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Konarka Wins 2009 Annual Economic Impact Award and Rejoins WIB On Tuesday, November 24, 2009, New Bedford’s own Konarka was recognized at the Sixth Annual Team Massachusetts Economic Impact Awards Luncheon. Konarka received the Silver Economic Impact Award for their positive influence on the Massachusetts economy through community involvement, financial investment, and job creation. Konarka Technologies is a solar energy company founded in 2001 by a team of scientists at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Growing since 2001, Konarka has emerged with 75 employees across its two locatons. Konarka’s employee force boasts many of the world’s top thin film photovoltaic scientists. Konarka has introduced Power Plastic to the market, a flexible film containing solar cells that can be incorporated into backpacks, clothing and purses. More information on Power Plastic is available at www.konarka.com. In 2008, the company expanded, opening a 250,000 SF, manufacturing facility in New Bedford. The new facility, located in New Bedford’s Business Park, was the former Polaroid plant. Konarka was able to utilize Polaroid’s existing equipment for rolling out its thin films and more importantly, was able to hire former Polaroid workers who had the skills to run the existing machinery. Furthermore, Konarka’s Manufacturing Vice President, Larry Weldon has rejoined the Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment Board, Inc. (WIB) filling a spot that he formerly occupied as an employee of Polaroid. Teaming up with the WIB, Konarka has continued to engage in community involvement including partnering in a supportive role for Bristol Community College’s Clean Energy Workforce Training Capacity Building Grant. For more information please contact Bridget Alexander, WIB Director of Development at BAlexander@gnbwib.org. 227 Union Street, Suite 206, New Bedford, MA 02740-5946 PH 508.979.1504 • FAX 508.979.5680 E-mail: Webmaster@gnbwib.org |