Representative Jonathan Zlotnik announced state funded grants for the greater Gardner area. The grants were awarded as part of the Executive Office of Economic Development’s Community One Stop for Growth program, which streamlines the application process for communities and other eligible entities seeking to access various economic development grant programs. In the FY25 round of Community One Stop for Growth awards, three recipients in the 2nd Worcester District are receiving important grant funding.
Gardner, Winchendon and Templeton “One Stop for Growth” Awards Announced by Jonathan Zlotnik
These state funded grants were announced on October 24, 2024. Gardner is benefitting from the new Housing Works Grant Program rolled out for Fiscal Year 2025 in the amount of $3,500,000, the Gardner Montachusett Veterans Outreach Center’s Winchendon project will receive $876,717 under the Underutilized Properties Program and Templeton gets $290,000 under the Rural Development Fund.
Details of Each of the Grants
The City of Gardner received $3,500,000
under the Housing Works Grant Program. The funding will be used to continue the North project, which will transform a vacant area into a vibrant public space by making public improvements to the water/sewer and drainage infrastructure along with associated parking to support a private development 45-unit multi-family market rate residential project.
The Montachusett Veterans Outreach Center (MVOC) received $876,717 under the Underutilized Properties Program. The funding will be used to support the redevelopment of the Streeter and Poland Schools in the Town of Winchendon into housing for veterans by supporting construction, demolition, elevator and steel work at the site.
The Town of Templeton received $290,000 under the Rural Development Fund. The funding will be used to fund all engineering costs related to the rehabilitation of Templeton’s Barre Road. The project consists of the design and permitting phase of the rehabilitation of nearly 4 miles of public roadway in poor and failure condition and also aims to support Barre Road’s residents, adjacent conservation lands, and farms and small businesses by maintaining public infrastructure and continuing the goals of RPAC in the process.