North Attleboro business provides jobs to new migrants in town
NORTH ATTLEBORO — A local business has about a dozen much-needed workers and is helping the town’s influx of migrants at the same time.
The migrant workers have been on the job in recent weeks at Bell’s Powder Coating in the industrial park.
Sisters Adrianna and Karen Hernandez are from Venezuela and walked through seven countries to get to the U.S. border.
“It’s disheartening. Their stories are incredible,” business owner Paul Belham said.
“I like my job,” Adrianna remarked.
“She’s learning English,” commented Assistant School Superintendent Michelle McKeon, who has worked closely with the sisters and other migrant families to get their children into local schools. She noted teachers speak many languages.
Local officials Thursday morning toured the sprawling facility to see the workers firsthand.
The business covers metal products with a powder coating instead of regular paint.
“Glad to see you all here,” Town Manager Michael Borg told the new employees.
Belham is a former selectman who jumped at the chance to help the migrants and town.
“I see it as another opportunity to give back to the community,” he said, adding of his new employees, “They deserve a chance.”
The Vietnam veteran helped evacuate Saigon and is pitching in again to help those who have had the misfortune to live in countries beset by violence and poverty.
“They work hard. They’re very dedicated employees,” Belham said. “They take joy and pride in their job. I wish I could find more workers like them.”
Belham said communication hasn’t been an issue.
“We have many interpreters” who speak French, Spanish, Creole and Portuguese, he said. “I have a very diverse workforce.”
“It’s a positive example of a local business and the invaluable contribution all workers make here,” Borg said.
And migrants joining the workforce is something that needs to be expanded, officials stressed.
“We need to accelerate the process of work authorizations,” Borg said. “Migrants are more than just a number. They have the ability to contribute today and make a difference.
“They provide a contribution to the system that is supporting them today,” he said, adding the migrants are eager to work and that is a sign of how grateful they are for the opportunity here.
Borg and Belham said many businesses in the industrial park have help wanted signs posted.
“This is a tremendous opportunity,” Belham said. “We should embrace the people coming into town.”
North Attleboro is home to nearly 200 newly-arrived migrants, including 67 families with a combined 84 children — 39 of them enrolled in town schools. The migrants are living at the Hampton Inn on Route 1.
“We really need to put the press on Congress and the White House” to get financial help for communities housing migrants and move work permitting along, said state Rep. Adam Scanlon, D-North Attleboro. “They want to be here and they want to invest in our communities.”
Bell’s Powder Coating earlier this year was named a Small Manufacturer of the Year in Massachusetts by the U.S. Small Business Administration and has been deemed a green company.
The family-owned company has serviced a variety of industries since 1998 and has nearly 50 employees.
https://www.thesunchronicle.com/news/local_news/north-attleboro-business-provides-jobs-to-new-migrants-in-town/article_849fc06e-8815-5ff3-aead-00b9dd5cf818.html