GoLocalWorcester | Two Worcester Organizations Receive $40K in Grants to Strengthen Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker. PHOTO: Official photo
The Worcester Public Library Foundation received a $15,000 grant, while WorcLab received a $25,000 grant.
The funding comes as part of the fourth round of grants from Governor Charlie Baker’s Collaborative Workspace Program administered by MassDevelopment.
“WorcLab is grateful for the continued support of MassDevelopment. Our goal is to create entrepreneurial opportunities for Worcester’s diverse community. These grants allow us to continue to improve the WorcLab facility and offer new and innovative programs to our members,” said WorcLab Executive Director and Board Chairman Larry Genovesi.
Overall, $1,892,910 in grants were distributed to 31 organizations in 22 communities across the state.
“Massachusetts’ economy thrives when local entrepreneurs, creators, and small business owners have the space and resources they need to be successful. The Collaborative Workspace Program represents an important tool for our Administration to foster innovation and drive job growth in the Commonwealth,” said Baker.
Worcester Organizations Receive Grants
WorcLab (formerly the Worcester CleanTech Incubator), Worcester – $25,000
WorcLab, formerly known as the Worcester CleanTech Incubator, is a coworking space that provides the space, programs, training, and mentoring entrepreneurs need to propel their ideas into the market.
The organization will use this grant to remove a wall in its existing space, thereby providing a more open layout, and furnish the fourth floor of the Printers Building with equipment and partitions.
Worcester Public Library Foundation, Worcester – $15,000
The Worcester Public Innovation Center, proposed by the Worcester Public Library Foundation, will be a flexible makerspace providing access to resources, tools, and technology for community-based learning, problem solving, collaboration, and engagement in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics).
The organization will use this grant to buy a laser cutter and 3D printer.
Collaborative Workspace Program
Through its first three rounds of grants, the Collaborative Workspace Program provided over $5 million in 81 awards for the planning, development, and build-out of different types of collaborative workspaces.
In June of 2019, Baker announced the opening of the fourth round of program grants.
Eligible organizations could apply for either seed grants to plan and study the feasibility of new collaborative workspaces, or fit-out grants to develop and expand existing workspaces.
Through the first three rounds of the program, collaborative workspaces have added 3,771 users since implementing their grant-funded projects, and occupy approximately 575,000 square feet in cities and towns across Massachusetts. Many awards have benefited innovation spaces in the state’s Gateway Cities.