With its extensive experience in state and local permitting, the WBDC assists in identifying the required permits necessary and assesses the best course of action for pursuing such permits. The WBDC assists in navigating the entire permitting process, from preparing the permits, attending public hearings, communicating with the permitting authority, and help foster the permit applications through the process. Additionally, the WBDC assists clients in execution of permits and provide compliance guidance through the various permitting stages.

The WBDC can assist municipalities in identifying various Federal and State grant sources that are available, or assist when they do not have the capacity to write, apply, and administer the grant while balancing other operations. Grants can be used to plan for development, as well as design and construct and relocate water lines, sewer lines, roadways, or to upgrade or improve existing infrastructure. To date, the WBDC has successfully secured over $50 million in Federal and State grants. The WBDC utilizes its extensive grant writing skills to develop a strong grant application and follow it through the approval process, helping to advocate on behalf of the project.

Tax credits are an invaluable resource to any real estate project; however, navigating the rules and regulations to obtain these credits can be a time-consuming and difficult process. The WBDC has significant experience in identifying and obtaining various tax credits to bolster the economic feasibility of development projects. The WBDC can identify a team of experts whose roles are to obtain and coordinate the various tax credits to ensure the greatest impact and overall versatility of the development project.

One of the keys to successful development is implementing an order and a strategy for development. With its extensive experience, the WBDC can conduct an analysis of development potentials and market conditions to create a vision statement. This vision statement will help in developing an implementation strategy that may include environmental remediation, land assembly, infrastructure improvements, strategic financing, and grant strategies to maximize development potential and return on investment. Throughout the project, the WBDC will continue to evaluate reports, progress, next steps, and overall goals and strategies to ensure the best development possible.

With an extensive history of successful completion of both small and large-scale Brownfields projects, the WBDC can offer clients assistance in conducting environmental testing, as well as determining the most comprehensive, cost-effective approach to remediation of contaminated sites. With a successful past of obtaining grant funds from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the WBDC can assist developing a creative financing and grant source mechanism to assess and remediate contaminated Brownfields projects.

The WBDC prides itself in its ability to offer a wide range of services to fit each clients’ individual needs, offering assistance in overall project planning, coordination, and consultation from the inception of a project until its completion. With project experience ranging from the historic rehabilitation of a Broadway-style theatre to the construction of an industrial roadway, the WBDC has successfully represented its clients and delivered high-quality results to each project it takes on.

Land assembly is a challenging process that requires creativity, negotiation and a good deal of problem solving. The WBDC has a record of accomplishment in creating pad ready sites from complicated ownership structures to maximize development potential. Projects may include land assembly from public and private entities. Land assembly is essential for an array of end uses including sports complexes to manufacturing and technology clusters.

The WBDC coordinates administration of all real estate functions and oversees a team of experienced contractors. With these services, the Property Management Division actively responds to the needs of property owners throughout the City of Worcester. The WBDC works to properly manage the property, maintaining a clean, safe, and accessible workplace for existing tenants, limiting deferred maintenance and unexpected expenses. From emergency on-call service, maintenance contracts, monthly & yearly inspections, evaluations for routine service for life of equipment, and accounting services, WBDC Property Management Division provides affordable, efficient, service.

As an authorized Certified Development Corporation (CDC) since 1981, the WBDC assists small business owners investing in the growth of their companies through the SBA 504 Loan Program. WBDC partners with local banks, accountants, real estate brokers, attorneys, and their clients to identify and structure the most beneficial financing program appropriate for the acquisition of real estate, land, construction of a new facility, machinery, and equipment. The 504 Loan Program creates jobs which create jobs and expands the tax base for the New England region. The SBA 504 Loan offers long-term, below-market, fixed rate financing to small businesses. Since inception, the WBDC has approved loans totaling in excess of $100 million with over 250 growing businesses in Massachusetts creating more than 5,000 jobs.