January 18, 2005

ROMNEY TOUTS PROGRAM REWARDING COMPANIES FOR NEW JOBS

Bonuses paid for hiring people who have been without work for a year or more

CAMBRIDGE – Governor Mitt Romney today touted the success of a new state program that rewards businesses that hire workers who have been out of work for a year or more and encouraged additional companies to sign up.

The Hiring Incentive Training (HIT) program, launched by Romney in March, provides companies that hire individuals who have been without a job for at least a year up to $2,000 for each new employee. The bonus – up to a maximum of $30,000 annually for each company – will be used to train the newly hired workers.

To date, the HIT program has awarded $63,000 to train 34 employees at 24 different companies across the Commonwealth. Nearly 100 companies have pre-registered for the new program, designed to match the long-term unemployed with the needs of Massachusetts businesses looking to expand.

Romney encouraged other Massachusetts businesses to sign up for the program to become eligible for the state assistance.

“The HIT program is yet another tool we use to invest in our workforce and in our businesses,” said Romney. “Since its inception, the HIT program has succeeded in matching up out of work individuals with good jobs at companies that are looking to grow. We encourage even more businesses to take advantage of the program.”

Romney’s news conference to promote the program took place at PageWorks, a leading digital printing and graphics service firm in Cambridge. The company has already received a bonus to train one new employee and intends to hire more people and therefore become eligible for additional state training funds.

“We plan to expand our operation this year and hire additional employees,” said Ron Creamer, president and founder of PageWorks. “The HIT Grant program helps pay for necessary training that allows us to grow the business.”

“HIT Grants will have a real impact on hiring in Massachusetts,” said Ranch Kimball, Secretary of Economic Development. “I’m extremely encouraged by the response rate from businesses and look forward to seeing more companies expand their workforce as a result of this program.”

Any Massachusetts business that pays into the Workforce Training Fund is eligible to participate in the HIT program. For more information on the program or to apply online, companies can log onto www.mass.gov/hiringgrant or call toll-free at 1-800-252-1591.

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