BOSTON – Gov. Deval Patrick highlighted progress made on the Massachusetts-China relationship during the state's first governor-led trade mission to China in seven years.
Patrick said on Monday that included agreements signed between life science and clean energy groups in Massachusetts and China, a new exchange opportunity for the University of Massachusetts and moving a step closer to nonstop air service from Boston to Beijing.
"This was a powerful trip, and we have returned with many new opportunities for Massachusetts companies to do business or strengthen relationships in China," he said. "The openness to our universities and entrepreneurs was encouraging, and I look forward to the many benefits the follow up produces."
Patrick and members of the delegation met with high-level government officials, including the vice minister of commerce, and the ministers of environment, science and technology, and the general administration of civil aviation. The delegation also met with key industry representatives such as the Chinese Ocean Shipping (Group) Co., Grand China Airlines and Wu Xi Pharmaceuticals.
The trade mission, which lasted six days and included trips to Beijing and Shanghai, resulted in several agreements made between entities across life sciences, clean energy, transportation and higher education.
For example, Massport CEO and Executive Director Thomas Kinton and Patrick met with high-ranking representatives from Grand China Airlines to move closer toward a final agreement for nonstop air service from Boston to Beijing. The airline has applied to Chinese regulatory authorities for permission to operate the flight.
Service between the two cities could begin as soon as the summer 2009, pending delivery of the new Boeing 787 aircraft to the airline. Nearly 70,000 people travel between Boston and Beijing and Shanghai each year, and this service will create more opportunities for business travelers and tourists to fly more quickly and easily to China.
The governor and members of the delegation met with CEOs of companies in the life science, clean energy and transportation industries, leading to a number of new opportunities to strengthen those markets in Massachusetts and some agreements to promote sharing ideas and resources to advance these industries. Some examples include:
Organogenesis, a Canton-based company that develops regenerative medicine technology, signed an agreement with the National Tissue Engineering Center in Shanghai to share resources and open the door for Organogenesis to export its manufactured products to China, and eventually other parts of Asia. Both companies also agreed to work toward manufacturing existing cell therapies on site in Shanghai. That agreement will lead to economic growth here at home and benefit millions of Chinese patients suffering with chronic, open wounds.
The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative signed an agreement with the Chinese Wind Energy Association to promote wind energy research conducted in Massachusetts by Chinese companies working with Massachusetts' universities and to establish an International Wind Energy Fund of up to $200,000 per year to promote research, the exchange of ideas and provision of advice concerning wind energy technology in China, as the country works to address its issues surrounding development and pollution.
The Massachusetts Medical Device Industry Council signed an agreement with the Chinese Association for Medical Device Industry to promote economic and technical development collaborations and partnerships from both sides.
Patrick announced the official opening of the Massachusetts Technology Center on Thursday at the Shanghai Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, encouraging innovation and collaboration between businesses in Massachusetts and China.
Representatives from the University of Massachusetts, Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology strengthened their ties with Chinese academic institutions, including Tsinghua University, and participated in meetings with Chinese scientists and entrepreneurs on topics such as life sciences and renewable energy.
During the trip, the CEO of WuXi PharmaTech asked the UMass about the possibility of pursing an academic-industry partnership that would include coordinating educational visits for company scientists and possibly making online courses and other degree programs available to employees.
UMass President Jack M. Wilson agreed to explore a relationship based on the University's existing programs for Massachusetts-based companies and industry groups. UMass Nobel laureate Dr. Craig Mello also addressed students and faculty at Tsinghua University in Beijing.
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Lanesborough Town Meeting to Vote Budget, Bylaws & Vehicle Purchases
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Tuesday's annual town meeting includes a $14 million operating budget, new short-term rentals, accessory dwelling units and sign bylaws, and free cash article appropriations.
Voters will gather at Lanesborough Elementary School on June 9 at 6 p.m. to decide on 20 warrant articles.
The fiscal 2027 budget is up a little over 10 percent. Some of the main increases are the Mount Greylock Regional School District and McCann Technical School: the McCann assessment is up more than 30 percent based on factors including enrollment and the school renovation project, and Mount Greylock's is up 11 percent.
Article 11 is for the town to vote to approve from free cash the sum of $16,298.48 for the McCann Technical School roof and window replacement project so as not to impact the budget. Article 3 is appropriate $7,586,284 for Mount Greylock Regional School assessment.
Another notable increase was in life and health insurance, showing an increase of about 26 percent.
Ambulance Director Jen Weber is planning 24-hour coverage, which means more staff and a hike in her budget. One of the articles asks the town to appropriate $234,100 to operate the Ambulance Enterprise Fund for salaries and expenses.
Many town departments are looking for new vehicles. The Fire Department is looking to replace its outdated 1996 fire engine. There are two articles related to the truck at a total of $813,366. Article 12 would transfer $225,000 from free cash into the Fire Truck Stabilization Fund; Article 13 would transfer $605,000 from the fund and authorize the borrowing of $208,366.08.
The total includes a $100,000 contingency cost to cover any additional costs if a 2026 model-year chassis cannot be secured before new emissions standards go into effect in 2027.
The board at its last meeting moved the $225,000 transfer to come before the borrowing article, changing the stabilization number. If the $225,000 is not voted on, then they will amend the next article's number on the floor, subtracting the $225,000. This shows the borrowing number significantly lower.
Article 17 asks for the transfer of $80,000 from free cash to replace a police cruiser.
Police Chief Rob Derksen's aim is to replace one vehicle every other year, meaning the oldest vehicle gets replaced about every 10 years.
He stressed that if delayed this year, the town may have to double up in a future year to get back on schedule, and that paying later usually costs more. The article will ask for $80,000 from free cash, the vehicles used to be funded by the BHRD.
Lastly, the Highway Department is looking to replace a 2014 International dump truck that will be a total of $330,000 and will take two to three years to receive.
Money will be used from last year's approval of $250,000 from free cash for the replacement of a 2012 highway front-end loader that was underspent $49,261. Town meeting is being asked to approve a transfer of $53,274.85 from free cash and the use of $227,464 from funds from the Sale of Town Real Estate to fund the balance.
Other free cash proposals include $1,200 to purchase software to support tracking and ongoing maintenance schedules of town-owned vehicles; $42,000 for the replacement of the Highway Department's storage shed roof, $200,000 to reduce the tax levy.
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