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MassDevelopment In The News
Cooperation at Core of Marine Relocation in Devens
December 29, 2006: Harvard Hillside, by Don Eriksson
DEVENS - Teamwork and cooperation between federal and state authorities and between the Army National Guard and U.S. Marines was celebrated Christmas week with the opening of a new Marine motor pool facility on Barnum Road.
The reconstruction paved the way for the arrival of Bristol Myers-Squibb Corp. and that firm's anticipated boost to the state economy.
The Marine's motor facility had been located in the midst of property the pharmaceutical giant was considering for purchase. Relocation was critical for the drug manufacturer to come to Massachusetts, participants in the opening ceremonies stated.
Col. Michael Belcher, 25th regimental commander, credited the Massachusetts National Guard with "great generosity" in turning over its building to the Marine Corps.
He likened the move to a basic Marine Corps mode of operation - find the best ground, dig in and hold it.
"We went from conception to chaos to complete in less than a year, which is unbelievable," Belcher said. "This is the ultimate in joint operations. You hear about joint operations in Iraq but you're seeing true cooperation right here."
Belcher also credited the "hard work" of MassDevelopment who, he said, was "kind enough" to take charge. "Without a champion, no project is completed," he said.
Bristol Myers Squibb was conducting a nationwide search to locate a 1.5 million square-foot, $1.1 billion plant to manufacture Orenica, an anti-rheumatoid arthritis drug. Massachusetts was competing with four other states for the development, said William Burke, MassDevelopment executive vice president for military initiatives.
"We were competing with New York, North Carolina and New Jersey," Burke said. "Part of the promise (to the company) was 13 acres I had to negotiate away from Colonel Heard (Lt. Col. Caryn Heard, Reserve Forces Training Area commandant) and part was to move the Marines here.
"Eventually we approached the Guard and Col. Murphy (Col. Raymond Murphy, assistant adjutant)," he said.
"This really has been a partnership," he added, particularly between Devens DPW manager Charles Duval, Marine Staff Sgt. Michael Deveau, Daniel Whelan of A&M Construction of Wakefield (and others).
"It only took 150 days from the decision to move the Marines to completion. That took a lot of teamwork from everyone involved," Duval said.
It was also a joint effort by the state Legislature and Gov. Mitt Romney to generate a special appropriation to fund the renovation work as well as work in Washington by U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy and U.S. Rep. Marty Meehan to help pave the way for the sale of the Army property to the state.
Belcher presented certificates of appreciation from the Marine Corps to MassDevelopment, the Army National Guard Combined Support Maintenance Shop, and A&M Construction.
The former 7,000-square-foot facility was enlarged by 2,500 square feet. A second floor was created as was tool and locker space for up to 70 Marines and Army Reservists on weekend drills. Three Marine units, Regional Headquarters Company, First Battalion 25th Marines, and Ordinance Contact Team - will use it, maintaining 105 vehicles.
"Excellence is not a skill, it's an attitude," Belcher said, standing in front of Marine Corps and American flags, which were crossed in front of a Humvee.
"It's not just one person, it's 100 behind each step. This means a tremendous amount to us in order to allow us to keep Democratic ideals alive throughout the world," he said.
© Copyright 2006 Harvard Hillside.
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