General Dynamics Has Been Named as a Finalist by MassEcon for 8th Annual Team Massachusetts Economic Impact Awards

BOSTON, Sept. 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- MassEcon has announced that General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems in Pittsfield, Mass., has been named among twenty-three finalists from across the state for the Team Massachusetts Economic Impact Awards, awarded annually by MassEcon (Massachusetts Alliance for Economic Development). The awards celebrate companies that have made an outstanding contribution to the Massachusetts economy.  

"New England is outpacing the rest of the country in economic recovery," said Bob Brustlin, Chairman of MassEcon.  "The Impact Awards recognize the progress that Massachusetts is making by honoring businesses such as General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems that are contributing to this growth." Finalists were chosen from Boston to the Berkshires – from a multitude of sectors. Secretary of Housing and Economic Development, Greg Bialecki, was the featured guest at the event.  

General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems was chosen as a finalist because it hired 220 new employees in 2010. In addition, it has recently invested $12.6 million in facility upgrades to support this employment growth, directly providing an additional positive economic impact to the Berkshires region.

Many of those new jobs are a result of General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems being awarded the systems integrator role for the 12 "Independence"-variant ships in the U.S. Navy's Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program. General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems is responsible for the design, integration and testing of the LCS's mission systems. Currently four of the 12 LCSs are under contract. The company also added high-technology jobs in 2011 to support its work on U.S. Navy submarine programs, a role it has held for more than 50 years.

"The Berkshires and the surrounding region offer an excellent pool of skilled high-technology workers to draw on in filling our requirements," said Mike Tweed-Kent, vice president and general manager of General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems. "Our success is enhanced by the community's support and the Commonwealth's dedication to growth."

MassEcon selected the finalists based on job growth, facility expansion, and investment since January 1, 2010, as well as other criteria including community involvement. Finalists compete on a regional basis, defined as West, Central, Southeast, Northeast, and Greater Boston. Out of the finalists, a gold, silver, and bronze winner will be selected from each region. The winners from each region will be announced in October and recognized at an awards luncheon on November 22nd in Boston.

"As we climb out of the recession, it is important to recognize that there are businesses across the state that are expanding," Susan Houston, Executive Director, MassEcon added. "Growth in the Commonwealth is not limited to one region or one industry; these finalists come from every region of the state and represent a diverse group of industries."

For more information about General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, please visit www.gd-ais.com.

About MassEcon

MassEcon, founded in 1993, is a non-profit partnership of the private and public sectors dedicated to marketing Massachusetts as a competitive location for business.  Its services include the state's only Site Finder Service, which helps expanding and relocating companies find appropriate sites throughout the Commonwealth; the Research & Information Service, which provides companies with the information they need to evaluate the Commonwealth as a location to grow; and the Massachusetts Ambassadors, a network of civic and corporate leaders who help market Massachusetts as a place to do business.  Through these channels, and in conjunction with state, regional, and local partners, MassEcon has helped facilitate the location of over 250 companies including Bristol-Myers Squibb, Straumann USA, Merck, and American Superconductor.

SOURCE General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems