WBDC Celebrates 60 Years of Economic Development with Longstanding Leadership and Big-Picture Projects

By Hank Stolz | Radio Worcester

Photo-Radio Worcester

WORCESTER, MASS.-On this edition of The Podcast of the WBDC (Worcester Business Development Corporation), Hank Stolz speaks with WBDC President Craig Blais and Executive Vice President Roberta Brien. This year marks the WBDC’s 60th Anniversary. Blais has been with the WBDC for 25 years, and Brien has been there for more than 20; that longevity helps give them an advantage in completing projects.

Blais and Brien update us on what is happening with the Saint Gobain property, a massive development deal, but also speak about some of the WBDC’s biggest successes that came through their smaller projects. The Berlin Flats Project, assisting the town of Douglas and putting together the complex task of relocating Worcester’s core non-profits from the Denholm building. The WBDC was also involved in the parking garage at Lincoln Square that led to the Marriot Hotel that is now the School of Pharmacy. The Berlin Flats, beyond the Solomon Pond Mall was just fields and today their are hundreds of units of housing. The WBDC’s expertise in working with the town helped get that started. The WBDC responds when asked and remains when needed.

Blais makes the point that just as he succeeded Dave Forsberg as the President of the WBDC, Brien is poised to one day lead the organization. “Succession planning is very important. So we will continue to wrap that up. You’ll be hearing more about that as we enter our 61st year and hopefully there’s another 60 years of great success of the WBDC.”