New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
Last week Governor Baker signed the 2022 state budget which included $150,000 in funding to support the workforce efforts the Massachusetts Marine Trades Association (MMTA) continues to make within the recreational boating industry. The budget Amendment was sponsored in the House by Representative William Straus of the 10th Bristol District and in the Senate it was sponsored by Senator Patrick O’Connor from the Plymouth & Norfolk District.
Co-Sponsors in the Senate included:
Senators Boncore, Collins, Crighton, Cronin, Cyr, DiZoglio, Feeney, Keenan, Montigny, Moore, Moran, Tarr, Timilty and Velis.
Co-Sponsors in the House included:
Representatives Madaro, Vargas, Cabral, Oakley, Ayers, Hendricks, Markey, Robertson, Vieira, Fernandes, Philips, Barrows, Kane, Kelcourse, Giannino, Meschino, Santiago, McGonagle Jr., Ferguson, Diggs, Sabadosa, Muratore, Day, Elugardo, Haddad, Schmid, III, Tucker, McMurtry, Capano, Xiarhos, Gifford, Chan, Gouveia and Whelan.
The MMTA would like to express our appreciation to Representative Straus & Senator O’Connor for sponsoring the MMTA budget amendment. We would also like to thank the 14 Co-sponsors in the Senate and the 34 Co-Sponsors in the House for their support for this very important amendment for the recreational boating industry in Massachusetts. We would also like to thank the 6 members of the 2022 budget conference committee which included Representative Aaron Michlewitz, Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante, Representative Todd Smola, Senator Michael Rodrigues, Senator Cindy Friedman & Senator Patrick O’Connor. Last but certainly not least, thank you to Governor Baker for signing the final budget for the state and supporting workforce solutions within our industry.
The recreational boating industry in Massachusetts has an economic impact of $4.4 billion dollars and employs over 20,000 men and women in Massachusetts. The industry is currently facing a substantial workforce shortage in Massachusetts and on a national level. Here in Massachusetts, there are hundreds if not thousands of jobs currently available. We have the jobs/careers we just need the people to fill them. This amendment will go a long way in continuing the efforts the MMTA has been making on the workforce front here in Massachusetts.
Established in 1964, the Massachusetts Marine Trades Association (MMTA) is the statewide, representative body for approximately 1,000 marine trades businesses in the Commonwealth that employ approximately 20,000 men and women. The mission of the Association is to further the interests of the marine trades and the boating public through the promotion of boating, participation in legislation and professional improvement programs.
