October 15, 2004

HEALEY HONORS LAWRENCE BUSINESSMAN WITH INNER CITY AWARD

LAWRENCE – Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey today presented local businessman and entrepreneur, Joseph A. Faro, with the Governor’s Inner City Investment Award.

Faro, a first-generation immigrant, and his family are the owners of the three local businesses: Multi-Grains Bakery in Lawrence; Joseph’s Gourmet Pasta and Sauce Company in Haverhill; and Joseph’s Trattoria in Haverhill.

Presented regularly, the Inner City Investment Award is given to individuals whose leadership and business success have brought new economic investment and jobs to the Bay State’s cities.

“I am delighted to recognize Joseph Faro for his contributions to the economic prosperity of the Merrimack Valley region,” said Healey. “As his business needs required expansion, he remained committed to maintaining and growing his business and providing jobs for hundreds of people in Lawrence.”

Healey added, “Joe Faro serves as a true example of an American success story.”

Joe and his wife, Gina, both came to America from Sicily during the 1950s. Twenty years later when financial times were difficult, the Faros decided to take a chance and open a bakery. With an initial investment of only $2000, the couple rented out roughly 800 square feet in a shopping center in Methuen, hired a few workers, purchased some secondhand equipment and started baking by hand.

Today, Multi-Grains Bakery is one of the largest wholesale bakeries in America employing 120 people. Joseph’s Gourmet Pasta and Sauce Company produces approximately 8,000 pounds of pasta per hour that is sold in more than 40 states.

Together, the three businesses now comprise a multi-million dollar enterprise that employs roughly 400 people. Eighty percent of those employees come from urban areas in and around Lawrence and Haverhill.

“As an immigrant to America, the cities of Lawrence and Haverhill have helped me live the American dream,” said Faro. “Through hard work, perseverance and support from the community, my family has been able to invest in our community and provide jobs. I am grateful to the Romney Administration for this award.”

Faro is also the recipient of the Northeastern Economic Development Association’s Business Person of the Year award.

Since last summer, the Romney Administration has presented the Governor’s Inner City Investment Award to Coghlin Electrical Contractors and Coghlin Network Services of Worcester, Interprint, Inc. of Pittsfield, George Knight & Company of Brockton, H.O. Zimman Publishing of Lynn, Traditional Breads of Lynn, Eastern Fisheries of New Bedford, City Fresh Foods of Dorchester, Court Square Data Group of Springfield, Visualization Technology of Lawrence, City Lights Electrical of Boston, Mill City Environmental Services of Lowell and Fall River Ford of Fall River.

###