2024 Power 100: Peter Dunn
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Peter Dunn
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Worcester’s economic star has been on the rise, and often the first and main point of contact for businesses looking to invest in the city is Peter Dunn.
Since becoming Chief Development Officer in 2020, Dunn has been instrumental in leading policy through pivotal years of Worcester’s economic evolution, striving to clinch the elements of a vibrant, larger city.
Dunn is tasked with getting vacant industrial buildings back online with various private-sector tax incentives, and key upgrades, as well as downtown revitalization.
This list of projects includes the commercial development of Union Station to be the home of the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission and the $4-million project to build out a floor into the headquarters of the Worcester Regional Food Hub. The Worcester Redevelopment Authority, where Dunn serves as CEO, last year approved the sale of the Denholm Building to the Menkiti Group to demolish the aging building and built 233 apartments, which are needed downtown.
This helps address one of Dunn’s main concerns, the daunting challenge of increasing affordable housing in Worcester. Median home prices have shut out many buyers and low vacancy and sky-high rents make it hard for lower-income families and young professionals to make a home in Worcester. Under Dunn, the City of Worcester has launched 10 programs aimed at increasing affordable housing options for low- to moderate-income households, aided with funding from the federal American Rescue Plan Act. New tools include a down-payment assistance program for first-time homebuyers, an inclusionary zoning policy requiring a certain number of new apartment units to be set aside as affordable, and the approval of accessory dwelling units, commonly called in-law apartments.
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