General Dynamics Selected as a Team Massachusetts Economic Impact Award Winner

PITTSFIELD, Mass., Oct. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems has been named as a bronze winner 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.  

General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems was chosen as a winner because it has hired 220 new employees since 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 company currently has job opportunities for an additional 44 workers in Pittsfield. Systems engineers, quality engineers, and business management specialist are all required. Job listings can be found online at www.gd-ais.com/careers.

General Dynamics is very active in the community, working with state and local high schools and colleges to ensure future workforce needs can be met, and through supporting community organizations such as the United Way and Soldier On.

"New England is outpacing the rest of the country in economic recovery," said Greg Bialecki, Massachusetts Secretary of Housing and Development. "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." Winners were selected from five regions from Boston to the Berkshires – from a multitude of business sectors.

MassEcon selected the winners 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.

The winners from each region will be recognized at an awards luncheon on November 22nd at the Seaport Hotel in Boston. Over 400 are expected to attend, including featured speaker Governor Deval Patrick.

"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."

The complete list of winners for the 8th ANNUAL TEAM MASSACHUSETTS ECONOMIC IMPACT AWARDS is available on MASSECON's website at www.massecon.com.

The winners from each region will be recognized at an awards luncheon on November 22nd at the Seaport Hotel in Boston. Over 400 are expected to attend, including featured speaker Governor Deval Patrick.

For more information about General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), visit www.gd-ais.com.

More information about General Dynamics is available online at www.generaldynamics.com.

More information about MassEcon is available online at www.massecon.com.

SOURCE General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems