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The Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area (NRSA) is a program funded by the City of Worcester designed to provide business owners or home owners within a specific target area with access to funds for façade and home improvement projects. The Main South CDC has funds available to implement the NRSA Program in a targeted area known as the Beacon NRSA. This area represents a coordinated effort among stakeholders to create housing, remove blight, provide economic opportunity business assistance and create an attractive Main Street Corridor extending from Gates Street to Madison Street. This designation will enable the neighborhood to tackle the urban ills that serve as a disincentive to economic success, encourage private development in the area, and facilitate funding for housing and economic development initiatives. Over the next four years the MSCDC plans to provide funds to 15 businesses and at least 30 home-owners in Main South. In the first year alone the MSCDC plans to fund the renovations of 5 storefronts and 10 residential units.

Eligible projects include business façade and home exterior improvements, as well as streetscape improvements (can be seen in the photo to the left) in the target area. The City requires that all commercial buildings or housing properties meet Housing Quality Standards (HQS) for lead and asbestos testing and abatement, and historical significance of the property. However, those properties which do not comply with these standards will be offered additional grant funds to remove lead and asbestos. In addition, business owners will work with the City of Worcester’s Master Planner to ensure that all renovations are consistent with the architectural characteristics of the neighborhood.

NRSA renovations have already commenced, we have successfully completed the storefront renovations at 927 A & B Main Street, and the façade improvements of 799-803 Main Street ( in the photos to the right) that are currently underway. Streetscape improvements have taken place at 10 Gardner Street which was formerly used as an illegal dumping ground. The lot was cleared, landscaped, paved and fenced in--securing it for future housing development. Housing rehabilitation projects have also spawned revitalization efforts within our target area. To date the MSCDC has used its NRSA funds to target the exterior renovations of a total of 6 units within the Gardner, Ripley and Beacon Street area.

If you are interested in applying for a store front NRSA loan please print out the form at the bottom of the page and bring it to Yary Jaen at the Main South CDC. If you are interested in the home improvement NRSA loans please contact Yary Jaen at 508-752-6181.

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