Governor Announces $9.3 Million for Framingham State University's Science Lab

Governor Deval Patrick Tuesday announced additional funding for the renovation and expansion of Hemenway Hall at Framingham State University, which will include additional science lab space and a modern Center for Education and Teaching Excellence and committed to making MassBay Community College’s Framingham campus a reality. 

“Growth requires investment, and investing in our state and community colleges and our infrastructure will create growth in our MetroWest communities,” said Governor Patrick. “If we want to expand opportunity in our Commonwealth, this is what government must do and do well.”

Hemenway Hall at Framingham State University, when finished, will create a new, five-story science laboratory. The addition will provide students and faculty with state-of-the-art teaching labs to train tomorrow’s science teachers, as well as increased accessibility on campus. T

he new building will also enable Framingham State to keep pace with other leading institutions of higher education that demand more research space, specialized classrooms and the ability to take advantage of developments in technology. 

Patrick announced additional $9.3 million to be put towards the renovations.

"Access to first-rate facilities is a critical component to an outstanding STEM education," said Framingham State University Interim President Robert Martin. "This funding will allow us to upgrade and outfit our existing math and science classrooms and labs and complete our Hemenway Hall renovation and addition as we envisioned it several years ago. We are grateful to Governor Patrick and his Administration for their support of this important project."

Governor Patrick Tuesday also committed to moving MassBay Community College’s Framingham campus off the drawing board and into reality. 

Last year, the Patrick Administration provided $22 million for the project and is working with the Legislature to fill the additional funding gap. 

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

These announcements build upon the Patrick Administration’s dedication to stimulating growth in the MetroWest region through investments education, innovation and infrastructure. 

Framingham State University has seen an impressive rise in graduation rates, increasing 8.9 percent between fall 2007 and fall 2012.

Other state investments in Framingham:

The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center has invested over $12 million to support a multi-phased wastewater system to serve Framingham’s Technology Park.  As a result, Genzyme has been able to undertake an $80 million large-scale expansion project at the park and is creating 389 biomanufacturing jobs.   

Construction is scheduled to begin this winter on Route 126 to replace the roundabout at Concord and Union Avenue in Framingham. This project will fix Framingham’s chronic traffic issue that has stunted development in downtown. 

Starting later this fall, the Massachusetts Bay Commuter Rail increase its round trips on the Worcester Commuter Line to 20 times a day.