Press Releases

(Worcester, Mass.) U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern joined U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Matt Erskine to announce a $1 million U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant for the Worcester Technology and Idea Development Exchange (TIDE) and to tour the future home of the Massachusetts Digital Games Institute (MassDiGI) New Venture Center (NVC) at Becker College.

McGovern joined Erskine for an event at the former Worcester Telegram & Gazette (T&G) facility to announce a $1 million grant to New Garden Park, Inc., to establish the Worcester Technology and Idea Development Exchange in the T&G building. The planned technology incubator and accelerator is expected to create more than 100 jobs by supporting a central location for entrepreneurs to explore and start a business in growing industries.

"The T&G Building project is a key component of Worcester's downtown revitalization," said U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern.  "The Exchange will be an investment in the future of our economy, one with enormous potential.  I'm so pleased that this critical federal funding is being announced today, and I commend Deputy Assistant Secretary Erskine and the entire EDA team for their commitment to this effort."

“Supporting conditions conducive for entrepreneurship is crucial for both creating jobs and remaining competitive in today’s global economy,” said U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Matt Erskine. “The EDA grant announced today will provide entrepreneurs and start-ups in Worcester with the space and technical assistance they need to grow and thrive.”

In 2011, the Worcester Business Development Corporation (WBDC), acquired the 135,000 sq. ft. building from the Worcester Telegram & Gazette newspaper, which had operated out of the facility since the early 20^th century. The WBDC purchased the building as part of an effort to revitalize a key property within Worcester’s Central Business District. The TIDE Center will work closely with local college to identify potential startup businesses to locate in the downtown Worcester building and, ideally, move to a permanent location in the City.

"This is a great day for our downtown," said Craig Blais, President & CEO of the WBDC. "New Garden Park hopes that the redevelopment of 20 Franklin Street will continue to build upon the entrepreneurial spirit that is so strong in our community.  We are thankful to have such great partners in the EDA to help us implement this vision for Downtown Worcester."

Later in the day, McGovern and Erskine visited the Massachusetts Digital Games Institute (MassDiGI) New Venture Center (NVC) at Becker College. In 2013, Becker College was awarded a $1.4 million EDA grant to help create the NVC, which will function as an on-campus business assistance center located in the College’s historic property at 80 William Street, Worcester.  Becker College matched the EDA grant to fund the $2.8 million project.

“We are honored to have Congressman McGovern and Secretary Erskine at Becker College today. EDA has been the key partner in Becker’s efforts, through MassDiGI, to build the entrepreneurial ecosystem on campus, in Worcester and across the state. EDA’s support of our New Ventures Center project will expand our capacity to provide year-round business assistance to high tech student-entrepreneurs from around the region,” said Becker College President Robert E. Johnson, Ph.D.

The NVC will focus on game development and interactive media student-entrepreneurs from Worcester and other Massachusetts Gateway Cities. Over the life of the project, the NVC is expected to create 430 jobs. By providing technical assistance, training, mentoring and other support and educational services,  selected student-entrepreneurs will be better positioned to successfully launch products and companies while still in college and upon graduation.

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