b'Training leadersWorcester Polytechnic Institute plays an important role for the Worcester community and the region.Just ask Professor Onal, who has taught robotics at the university for the past eight years. Higher educationis the engine of economic growth in the region, he said. Ive observed a transformation of the area sinceI first started.MassDevelopment issued a $114 million tax-exempt bond to help WPI build a five-story, 100,000-square-foot facility. In 2010, we issued $56 million in tax-exempt bonds for the construction of a new sports and recreation center on campus. And in 2012, our $42.5 million tax-exempt bond was used to create Faraday Hall,a residence hall across from Gateway Park.Over the years, our funding has enabled WPI to better train engineers for leadership positions in high-tech fields. Leaders who start companies, create jobs, and drive investment.See other ways were helping the city of WorcesterThe City of Worcester is using a $500,000 Site Readiness grant to lowera road under a railroad bridge. This investment will allow truck access forTable Talk Pies new 120,000-square-foot bakery and open up additional acreage for industrial development in the Main South neighborhood.Arts Worcester received a $150,000 Cultural Facilities Fund capitalgrant to renovate a gallery space in the historic Printers Building.The space will be the organizations new home. Main South Community Development Corporation was awardeda $10,000 TDI Cohort grant to transform a vacant storefront. The spaceis now home to the citys first Municipal Service Center as well asa business hub for aspiring entrepreneurs and shops. WPIs state-of-the-art robotics engineering labs8MassDevelopment 2020 Annual Report'