Patrick plans tour to pitch Massachusetts to businesses

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December 21, 2006

By Glen Johnson , Associated Press The Salem News Thu Dec 21, 2006, 12:15 PM EST

BOSTON - Gov.-elect Deval Patrick is planning to hit the road after his inaugural next month in an effort to retain local businesses and attract others to Massachusetts.

Patrick noted Tuesday that Gov. Mitt Romney pledged to do the same thing four years ago, but the governor-elect said he will deliver, because it's vital to the expansion of the Massachusetts economy.

"Governors of other states and lieutenant governors of other states are frequently here in Massachusetts, talking to our businesses about relocating outside of Massachusetts, and we better act like we understand how important it is to compete that way in that arena," the Democrat said.

First on Patrick's list are companies already in the state. He said he plans to visit key businesses and find out how to keep them happy.

Then he said he's going to travel, looking to bring new businesses to the Bay State. Atop the list there will be companies specializing in alternative and renewable fuels as well as those "otherwise reliant on a concentration of brainpower."

A Romney spokesman disputed Patrick's characterization of the current governor's job-creation efforts.

"Governor Romney reversed the state's economic slump, lowered the unemployment rate and added thousands of new jobs. He leaves Deval Patrick a state that is in much better shape than it was four years ago," said Eric Fehrnstrom, the governor's communications director.

Patrick will be assisted in his effort by Rep. Daniel Bosley, D-North Adams, who will leave the Legislature to serve as a special economic development adviser in the new administration. While Bosley has been an opponent of expanded gambling in Massachusetts, Patrick agreed it would be a "false read" to assume he has convinced the governor-elect to support that position.

Patrick has previously said he has heard more from opponents of casinos and slot machines at state race tracks than supporters of expanded gambling, and he said he would seek to balance the input.

"I do intend to come to rest on that in due course," likely the first quarter of next year, the governor-elect said.

And while Bosley will be coordinating cross-agency development work, "I want to be the one who is responsible for coordinating the economic and business development program here in Massachusetts. ... I don't want to delegate entirely something that other states - our competitors - view as important enough to have their governor involved."

Patrick made his comments after touring a toy-drive center at the Home for Little Wanderers in Jamaica Plain. Volunteers are giving away thousands of toys to children and families in need.

Joan Wallace-Benjamin, who will serve as chief of staff in the new administration, has been president and chief executive officer of the home.

The governor-elect also disclosed that he is leaving tomorrow for a weeklong trip to South Africa with his extended family. Patrick said it was planned to commemorate his recent 50th birthday.

"It would have been longer had the outcome of the election been different," he said.

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