Community Renewal Good Stories - Lawrence

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Semiconductor Company Reaps Benefits of RC Employment Credits and Assists Community

Lawrence, Massachusetts, RC

When faced with the loss of traditional industrial jobs, RC cities can attract new businesses to turn around their economies. In Lawrence, Massachusetts, Microsemi Corporation-a leading supplier of semiconductors to the aerospace, defense, and communication industries-operates a highly efficient production facility in the city's RC. Microsemi's expansion and ongoing job growth have helped boost the city's economy.

Microsemi-Lawrence provides more than 300 jobs-29 held by RC residents. This allows the company to claim as much as $43,500 in employment tax credits annually, according to Bryan Schmidt, company controller. When the company recently recruited for 40 new positions, 60 percent of the applicants lived in the RC, reports Microsemi Human Resource Manager Kristin Yencho, who works with the Massachusetts Department of Employment and Training on the company's staffing efforts.

Recognizing Microsemi's commitment to the community, Northern Essex Community College nominated the company for the Excellence in Literacy award for providing English as a Second Language training for its highly diverse workforce-most of whom come from the city's diverse population. Known as the Immigrant City, Lawrence continues to be the first stop for people coming to America. Today most of the city's immigrants come from the Caribbean, Latin America, and Southeast Asia.

Commenting about the increased interest that the RC designation brings to Lawrence, Mayor Michael J. Sullivan says, "The Renewal Community designation gives businesses located in the city an economic environment in which to stay, to grow, and to prosper. It also sends a strong message to new businesses that are searching for a place to set up shop that Lawrence has all the right elements: great transportation systems, a tremendous labor pool, and low-cost commercial space. When combined with RC tax incentives, these factors can greatly reduce the cost of doing business."

For more information on the programs of the Lawrence RC, contact Art McCabe at 978-722-9440.