The MassBay Center for Health Sciences, Early Education, and Human Services is Currently Under Construction in Framingham
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Liz Cooper
781-239-2636
ecooper@massbay.edu
![New MassBay Framingham Building Receives EDA Grant]( "New MassBay Framingham Building Receives EDA Grant")
MassBay Community College Center for Health Sciences, Early Childhood, and Human Services (Rendering/MassBay Community College).
(FRAMINGHAM, MA) — MassBay Community College has been awarded a $2,018,705 grant from the United States Economic Development Administration (EDA). The funds are part of a $3.8 million allocation of American Rescue Plan funds from the United States Department of Commerce to Massachusetts in support of infrastructure and workforce development projects.
Under the American Rescue Plan, the Biden Administration allocated $3 billion to EDA in supplemental funding to assist communities nationwide in their efforts to build back better by accelerating the economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic and building local economies that will be resilient to future economic shocks.
“For decades MassBay Community College has been an educational leader in MetroWest, especially for the region’s growing immigrant communities and communities of color,” said Senator Edward J. Markey. “I am proud to have worked with my federal colleagues to secure this investment for students pursuing careers in early childhood education and health sciences. This funding will further open doors of opportunity for the people of Massachusetts, and I am grateful to the Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Administration for their support of our Commonwealth.”
“Massachusetts leads the way in health sciences and education. These funds support the next generation of Bay State leaders as they build on that proud tradition,” said Congressman Jake Auchincloss.
“MassBay Community College has long been a leader in educating a diverse student body, and I am proud to support their expansion through American Rescue Plan funding,” said Assistant Speaker Katherine Clark (MA-05). “The new Center in Framingham will bolster resources for students pursuing careers in industries like early childhood education and health sciences, opening doors of opportunity for countless Massachusetts residents. We are making good on our promise of building an economy where everyone has a fair shot at success.”
“I’m thrilled about the EDA’s investments in the Commonwealth, which will support training a new generation of students for well-paying jobs at Massachusetts Bay Community College,” said Senator Elizabeth Warren. “I’m grateful for local, state, and federal partners who have fought for these American Rescue Plan investments in our communities.”
“We are truly grateful for the support and efforts of our representatives in Washington to ensure these needed funds were secured for MassBay,” said MassBay President David Podell. “We envision this new Center to be a community hub of innovation, training, and education for the future workforce of MetroWest. Our programs in health sciences, early childhood education, and human services prepare students from all backgrounds to fill the jobs demanded by our emerging MetroWest economy. The investment by the EDA will serve countless students and scholars and will assure MassBay will continue to produce the skilled workforce we need in Framingham and throughout the MetroWest."
In its award notice, the EDA stated: “This EDA investment supports Massachusetts Bay Community College with purchasing equipment for the College's new Simulation Center (learning and training laboratory) for curricula in Health Sciences, Early Child Education, and Human Services. The equipment purchased for this project is urgently needed to provide residents in the region an opportunity to establish greater economic stability by having good paying, in-demand jobs, with career ladders that will allow them further economic success. In addition, training health care workers and early childcare educators will help close long entrenched gaps in earnings and wealth in the area. Once completed, the project will diversify the local economy and promote growth throughout the region.”
Construction on the 68,500 square-foot, $5.5 million project is currently underway on the MassBay Center for Health Sciences, Early Childhood, and Human Services and expected to conclude in fall, 2023. Located at 490 Franklin Street in Framingham, the Center will house MassBay’s signature health care associate degree programs including nursing, surgical technology, and radiological technology, and its one-year and one-semester certificate programs in central processing technology, computed tomography, certified nursing assistant, emergency medical technician, medical coding, medical office administrative assistant, paramedicine, phlebotomy, and practical nursing. In addition, the Center will feature degree programs in early childhood and elementary education, and certificates in substance abuse, human services, direct support, and infant-toddler teacher. The Center will also provide space for new MassBay programs.
MassBay Community College is the most affordable higher education option in MetroWest Boston, offering a robust portfolio of courses and more than 70 associate degree and certificate programs with flexible day, evening, and weekend classes in Ashland, Framingham, Wellesley Hills, and online. MassBay students receive an unmatched educational value by earning stackable credits that transfer to bachelor’s degree programs, and workforce-ready skills necessary to advance careers in high-demand fields such as health and life sciences, automotive technology, engineering, business, cybersecurity, and the humanities. MassBay’s Associate Degree in Nursing (RN) and Practical Nursing (LPN) programs were both ranked as the #1 Nursing Program in Massachusetts in 2020-2021 by national nursing advocacy organizations RegisteredNursing.org, and PracticalNursing.org. Since its founding in 1961, MassBay has been accredited by several governing bodies and remains firmly committed to its mission of meeting the needs of the diverse local communities it serves. We value the intrinsic worth of all individuals, collectively in pursuit of inclusiveness and prioritize our work towards achieving equity within our community and beyond.