Governor Announces $22 Million for New MassBay Community College Framingham Campus

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick Wednesday announced $22 million in capital funds for Massachusetts Bay (MassBay) Community College, furthering the Patrick-Murray Administration’s commitment to building an affordable, world-class system of public higher education in Massachusetts.

The college, currently leasing space in the former Farley School on Flagg Drive across from McCarthy Elementary School and next to Fuller Middle School, will use the funds to construct a new Allied Health academic building and to explore opportunities for a permanent Framingham campus, possibly in downtown Framingham.

"MassBay Community College is full of talent and promise and potential,” said Patrick. “These funds will help the students and faculty seize the opportunities before them.”

"This is a major win for Framingham and the rest of the MetroWest area. Establishing a MassBay campus in downtown Framingham will revitalize the area. A downtown Framingham campus will connect students with the booming innovation economy in MetroWest," said Rep. Tom Sannicandro, House Chair of the Joint Committee on Higher Education. "Our community colleges are vital to maintaining a strong, healthy economy and the Governor is continuing his commitment to making sure they have the resources they need."

"The Patrick Administration has consistently backed up their ideas with action," said Rep. Chris Walsh. "Their conceptualization of an education driven economy rings true to the realities of today's technology based jobs. Their strong support of the community college system and in particular MassBay Community College and its plan to grow in Framingham is evidence of not only a deep understanding of the importance of education to individuals but of the huge impact that educational institutions have in our cities and towns; education is the number one product of the Commonwealth and we must do everything in our power to keep it strong."

“Our Administration is committed to maintaining Massachusetts’ reputation for world-class educational facilities,” said Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray. “By investing in MassBay Community College and our institutions of public higher education, we are ensuring the Commonwealth remains at the forefront in educating our students to meet the demands of a changing and competitive job market."

Community colleges across the state are receiving a total of $298 million over five years through the Patrick-Murray Administration’s Capital Plan.

“We are grateful for these critical funds as we move this institution forward,” said MassBay President John O’Donnell. “MassBay is poised to expand our programs, services and capacity to meet the needs of the vibrant Framingham and MetroWest communities we serve, and we are grateful for the support of our partners in the Administration, Legislature and the MetroWest community.”

“The Patrick-Murray Administration has made investing in public higher education a priority,” said Secretary of Administration and Finance Jay Gonzalez. “This fiscally responsible investment creates construction jobs today and prepares our students to be the skilled, knowledge-based workforce we need to fill the jobs of tomorrow.”

“This investment will not only allow MassBay to better equip its students with the skills they need to succeed in the classroom and in the workforce, but will also benefit entire communities throughout the Metrowest region,” said Secretary of Education Paul Reville.

“One of the greatest natural resources we have in Massachusetts is our educated and skilled workforce and this is an important investment to help increase access to high-quality education in our region,” said Senator Karen Spilka. “These capital funds for our community colleges are a great example of the role government can play to make sure that we have an appropriately skilled workforce, which is critical to maintain our economic vitality and our competitive edge as a Commonwealth.”

In addition to the capital funds being announced for MassBay Community College today, the 2013 Capital Plan includes funding to start four other community college projects. This underscores the Administration’s continued commitment to investing in a community college system that provides relevant, affordable educational and career-focused training programs to prepare students of all ages for both the local job market and further academic study.