Officials from Factory Mutual Engineering and Research Corp. broke ground yesterday for a major $7 million conference and training center at their Route 1 complex.
Situated on a scenic, wooded 30-acre tract north of the existing complex near the Neponset River, the self-contained facility will feature a five-story private hotel with accommodations for 125 insurance agents attending training sessions, alongside 24 conference rooms and modern dining facilities.
The project is projected to create 50 to 100 initial staff jobs, adding to Factory Mutual’s existing Norwood workforce of approximately 1,400 employees.
Massachusetts Governor Edward J. King joined Factory Mutual Engineering President John A. Love and George R. West, chairman of the Factory Mutual Systems executive committee, to turn the first shovels of earth in a ceremony attended by company executives, spouses, and local Norwood town officials. Praising state cooperation, President Love noted that assistance from the governor’s office in navigating state bureaucracy shaved six to eight months off the project’s timeline. Governor King hailed the new facility as an encouraging indicator for the state’s economic vitality, though he cautioned that regional challenges—such as energy cost hikes and cutbacks at the General Dynamics Shipyard in Quincy—still required attention. (Photography by Larry Welsh).
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
More…
-
Norwood Appeals Board Grants Special Permit for 18-Hole Golf Course Off Route 1-August 8, 1973
The Norwood Board of Appeals approved a special permit for developer Frank R. Simoni to construct a 97-acre, 18-hole golf course off Route 1 near Access Road and the Norwood Airport.
-
Norwood Shuffled in State Senate Redistricting Proposals to Fix Constitutional Flaw-August 1, 1973
A reporting discovery by The Patriot Ledger revealed a major geographical flaw in a proposed State Senate redistricting map, forcing a last-minute shuffle of Norwood’s voting precincts.
-
Seeds Of Vast Industrial Development Planted-July 10, 1973
On July 10, 1973, the industrial committee in Norwood underwent a significant reorganization, appointing local developer Robert L. Rizzo as chairman and establishing a five-member steering committee to promote business and industry within the town. ⠀ The committee’s primary focus was to advance a plan for “garden-type industrial development” on a large parcel of land…
-
$1.8 Million in Major Traffic and Safety Improvements Recommended-September 1, 1972
Comprehensive Traffic and Safety Overhaul Recommended for Norwood in Final Federal TOPICS Report A comprehensive and exhaustive final engineering report, recently delivered to local town selectmen, has outlined a sweeping, multi-faceted proposal to dramatically overhaul Norwood’s municipal road network, upgrade intersection safety, and alleviate escalating vehicular congestion throughout the community. Prepared by the prominent Chestnut…
-
Norwood Selectmen Delay Walpole Sewer Tie-In Amid Flooding Concerns and Scrutinize Police Logs-August 2, 1972
The Norwood Board of Selectmen delayed a proposed Walpole sewer tie-in agreement over flooding concerns, while Selectman William F. Butters clashed with Police Chief James M. Murphy over police logs.
-
Low-Income Housing Site Search Continues-June 21, 1971
While Pellana Road plans are dropped after resident protests, the town advances an 80-unit Nahatan Street senior complex.
-
Eminent Domain Pond Taking Considered-June 16, 1971
A marathon Selectmen session brings high-profile legal standoffs over Norwood Arena noise limits alongside a $350,000 real estate deadlock.
-
Comprehensive Route 1 Zoning Overhaul Proposed Following Impact Study-June 11, 1971
Massive commercial shifts are coming to Route 1. The Planning Board prepares to unveil a sweeping zoning plan designed to regulate growth near the new stadium.
-
Housing Authority Forced to Abandon Two Sites for Low-Income Family Housing-August 7, 1970
acing strict rezoning hurdles on Pellana Road and prohibitive development costs in the Sumner-Union Street wetlands, the Norwood Housing Authority dropped two prospective sites for its 20-unit family housing initiative.⠀
-
Police Investigate Twin Burglaries-July 27, 1970
On the sweltering summer evening of July 27, 1970, Sgt. Nicholas J. Connolly of the Norwood Police Department was alerted to a potential break-in at the Norwood Texaco Station, located at 305 Providence Highway. Upon arriving at the scene, he discovered a window shattered on an overhead door, a clear indication that the perpetrators had…
Discover more from Norwood Historical Society
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.