Testimonials

Former Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, Commonwealth of MA

“The Worcester Business Development Corporation is a key partner in our administration’s work to promote growth and opportunity across Massachusetts. Since entering office, we have been proud to work closely with the WBDC to advance new housing, jobs and investment throughout Worcester County, strengthening the region’s position as a place to do business and raise a family. We are grateful to the WBDC for their continued partnership​ to serve the needs of residents and businesses in the heart of our Commonwealth.”

 

Congressman James P. McGovern, US House of Representatives

“The Worcester Business Development Corporation continues to play a decisive and transformative role in Worcester’s revitalization and renewal. Working with federal agencies like the Economic Development Administration and Environmental Protection Agency, the WBDC’s leadership and guidance helps our region secure and successfully utilize millions of dollars of federal grant money. And from Gateway Park to the Hanover Theatre, the WBDC’s staff works hand-in-hand with my own team to help bring economic growth and jobs to Worcester and beyond. We are fortunate to have a team of such vision, expertise, and passion helping to shape Worcester’s future.”

 

Joseph M. Petty, Mayor of City of Worcester

“The WBDC was created in 1965 by City Manager Francis McGrath for the sole purpose of revitalizing the City of Worcester. Since that time the WBDC has taken on the projects that were too risky or too costly for a market driven actor to take on. The WBDC continues to create opportunities for investment that are moving our city forward. These projects contribute to a shared vision of a revitalized downtown Worcester.”

 

Eric D. Batista, City Manager, City of Worcester

“The WBDC continues to play an instrumental role in the development and revitalization of Worcester. Their investment in the City has been pivotal in the creation of housing, jobs, and businesses that improve our economy. In addition to the WBDC’s work to bring Worcester to the forefront of the biotech and life sciences industries with projects such as The Reactory and Gateway Park, we are also grateful for the WBDC’s grant procurement, which has secured millions of dollars for brownfields cleanups to rehabilitate and repurpose properties in the City.”

 

Katie Krock, Central Building Development Group

“For those contemplating complex and challenging development projects, there is no better partner than the WBDC. Their dedicated and knowledgeable staff approach projects with tenacity and creativity. The WBDC shepherds projects from inception through completion tackling challenges ranging from historic restoration, brownfields cleanup and tax credit financing. The successful redevelopment of 332 Main Street would not have been possible without the commitment demonstrated by the WBDC.”

 

Mike O'Brien, Galaxy Life Sciences

“Galaxy Development and Galaxy Life Sciences are honored to be chosen by the WBDC to complete the development of The Reactory biomanufacturing park in Worcester. The new buildings will add several hundred jobs to the City and substantial tax revenue. What the WBDC has been able to accomplish creating the park from the former State hospital property was a huge undertaking and they moved it through the many delicate processes with precision for several years. The WBDC has created enormous opportunities with this project that will benefit many people through each phase of the development, construction and then long term employment. The City of Worcester and surrounding communities are very fortunate to have the WBDC team producing one successful project after another for so many years.”

 

Chip Norton, Franklin Realty Advisors

”The WBDC has been instrumental in many of the major development efforts in Central Massachusetts, for over 55 years. Franklin Realty Advisors LLC has partnered successfully with the WBDC for over 30 of those years. Their efforts over many of those years has resulted in an enormous economic impact in the area of positive economic development for greater Worcester. Our company has collaborated successfully with the WBDC on the transformation of Mercantile Center in downtown Worcester and the Southbridge Innovation Center in Southbridge, Massachusetts.

Their vision, collaborative leadership, and economic knowledge of the resources in Central Massachusetts make them a critical partner in any new development initiative. Partnering with the WBDC enables a company to immediately develop the strategies inherently needed to navigate the permitting, development, construction, and government arena. The WBDC guidance enables the economic progression of a project to become streamlined, and therefore ultimately delivers an economic and civic success.”

 

Troy Siebels, The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts

“WBDC was a key partner in the $32 million dollar historic restoration of The Hanover Theatre in 2007-2008, and has been a strong ally ever since. The WBDC’s Theatre District initiative, began with the creation of a master plan for the district in 2012, is intended to leverage the theatre’s 200,000 annual visitors to build a vibrant downtown.

We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with the WBDC in the Theatre District, and expect that they will be every bit as successful at bringing that vision to fruition as they have been with so many other projects; thanks to their consistent diligence, foresight and expertise.”

 

Timothy P. Murray, Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce

“Throughout the past 15 years I have had the opportunity to work with the WBDC in various roles that I have held as Mayor of Worcester, Lieutenant Governor, and now president and CEO of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce. Throughout that time, the WBDC has been leading transformative collaborations with local business institutions and municipalities to repurpose brownfield sites and underutilized buildings aimed at spurring job creation and tax base expansion. Gateway Park and 20 Franklin Street are excellent examples of this important work.”

 

Philip Shwachman, First American Realty, Inc.

“The WBDC has been instrumental in assisting us as we continue to pursue the redevelopment of the former Draper Corp. factory complex site in the heart of Hopedale.  Their assistance in helping develop a mixed-use master plan and coordinate this work with the Town’s overall master plan has been critical in ensuring that the proposed redevelopment concepts are complementary to the town and will have a lasting positive impact on the entire community.”

 

Jay Bry, Fitchburg State University

“The Worcester Business Development Corporation has been an invaluable partner for Fitchburg State University and our transformative Main Street Theater Block project. The university has long embraced its role in the revitalization of downtown Fitchburg, and restoring the historic Theater Block will play a significant role in that effort. The WBDC has been essential to the theater project since the beginning. Their skilled and creative team members continue to provide key insights and valuable technical assistance as we work with state and federal agencies to move this project forward.”

 

William Aitchison, Ph.D., WuXi Biologics

“As an anchor tenant at the WBDC’s biomanufacturing park, The Reactory, WuXi Biologics is privileged to be a part of their remarkable efforts in driving both the growth of the local biotech cluster and the overall economic development of Worcester. Collaborating with the WBDC, we proudly leverage their expertise to build a strong foundation for future growth, benefiting not only the biotech industry but also Worcester as a whole.”