First phase of computing center completed

Date: 12/6/2011

Dec. 7, 2011

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor

HOLYOKE — State Sen. Michael Knapik posed a question with an obvious answer at the topping off ceremony of the Massachusetts Green High Performance Computing Center on Nov. 29: “Who can’t be bullish about Holyoke today?”

The completion of the iron structure for the two-story building on Bigelow Street was hailed by many of the speakers at the event as a transformative moment in the history of the industrial city.

The 100 percent union labor project is expected to create a total of 600 construction jobs. When completed, the computing center will support 130 research jobs at the partnering universities and 13 permanent positions at the center.

Beyond the congratulatory remarks, though, was evidence the computing center — still a year away from completion — is already making a positive impact. Kathleen Anderson, the city’s director of Economic Development explained that companies are already making inquires about the city and what it can offer based on the efforts the city has made to reach out to businesses and the publicity from the computing center.

Anderson also noted that the Holyoke Clean Energy Innovation Workshop on Nov. 9 and 10 drew more than 120 participants — including heads of battery storage firms, venture capital investors, university computer science researchers, engineers from national research laboratories, utility executives, and managers from demand-side firms offering smart online software.

Holyoke Gas & Electric recently brought on line the department’s new 4.5-megawatt solar array, the largest in New England.

Anderson said that within the innovation district one of the primary goals is having shovel ready sites for development by businesses. The businesses that decide to come to the district will benefit from a more flexible tax credit program, she added.

Mayor Elaine Pluta explained there has already been one tangible infrastructure improvement from having the computing center: a $2.1 electric update for the innovation district.

Congressman Richard Neal noted, “This city was green before green was popular because of its canal system.”

He added, “We need to stop thinking globalization is going to retreat … but what you can’t do anywhere is creativity and innovation and that is what is happening here.”

Gov. Deval Patrick said, “We have to build our own destiny. We can’t sit around and whine. The strategy to invent that future even in tough times is by investing in education and innovation.”

Mayor-elect Alex Morse said he would take advantage of the computing center and use it as a catalyst to draw in other high tech firms. He sees Holyoke’s prominence with renewable energy as an additional draw.

“This is a great start to my administration,” he added.

Following the addresses, elected officials and others signed the final 18-foot-long, 800-pound steel beam, which was carefully put into place by members of Ironworkers Local 7 on the 90,000-square foot structure.