McGovern Welcomes $2 Million Worcester Innovation Center

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Tuesday, April 28, 2015

GoLocal Worcester News Team

On Monday, Congressman Jim McGovern joined representatives from New Garden Park (NGP) of the Worcester Business Development Corporation (WBDC), Worcester State University, and state and local officials for the ribbon cutting of the completion of the $2 million Innovation Center of Worcester.

The Innovation Center is in a 15,000 square feet space at the newly renovated former Worcester Telegram & Gazette building. The Center will serve as a new urbarn entreprenurial center and will focus on addressing the needs of small and emerging businesses in and around Worcester.

“It is clear that Worcester is on the cutting edge of innovative business technology. The central location of this innovation center will draw entrepreneurs into the heart of our City, fueling economic development and a thriving downtown,” said U.S. Representative Jim McGovern. “I am thrilled that the federal government could help leverage local dollars to support this partnership.”

NGP received a $1 million matching grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA) to help with the funding of the project.   

“The goal of the Innovation Center is to build upon the successes of the various incubator programs located within the City and on our college campuses and accelerate entrepreneurial development that has resulted from these programs,” said Craig L. Blais, President and CEO of the WBDC. “Due to the tremendous support of Congressman McGovern and the EDA, the Innovation Center will enhance the City of Worcester’s efforts to attract new businesses, diversify its economic base, and provide economic stability to the City and the greater Worcester region.”

In November 2014, the Innovation Center welcomed its first tenant - Ten24 Digital Solutions. At Monday's ribbon-cutting, NGP announced a new partnership with WSU. The college signed a five-year participation agreement and will be the first insitutional user of the Innovation Center.

“We have seen growing interest among ours students in starting new small businesses – some even before they graduate,” said WSU President Barry M. Maloney.  “This partnership with the New Garden Park will provide them with a real-world laboratory to develop their ideas into business plans. We fully expect it will also provide the city of Worcester with start-up companies led by students from the region, who will stay and grow their companies right here.”

To learn more information about Innovation Center, please visit www.innovationworcester.org.

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