For Immediate Release: 3/11/2020 12:48 pm
The City of Worcester and MassDevelopment officially opened the new Municipal Service Center & Main South Biz Hib at 801 Main Street on Tuesday, March 10.
A pilot program, the Municipal Service Center (MSC) will bring City Hall services closer to Worcester residents and business owners.
“This is a great day for the city and for the Main South neighborhood. Today’s opening, along with other efforts like the 24-hour customer service line, are all about making our city government more accessible, transparent, and user-friendly,” said Mayor Joseph M. Petty. “I want to thank everyone who helped make this day happen.”
Slated to be open weekdays from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., services at the MSC will include the ability to obtain birth certificates, register to vote, complete the census and pay taxes. Residents will also be able to obtain library cards, dog licenses, apply for various permits, event applications, register a business, submit petitions to the City Council and apply for tax abatements.
“By opening the Municipal Service Center, we’re providing our residents with easy access to common government services currently only available at City Hall during normal business hours,” said City Manager Edward M. Augustus Jr. “This service not only provides convenience to residents and business owners, but also provides a presence of City personnel within the Main South neighborhood.”
The MSC will be staffed by one full-time clerical employee from the City, one full-time employee from the Census Bureau, and will be outfitted with resources for the Worcester Police Department to use the location as an office space.
The Main South Biz Hub will be run by MassDevelopment’s Worcester Main South Transformative Development Initiative (TDI) Fellow Ivette Olmeda, and is designed to be a resource for aspiring entrepreneurs and local business owners. The Main South Biz Hub offers services such as business counseling, training, professional workshops, and guidance on how to grow and sustain a business. Local vendors will also have the opportunity to promote and showcase their products at the Main South Biz Hub ‘Pop-up’ Market.
“MassDevelopment is proud to partner with the City of Worcester to fund the Municipal Service Center and Main South Biz Hub, bringing innovative resources and essential services to Main South residents and businesses,” said MassDevelopment President and CEO Lauren Liss. “A product of our Transformative Development Initiative [TDI], the Main South Biz Hub is a creative way to showcase the neighborhood’s vibrancy, talent, and entrepreneurial spirit.”
This program was made possible through a public private partnership between Worcester Community Housing Resource and MassDevelopment’s TDI.
