SouthCoast businesses lauded for economic success

By Beth Perdue
bperdue@s-t.com
Posted Nov. 14, 2014 @ 2:01 am

The greater New Bedford business community gathered at The Century House on Thursday to recognize the past year’s accomplishments of the New Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce and honor local businesses and people for their contributions to the region.
At the meeting, three businesses — T. Marzetti Co. in Wareham, Reidar’s Manufacturing in New Bedford, and Hawthorn Medical Associates in Dartmouth — were honored for their contributions to the region’s economic development with Economic Impact Awards. Each undertook significant expansion or development projects , retaining and/or creating jobs.
A specialty food manufacturer, T. Marzetti was founded in Ohio in 1896 by an Italian immigrant. The company makes salad dressings, dips and more and has plants across the United States. In 2014, it expanded its Wareham site by 12,000 square feet, investing nearly $9 million in the project, retaining 130 positions, and creating 25 new manufacturing jobs.
Reidar’s Manufacturing, a family-owned and operated New Bedford maker of custom fishing systems, was recognized for its move to New Bedford, building a multi-storied 15,000 square-foot facility that doubled its manufacturing space. The project represented an investment of $2 million and the retention of 12 jobs.
Hawthorn Medical Associates was recognized for its latest expansion project, which officially opened earlier this week. The 127,000-square-foot medical building, built at its Faunce Corner Road complex, creates about 50 new jobs and allows the medical group to bring patient care services into one easily accessible location.
At the meeting, the chamber also acknowledged the work of iMedia Solutions, a Dartmouth business that has made significant contributions to connecting local high school students with information on and training in technical careers. For their efforts, which include creating the Modern Technology Council, iMedia and its founder, Andrew Faria, received the Education Leadership Award.
For her service to the chamber and community, Lynne Mastera, CFO of Precix, was recognized with the 2014 Outstanding Service Award. The award is given each year to an individual who advances the welfare of the chamber and community.
A UMass Dartmouth graduate, Mastera has served the chamber of commerce for 10 years including as board chair from 2011-2012. She has contributed to numerous committees and task forces, served on the fundraising board of the Schwartz Center for Children, and as a corporator for BayCoast Bank.
At the meeting, the chamber membership elected new board officers with David Maher of Lockheed Martin Sippican accepting the chair position. Joseph Michaud, Law Offices of Joseph Michaud, was named chair-elect; Mary Harrington, of South Coast Consulting, LLC is immediate past-chair; and Carl Taber, of BayCoast Bank, is treasurer.
To view the original article, please click here: http://www.southcoasttoday.com/article/20141114/NEWS/141119611