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September 4, 2018

Two MassDevelopment redevelopment experts hired for Worcester, Fitchburg

Photo | Courtesy Ivette Olmeda

MassDevelopment has hired four development experts to help redevelopment initiatives in four cities, including Worcester and Fitchburg.

The state agency announced the new hires, called Transformative Development Initiative Fellows, on Tuesday.

For Worcester, the agency hired Ivette Olmeda, a 30-year Worcester resident with experience helping small businesses grow.

In Worcester, she’ll work with the Main South district to engage local businesses and property owners, organize a business association and work on strategic reuse plans for vacant sites to make the neighborhood vibrant and walkable.

In a statement, City Manager Edward Augustus said the city is excited to work with Olmeda for the next two years.

“A resident of Worcester for more than three decades, Ms. Olmeda has an impressive professional background in community development which will be a key asset as we work to make Main South a more walkable, engaging and vibrant neighborhood for those who live, work in and patronize the area” Augustus said.

In Fitchburg, Francisco Torres, previously Brookline’s economic development and long-term planner, will work to support the city’s downtown arts and culture district. Torres also filled a similar role in Westborough. 

“We have been working diligently to establish Fitchburg’s downtown as a regional hub of arts and culture,” said Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale. “Francisco is a great fit to help us further this transformation. He combines an understanding of the arts and culture with a commitment to economic development, and will be a true asset when working with businesses, developers and stakeholders to unlock development potential downtown.”

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