FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                               Contact: Natalia Pelayo

March 20, 2008                                                                                    (617) 722-1551

 SENATE APPROVES AMENDMENT FOR LIFE SCIENCES CENTER IN SOUTHEASTERN MASSACHUSETTS

    Boston , MA —State Senator Marc R. Pacheco (D-Taunton) is pleased to announce that the Senate today approved an amendment to the Life Sciences bill that would provide $10 million for a life science/education training center in Southeastern Massachusetts. Today the Senate built upon and strengthened the House version of the bill, setting far-reaching goals to ensure accountability, safeguard benefits and promote job growth in the Commonwealth.  

 “I am pleased to announce that the Senate secured $10 million for a life science/education training center located in Taunton that will spur economic development and job growth throughout the region,” said Senator Pacheco. “The life science/education training center will be vital in training qualified workers for jobs throughout Southeastern Massachusetts .”  

The amendment, sponsored by Senator Pacheco, would provide funding for the design, construction, development and related infrastructure improvements for a life science/education training center at the former Paul A. Dever State School in Taunton . A13-member board of directors would manage the life sciences/education training center, which would include an education and training facility, and a laboratory research facility with state-of-the-art equipment offering research and development facilities for collaboration with industry partners.

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