Mayor James J. Fiorentini > Press Release

January 2, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

MAYOR TESTIFIES AT STATE HEARING FOR TAX BREAK FOR SOUTHWICK CLOTHING

Calling it “a great manufacturing coup for the state of Massachusetts”, Haverhill Mayor James J. Fiorentini testified on Tuesday before the State’s Economic Assistance Coordinating Council in favor of a state tax break for Southwick Clothing.  Fiorentini noted that the City of Haverhill had already voted to give Southwick a tax break and urged the state board to do the same.

EACC board member Joseph Bevilacqua of Haverhill, Chairman of the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce, abstained from voting but has been a strong proponent for this project.  Bevilacqua called it, “a great plus for the entire Merrimack Valley.”

Fiorentini noted that Southwick will retain 300 manufacturing jobs in the Merrimack Valley, and under the terms of the tax agreement with the City of Haverhill, will add an additional 25 union manufacturing jobs:

“This aggressive pursuit of manufacturing jobs, at a time when manufacturing jobs are sadly fleeing the country, shows that we can retain manufacturing jobs in Massachusetts and in the United States.  Saving Southwick was a joint effort between the State of Massachusetts and the City of Haverhill and we are proud to have been partners in that effort.”

The EACC unanimously approved the state tax break for Southwick.  Under the tax break which was approved, Southwick will receive a 5% state tax credit on any investment they make in office machinery or equipment.

In exchange, the City will retain 300 jobs and 25 new jobs will be created.