Worcester Business Development Corporation

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Grounded in a tradition of economic development accomplishment, the WBDC has played a key role in strengthening the Worcester region’s position as an economic leader in Massachusetts. Through targeted investment and strategic partnering, the WBDC brings skills and resources to challenging and complex projects.

The WBDC has been successful in its purpose, creating thousands of jobs, and generating millions of dollars in annual taxes to the region. It has created and maintained good relationships in each community that it has worked, caring as much for what happens in the community as those who live and work there.

There are many reasons for WBDC’s success — vision, competence, an ability to adapt to economic challenges — but perhaps the most important is private-public collaboration."

~Robert Z. Nemeth

Telegram & Gazette

What a moment; Forsberg is surprise pick for WBDC award

Thursday, 26 April 2012 00:00 |

WORCESTER — David P. Forsberg was relaxed before the Worcester Business Development Corp’s annual meeting yesterday, armed with a prepared speech tucked in his suit coat pocket.

Mr. Forsberg thought his assignment at the meeting was to present the Robert S. Bowditch Economic Development Award to Unum Group. His presentation was listed in the program after opening remarks from local and state politicians.

The WBDC’s annual meeting was called to order at 8 a.m. and in one fell swoop, the tables were turned on Mr. Forsberg. He did not need his speech.

What was not listed in the program was that it was Mr. Forsberg, past president of the WBDC, who was to receive the Bowditch award. It was a major surprise for Mr. Forsberg, and for most of the estimated 500 people on hand at the DCU Center. One of those few who were in on the surprise was Andrew H. Card Jr., who flew in from Texas to serve as the surprise presenter of the award to Mr. Forsberg. Before the presentation, the lights dimmed for a video tribute to Mr. Forsberg.

Last Updated (Tuesday, 01 May 2012 14:30)

Forsberg’s moment

Wednesday, 25 April 2012 00:00 |

Transition leaves WBDC in good hands

Anyone who remembers the downtown Worcester of 1992 and compares it to the city taking shape today can tell you what a difference 20 years make. And anyone who knows the Worcester business community can tell you what a difference one man has made in that transformation.

He would be the last one to boast of his role in any of the city’s many successes — from technology parks and the rebirth of Union Station to CitySquare and The Hanover Theatre — but David P. Forsberg, outgoing president of the Worcester Business Development Corporation, deserves every accolade that came his way yesterday during WBDC’s annual meeting, held at the DCU Center.

During the last 13 years at the helm of WBDC, Mr. Forsberg has been a powerful force in ushering project after project from conception to reality, providing countless new opportunities and making enduring contributions to the economic and social revitalization of Worcester and the surrounding region.

And as numerous speakers remarked yesterday, he has done it with intelligence, warmth, determination, humility, and a deep faith, always putting the needs of others, and the good of Worcester, ahead of himself.

With his family, friends and business associates on hand, Mr. Forsberg was surprised yesterday morning with WBDC’s Bowditch Award.

Last Updated (Tuesday, 01 May 2012 08:29)