Northbridge Awarded $46M Grant for Balmer Elementary School

BOSTON - State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg, Chair of the Massachusetts School Building Authority ("MSBA"), and MSBA Executive Director/Deputy CEO John K. McCarthy announced today that the MSBA Board of Directors voted to approve a grant of up to $46,043,257 for a project to construct a new W. Edward Balmer Elementary School in the Town of Northbridge. One of the next steps is for the District and the MSBA to enter into a Project Funding Agreement, which will detail the project’s scope and budget, along with the conditions under which the District will receive its MSBA grant.

"Upon completion, this project will provide a new 21st century learning environment for students in Northbridge," Treasurer Goldberg said. "Our goal is to create the best space to deliver the District’s educational commitments and goals."

The proposed project would create a new 167,352 square foot facility to replace the existing W. Edward Balmer and the Northbridge Elementary Schools with a new facility that serves grades PK-5 on the existing site of the W. Edward Balmer Elementary School. The District reported in their Statement of Interest that the current structure suffers from deficiencies in major building systems including mechanical and electrical. The District also reported in their Statement of Interest, that the current structure suffers from roof, window and envelope deficiencies and additional physical plant and accessibility issues, resulting in the District being unable to deliver its educational program.

"Students will soon have a beautiful new space which will undoubtedly enhance and improve their ability to excel in the classroom," stated Executive Director/Deputy CEO McCarthy.

The MSBA partners with Massachusetts communities to support the design and construction of educationally appropriate, flexible, sustainable and cost-effective public school facilities. Since its 2004 inception, the Authority has made over 1,750 site visits to more than 250 school districts as part of its due diligence process and has made over $13.2 billion in reimbursements for school construction projects.