State Awards $8.5M in Workforce Training Grants

NORTH BROOKFIELD — The Baker-Polito administration announced recently that more than $8.47 million in Workforce Training Grant funds to 101 companies, which will enable the businesses to train current or newly hired workers.

Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito announced the grants at Vibram USA, a global leader in the design and manufacturing of high performance shoe soles, outdoor products, and FiveFingers athletic shoes.

Among the local companies receiving grants: Sound Seal Inc. in Agawam was awarded $168,360 to train 59 workers, six additional jobs expected by 2018; Lake Region Medical in Brimfield was awarded $46,002 to train 79 workers; Tiger Press in East Longmeadow was awarded $105,500 to train 65 workers, with five additional jobs expected by 2018; Tapestry Health Systems Inc. in Florence was awarded $58,585 to train 90 workers; Eye & Lasik Center in Greenfield was awarded $61,590 to train 10 workers, with two additional jobs expected by 2018; Valley Steel Stamp Inc. in Greenfield was awarded $123,120 to train 27 workers, with 27 additional jobs expected by 2018. Also, CSW Inc. was awarded $27,500 to train 32 workers, with two additional jobs expected by 2018; Monson Savings Bank was awarded $58,675 to train 84 workers, with two additional jobs expected by 2018; Interprint Inc. in Pittsfield was awarded $38,900 to train 132 workers, with three additional jobs expected by 2018; Modern Mold and Tool Inc. in Pittsfield was awarded $41,280 to train 31 workers, with two additional jobs expected by 2018; Big Y Foods Inc. was awarded $217,123 to train 183 workers; and Kielb Welding Enterprises Inc. in Springfield was awarded $30,385 to train nine workers, with one additional job expected by 2018. Also, Placon IM Inc. in West Springfield was awarded $28,530 to train 28 workers, with 16 additional jobs expected by 2018; EpiCenter in Westfield was awarded $31,170 to train 29 workers, with 10 additional jobs expected by 2018; Sonicron Systems Corporation in Westfield was awarded $30,385 to train nine workers, with one additional job expected by 2018; and Transcon Technologies in Westfield was awarded $109,020 to train 80 workers, with three additional jobs expected by 2018.