WORCESTER, MA — Four Worcester projects aimed at redeveloping vacant properties, improving downtown navigation and supporting new manufacturing space will receive nearly $5 million in state grants.
The city and its project partners were awarded a combined $4.95 million through the fiscal year 2027 Community One Stop for Growth program, according to a Thursday announcement from state Sen. Michael Moore's office.
The awards include $3 million to demolish the vacant Denholm Building and create a 1.2-acre development-ready site downtown.
The city and the Downtown Worcester Business Improvement District will receive $250,000 to buy and install four interactive digital wayfinding kiosks and add 88 banners downtown.
Another $50,000 will help fill long-vacant storefronts in the city's Commercial Area Revitalization Districts.
The city and New Garden Park Inc. were also awarded $1.65 million to reconstruct an existing road and install infrastructure supporting up to 1 million square feet of new manufacturing space on Worcester's north side.
The Worcester grants are part of $330 million awarded to housing and economic development projects in 207 Massachusetts communities. The state said the funding could help unlock an estimated $24.6 billion in private investment.
"Facing a shaky economy and high inflation, Bay Staters are looking for signals that we are bullish about the future of the Commonwealth. This year's Community One Stop For Growth grant awards, the largest ever, is the signal they've been waiting for," said Sen. Moore. " I look forward to seeing these dollars get put to use to help boost our economies and make material improvements in residents' lives as we continue to tackle Massachusetts' housing crisis."
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