NORTON - Saying the state must do all it can to prevent the current economic slowdown from getting worse, Gov. Deval Patrick awarded worker training grants Thursday to four area companies and designated the new Attleboro industrial park an economic growth district.

The governor told a gathering of business and government leaders at Norton Middle School that the Massachusetts economy is doing better than the national economy, with lower unemployment and healthier tax revenue projections.

In fact, he said, Massachusetts ranks eighth in the nation in job creation.

"We're faring a little better than the country as a whole," he said.

But, the governor said it is "cold comfort" to people who are out of work.

"We all know it's a worrisome time economically," he said. Patrick said his administration is determined to keep attracting more jobs to the state and hold on to the ones Massachusetts already has by investing in worker training and providing the resources for economic development.

Designating the new industrial park a growth district will help the city attract more businesses, he said.

Gregory Bialecki, undersecretary of housing and economic development, explained later that the designation goes to areas that have adopted "expedited permitting" and have the infrastructure in place to accommodate new businesses.

He said companies often call the Statehouse looking for a place to locate or to expand, but they do not want to wait two or three years to get all the necessary permits and for infrastructure to be built.

Attleboro promises a 21-day permit process and the first roadway into the new industrial park is under construction, thanks to a state grant.

Bialecki said in the future when companies call the governor, he can tell them Attleboro is "development ready."

He said that is an excellent marketing tool for the city and the state and predicted the new park will be filled in five to 10 years.

The grants announced by the governor will go toward training employees at area businesses to make them and their companies more efficient.

Patrick announced that: Hallsmith-Sysco Food Service of Norton will get a workforce training grant of $232,192 for its 415 employees.

Creative Service of Mansfield will get $43,000 to train its 38 workers.

CBM Industries of Taunton is being awarded $22,436 for 18 employees.

Kopin Corporation of Taunton is to get $33,000 for 40 workers.

Patrick said the grants will not solve all of the state's economic problems, but they will help make companies more competitive. He said more grants will be announced in the near future.

The event was attended by Attleboro Mayor Kevin Dumas, Taunton Mayor Charles Crowley, several state legislators, area town and city officials and several representatives of local businesses.

Speakers praised Patrick for being so accessible to the region, noting that has not always been the case with past governors.

State Sen. James Timilty, D-Walpole, said Patrick has attended five events in his district in the past several months.

He said when Patrick first took office in January of 2007, he recommended to one of the governor's aides that Patrick visit Attleboro to get an idea of what is planned for the industrial park.

The aide responded that the governor already knew about it and he would be holding his first cabinet meeting in Attleboro, Timilty said.

Patrick also held economic development events in Fall River, New Bedford and Fairhaven on Thursday.