Central Mass. nonprofits split $7.4M for workforce, arts, and community enhancement

Photo | Grant Welker Timothy Murray, the president and CEO of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern, and Neil Rogers, the kitchen operations manager of the Worcester Regional Food Hub

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By Anthony Buscarino

Seven nonprofits from around Central Massachusetts are slated to receive $7.4 million in funding from the $1.5-trillion federal appropriations package signed into law by President Joe Biden on Saturday.

The funding, provided by the federal government, is to fulfill community needs such as health, arts, education, employment, and hunger, according to the Friday press release announcing the funding from Congressman Jim McGovern (D-Worcester), who advocated for the various initiatives.

The funding will be divided among the following:

$3 million to the Worcester Area Business Education Foundation to expand the Food Hub at Union Station
$1.05 million to LaunchSpace for the creation of a center to support employment training in Athol
$1 million to Worcester State University to expand early college programs to high school students from low-income and rural areas
$975,000 to Quinsigamond Community College in Worcester to purchase technology for workforce training programs
$975,000 to Centro Las Americas in Worcester for a telehealth and electronic health records project
$300,000 to the Creative Hub Community Arts Center in Worcester for the creation of a multi-purpose arts center
$110,000 to the Spanish American Center in Leominster for a food truck and refrigerated van

“I am celebrating alongside so many essential organizations in our community whose efforts will be recognized with a collective investment of more than $11.3 million in federal funding,” said McGovern in a press release, which included all the organizations in his district who received funding.

CORRECTION: A previous version of this article incorrectly said Worcester State University received $975,000 to expand early college access to Worcester high school students. The money for the program will actually be used for students from low-income and rural areas throughout Central Massachusetts.