August 17, 2005

IN WORCESTER, ROMNEY PUSHES PERMITTING REFORM TO CREATE JOBS

WORCESTER– To help companies across the state expand and create jobs, Governor Mitt Romney today urged passage of legislation that expedites the commercial permitting process and reduces a significant barrier for businesses looking to relocate and expand in Massachusetts.

At Abbott Bioresearch Center, located in the Worcester Biotechnology Research Park, Romney said the state needs a clear and predictable permitting process to help Massachusetts maintain and attract companies.

“This is a no-brainer. If we make it difficult for businesses to grow, we’re not going to have growing businesses,” said Romney. “It’s time to reform the permitting process in Massachusetts so that we can add jobs and chop away at the red tape that keeps good employers from coming to the Commonwealth.”

Romney’s legislation allows communities to opt-in specific sites rather than the entire city or town. This provision was one of the main barriers to the original law passed last year to assist municipalities with expedited permitting. Under Romney’s plan, communities that opt-in agree to complete their local permitting process in 180 days.

“The Governor’s permitting reforms will enhance Worcester’s efforts to support new development and expand existing businesses, thereby creating opportunities for growth across all industry sectors, including the life sciences,” said City Manager

Michael V. O’Brien. “With the support and leadership of our elected officials, Worcester has made great strides towards implementing its economic development action agenda. Permitting reform will help us further those goals, create new jobs and stimulate private investment.”

Officials working with the Worcester Biotech Park would also like to develop an adjacent 35-acre parcel to add up to four new buildings. One of the major issues is the ability to get this parcel pre-permitted to make it easier to market the site to companies interested in moving there.

“At Abbott Bioresearch Center, we have achieved great success by drawing from an outstanding talent pool in Massachusetts and we are grateful that Governor Romney has proposed measures such as a streamlined permitting process to help the life sciences industry thrive here,” said Alejandro Aruffo, Ph.D., Vice President, Global Pharmaceutical Development, Abbott. “We look forward to a continuing partnership between government and industry leaders that will help Massachusetts remain competitive. Working together, we can continue to attract new business and talent to the area and solidify the reputation of Massachusetts as a true biotech leader.”

“A streamlined permitting process would give the Biotech Park the ability to market undeveloped sites more effectively,” said Kevin O’Sullivan, president and CEO of Massachusetts Biomedical Initiatives, a non-profit organization focused on growing the state’s biotechnology industry. “The Governor has it right when he says permitting reform makes the Massachusetts business climate more competitive.”

Businesses in the park encouraged the Governor and Legislature to pass permitting reform.

“Using innovative technologies, Athena provides neurologists and other physicians with diagnostic answers that can improve the quality of health care for patients in a cost effective manner,” said Robert Flaherty, CEO of Athena Diagnostics which employs 150 in its Worcester Biotech Park headquarters. “We applaud the efforts of Governor Romney and the Legislature to reform the permitting process to make it easier for companies like ours to grow in Massachusetts.”

Romney added, “If we’re all willing to roll up our sleeves, there’s a lot we can get done. I look forward to working together with the legislative leadership to lay the groundwork for a stronger, more productive economy.”

###