MassDevelopment Bond Helps Venture Community Services Open Day Program in Uxbridge

November 8, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts:
Meggie Quackenbush, MassDevelopment, 617-330-2011 & 857-208-2777 (cell)
mquackenbush@massdevelopment.com

Kerrie Mason, Venture Community Services, 774-922-1136
kmason@venturecs.org

MassDevelopment has issued a $1,550,000 tax-exempt bond for Venture Community Services, a nonprofit in Worcester County that provides advocacy and support to individuals with disabilities and their families. The organization used bond proceeds to renovate, furnish, and equip a day program facility at 670 Douglas Street in Uxbridge. The facility will support young adults with developmental disabilities, and staff will use the space to develop autism services for children and families. TD Bank N.A. purchased the bond.

“MassDevelopment is a proud supporter of the Commonwealth’s human services nonprofits, which provide high-quality services and programs for individuals and families across Massachusetts,” said MassDevelopment President and CEO Lauren Liss. “We are so pleased to issue this financing to help Venture Community Services continue providing the compassionate, individualized care for which it is known.”

Venture Community Services, founded in 1975, provides support to individuals with developmental disabilities through innovative practices that encourage independence, empowerment, and opportunity. The organization provided Worcester County with some of the first community-based residential programs for individuals transitioning from Belchertown State School. The organization has since grown to develop new programs that promote independence and a higher quality of life for individuals with disabilities, such as supported employment, shared living, and individual supports. MassDevelopment is now working with the Belchertown Economic Development and Industrial Corporation on the redevelopment of the former Belchertown State School site, known as Carriage Grove.

“Support from MassDevelopment has helped Venture to expand our reach and create opportunities for more people in Massachusetts,” said Mike Hyland, Venture Community Services President and CEO. “We are grateful for the long-term relationship we have with MassDevelopment and are looking forward to providing high quality, person-centered services throughout the Blackstone Valley.”

MassDevelopment, the state’s finance and development agency, works with businesses, nonprofits, financial institutions, and communities to stimulate economic growth across the Commonwealth. During FY2017, MassDevelopment financed or managed 377 projects generating investment of more than $4.3 billion in the Massachusetts economy. These projects are projected to create about 9,488 jobs and build or rehabilitate 1,863 residential units.