Moore and Donahue Secure $5 Million for Worcester Visitor Center

Email to a friend Permalink

Thursday, June 25, 2015

GoLocalWorcester News Team

State Rep Dan Donahue of Worcester

Senator Michael O. Moore (D-Millbury) and Representative Daniel M. Donahue (D-Worcester) have announced that $5 million of state funding has been granted for the Worcester Blackstone Valley Visitor Center and the Blackstone Valley Gateway Park.

The funding for the project was authorized and secured by Moore and Donahue in last year's Environmental Bond Bill.

“The Center will serve as a hub to visitors interested in the many treasures that the City of Worcester and Central Massachusetts have to offer,” said Sen. Moore. “Worcester is truly a destination city and I’m proud to advance efforts that support regional tourism, recreation and commerce.”

The Visitor Center and Park will be a full service, multi-use facility that will serve as the new home for the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Central Regional Office. The adjacent park will provide recreational as well as educational opportunities consisting of trails,boardwalks, observational platforms, interpretive signage and kiosks, and paths with connectivity to the Blackstone River Bikeway.

“The Blackstone Visitor Center offers an opportunity to foster economic vitality and growth in the region while providing cultural and educational enrichment to the community it serves,” said Rep. Donahue. “I am proud to have joined my Worcester colleagues at all levels in fighting to fund this project and am very pleased our efforts have been successful.”

The $5 million in state funding will compliment federal dollars which Congressman Jim McGovern announced earlier last year were already committed to the Visitor Center.

Local leaders will convene on Tuesday, July 7th at 10:30AM at a celebratory event scheduled by the Blackstone Heritage Corridor, Inc. The event will take place at the intersection of Dryden Access Road and McKeon Road in Worcester and is open to the public.

For more information, click here.