Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | May 2, 2022 | Worcester Business Journal 19 C O M M U N I T Y D E V E L O P M E N T P O W E R 5 0 Congratulations! FLEXcon is proud to celebrate the inclusion of Aimee Peacock as a member of the Power 50 list. Thank you for leading and supporting FLEXcon, our industr y, and the greater community. Congratulations to Aimee, and to all the new members of the Power 50 list. Aimee Peacock President RICHARD LAPIDUS PRESIDENT FITCHBURG STATE UNIVERSITY Residence: Fitchburg Colleges: Indiana University; California State University, Long Beach; University of Nebraska, Lincoln; Harvard Graduate School of Education Perhaps more than any other college president in Central Massachusetts, Lapidus has demonstrated the transformative effect a higher education institution can have on its hometown. Over his seven years as president, Lapidus has leveraged FSU's power as a community partner to profoundly impact downtown Fitchburg. Lapidus has spearheaded ReImagine North of Main, a partnership among Fitchburg organizations to rebuild the city's downtown into a thriving hub for work, housing, and entertainment. Lapidus emerged as a leader in Fitchburg's redevelopment plans with an ambitious plan to revitalize a long-vacant theater on Main Street. The fourth largest university in Central Massachusetts with 3,350 full-time students and a $23-million endowment, FSU bought the dilapidated theater, sparking a $2-million first phase of development activating storefronts and renovating vacant space in what's now known as the Theater Block. The work has evolved into a partnership with nonprofits, museums, and financial institutions, and FSU faculty and staff played a critical role in developing Abolitionist Park. In the last 12 months, Fitchburg State has received more than $1 million in state grants for its efforts to redevelop the downtown. n What sets the Central Mass. business community apart from the rest of the world? The spirit of collaboration and partnership between the region's public and private entities is remarkable. We work together with the big picture in mind. I know that has been noticed at the state and federal level, and it will continue to pay dividends. n Grillmaster: I enjoy cooking and particularly like to be at the grill, especially with hardwood. IVETTE OLMEDA TRANSFORMATIVE DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE FELLOW MASSDEVELOPMENT Residence: Worcester College: Clark University Through her work as a MassDevelopment fellow, Olmeda has played an instrumental role in redefining a crucial block of Worcester's Main South neighborhood into a bustling small business hub. Historically, the neighborhood has been cordoned off from the city's development plans, investment, and civic engagement. Olmeda set to work collaborating with business owners along a stretch of Main Street where the majority of business owners are non-English speaking. She established the Main South Business Association, which brings together 34 businesses almost all owned by people of color. Since it was established before COVID, the business association became integral during the pandemic, as it provided information about financial support for local business owners who have faced barriers to monetary resources in the past. Olmeda created a website aimed at rebranding Main South and increasing businesses' visibility. The site provides a platform for businesses that have previously lacked an online presence. Olmeda's strategies have demonstrated it is possible for a diverse range of businesses to thrive in Worcester through face-to-face work with underrepresented entrepreneurs. n What sets the Central Mass. business community apart from the rest of the world? The economy is spurred by its diverse culture, major recent investments like the Polar Park baseball stadium, business incubation models, and local high-tech manufacturers. Our geographic proximity to other New England cities and our first-rate educational institutions help us attract talent. n Long-term commitment: A Worcester resident for more than 35 years, I've been a member of my local church for that entire time, enjoying the opportunity to do volunteer teaching and bring resources (like a vaccine clinic) to the congregation.

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