Hi-Tech Mold & Tool Receives State Grant
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Hi-Tech Mold & Tool received a $75,000 grant from the Massachusetts Manufacturing Accelerate Program.
The Baker-Polito Administration announced the first round of grants from the new Massachusetts Manufacturing Accelerate Program (MMAP), awarding $2,157,416 to 13 manufacturers from across the Commonwealth.
"Massachusetts manufacturers continue to play an important role for our economy, both here in Massachusetts but also nationally, where they're contributing to critical sectors such as energy, defense and healthcare," said Governor Charlie Baker. "Through these MMAP grants, we are bolstering 13 companies through infrastructure investments that will drive innovation, increase efficiency and boost job growth across the state."
Hi-Tech Mold & Tool is a contract manufacturer in the aerospace, defense, medical, and industrial industries. With this award, Hi-Tech will purchase a Haas CNC 4-axis milling machine to support capacity growth in the aerospace and defense business lines. They have secured new contracts from Pratt Whitney and L3 Harris that will require this new added capacity and allow for new hiring to staff the equipment.
"The collaborative work between HiTech Mold, The Berkshire Innovation Center and MassMEP is a perfect example of entities coming together as a system to solve workforce challenges," said State Representative Tricia Farley-Bouvier. "This will result in good paying jobs and stronger companies for the people in the Berkshires."
The grants were announced by Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy during a grant announcement event hosted by Klear Vu Corp, a third-generation family-owned cushion manufacturer that's been headquartered in Fall River for over 50 years.
"The MMAP grants are not only investing in technology, but also developing partnerships between our homegrown manufacturers and organizations that can help them innovate, grow, and find new business opportunities," said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy. "For legacy companies like Klear Vu, we are helping ensure that their products continue to be made here in the Commonwealth for generations to come."
Launched in June 2021, MMAP aims to co-invest in small- to medium-sized manufacturers to better prepare their businesses to meet the demands of "Industry 4.0," the innovation-driven production methods powered by smart technologies such as data analytics, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, automation, and connected technologies to stay competitive.
"The MMAP program highlights Massachusetts companies that represent the next wave of innovators, which are also using these gains to grow output and new jobs," said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. "For many of the workers, these new tools will move them away from repetitive tasks and allow them to focus on higher-value skills, driven by these technology investments."
The MMAP grants will be used by the Mass. manufacturers to invest in infrastructure, funding projects that create partnerships between the companies and manufacturing-focused organizations in the state, including non-profits, R&D centers, and/or quasi-public agencies, to help them succeed. The program builds on the Commonwealth's existing assets, including strong academic presence, a national leadership in R&D, the depth of the Massachusetts innovation ecosystem, and the Commonwealth's long history of manufacturing strength.
MMAP grant applications were launched in June 2021, with applications due at the end of July. Over $10 million in requests were made to the Program by 51 manufacturers from across the state and after a thorough review process, 13 grantees were chosen. The selected firms represent a diverse cross-section of the state including the Berkshires, City of Boston, Cape Cod, Central Mass, MetroWest, the South Coast, and Western Massachusetts:
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