUSE Studio, a new downtown gift gallery and design studio.

The new gallery, which offers a selection of cards & stationery, uncommon gifts, jewelry, home decor, vintage treasures and works by local artists is located in a redesigned storefront at the corner of Pleasant and Spring Streets in downtown New Bedford. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at the site on March 8.

For more information, visit www.muse-studio.org.

March 23, 2012 4:51 … Read entire story

By Brian Boyd

NEW BEDFORD — Local businesses owners and residents are voicing support for the first phase of Acushnet Avenue improvements, but questions remain about future plans.

The city is planning to spruce up Acushnet Avenue with wider sidewalks, new lighting and landscaping, starting with the stretch from Coggeshall Street to Sawyer Street in the first phase. Work is slated to begin next month and end in June 2013.

Business owners see a potential for the project to make the Avenue more attractive and draw more customers.

“It will bring more clients, more jobs,” said Maria Raposo, owner of … Read entire story

By DON CUDDY

NEW BEDFORD — The Steamship Authority is taking another look at the feasibility of operating direct freight service from New Bedford to Martha’s Vineyard.

The recent decision to retire the MV Governor, an aging ferry built in 1954, has prompted a discussion about ways to improve ferry service, according to Wayne Lamson, the authority’s general manager. Building a new vessel large enough to carry more truck traffic to the islands from off-Cape is one option the authority will examine, he said.

This would not be the first time that freight gets shipped over the New Bedford route. … Read entire story

By Steve Urbon

NEW BEDFORD — The decision by NStar to buy power from Cape Wind as part of a merger with Connecticut-based Northeast Utilities is a huge boost to the development of a 20-acre site at South Terminal for marine construction, shipping and repairs, those involved told The Standard-Times today.

The deal, in which the company would buy 27.5 percent of Cape Wind’s power, will help the merged companies meet the state’s desire for affordable renewable energy, according to NStar spokesman Michael Durand.

House Minority Leader Bradley Jones Jr. is calling Gov. Deval Patrick’s strategy “legalized extortion,” but together … Read entire story

By Brian Boyd

NEW BEDFORD — A growing local manufacturer of custom-made bags and covers has moved into a larger space in the North End and has plans to hire more employees.

Under Cover, which was bursting at the seams in a 1,000-square-foot space in Fairhaven, has moved into a Hatch Street location that is seven times larger, said Peter Arsenault, the company’s chief of operations.

“We had satellite storage everywhere,” he said. “It was just getting a little crazy. We were tripping over each other in the space.”

The company plans to hold a grand reopening party this afternoon … Read entire story