On Tuesday, July 7, Rev. Philip L. Boroughs, S.J., president of the College of the Holy Cross, and Congressman Jim McGovern (MA-02) joined state and local leaders to celebrate the announcement of Phase I of the Blackstone Heritage Corridor Visitor Center in Worcester with the bid ready for review by construction contractors. The visitor center is slated to open in 2017 and will be a hub for recreational, historical, cultural, and geographic attractions in Worcester and the National Heritage Corridor.
“Today marks a big victory for families and businesses in Worcester and throughout the National Heritage Corridor,” Congressman McGovern said. “Helping to secure the federal funding for this project has been a major priority for me and I am so grateful to all of the partners who have helped to make this a reality. With the advertisement of the project bid ready for review by construction contractors, we are on track for the 2017 opening. This visitor center is a strong investment in the region and I look forward to seeing all the ways it will help to bring our communities together.”
Holy Cross has been a longtime partner in the efforts to build the visitor center and has established an active role on the projects planning committee. The College has partnered to support the position of Devon Kurtz, project coordinator for the visitor center.
“Holy Cross is committed to supporting initiatives and programs that contribute to the quality of life in the City and region" said Fr. Boroughs. "The Visitor Center will provide visitors and neighbors alike, including members of our Holy Cross community, a unique and interactive opportunity to celebrate the history of Worcester and Blackstone Valley.”
The support of the visitor center is only one example of the College’s commitment to the Worcester community. Some of the ongoing partnerships the College has established include: working with local business owner John W.S. Creedon Jr. and the Futures League to bring summer baseball back to Fitton Field; a 5-year, $400,000 investment to support the Library Express, “Libby,” a state-of-the-art mobile library serving Worcester schools, neighborhoods and community centers; and most recently the College provided support to the Youth Opportunities Summer Recreation Program.
Media Coverage
- Worcester Magazine, July 7: Blackstone Heritage Corridor Visitors Center reaches milestone
- Charter TV3, July 7: Blackstone Heritage Corridor Visitor Center
- GoLocal Worcester, July 7: Leaders Celebrate Advertisement of Worcester’s Blackstone Valley Visitors Center
- MassLive, July 7: Blackstone Heritage Corridor Visitors' Center becomes a reality with the start of the bidding process
- Telegram & Gazette, July 8: Blackstone Valley visitor center in Worcester to stand for 'who we have been and who we're becoming'
