WORCESTER — The city is launching a new initiative to encourage economic development with an artistic bent.Using up to $40,000 of federal community development block grant funds, the city will offer grants of up to $5,000 to individuals or businesses to fund projects with the potential to create jobs and attract people downtown or to nearby corridors.
“We want to show this has the potential to support creative industries and pedestrian activity downtown,” said Timothy J. McGourthy, the city’s director of economic development. “An important element of this is the awardees have to show how they can generate feet on the street.”
Community development block grant funds, given out by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, are usually used in Worcester for loans. The use of the money for grants is new, Mr. McGourthy said.
To read the full, original article click on this link: City will offer cash with creativity in mind
Author: Lisa Eckelbecker
