Worcester Business Journal

4 Worcester Business Journal | December 11, 2017 | wbjournal.com C E N T R A L M AS S I N B R I E F V E R B A T I M Manufacturing diversity "Manufacturing will always be a big part of this area. We are getting the word out, and the skilled workers will be a big part of growth. If we keep up with new equipment and new innovations, we will be able to produce parts here at a reasonable price." Robin Leclaire, the new president of Uxbridge-based Lampin Corp. Courthouse development "The preservation and adaptive reuse of this historic building is critical to unlocking more activity in the North Main Street/Lincoln Square area, and I look forward its successful completion." Worcester City Manager Ed Augustus, on a planned $53-million redevelopment of the former Worcester County Courthouse Anti-poverty grant "We recognize the need for additional financial literacy opportunities and look forward to engaging our local financial institutions to assist with these efforts." Jill Dagilis, executive director of the Worcester Community Action Council, on a $62,000 grant from the Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts to address poverty and financial education Cliff Rucker expands Worcester holdings BY ZACHARY COMEAU Worcester Business Journal Writers W orcester Railers Owner Cliff Rucker has become a major part of the city's eco- nomic and cultural remaking, investing heavily in a busy strip of Downtown Worcester. On Dec. 1, Rucker purchased the Main Street block housing popular res- taurant deadhorse hill for $2.65 million. In addition to deadhorse hill, the build- ing includes the restaurant Rice Violet, the salon Friendly Nails, and law and com- mercial offices on the upper floors. The purchase is just the latest in a series of moves by the businessman, who came to Worcester to start a hock- ey team and has been buying up prop- erties ever since, with investments in the neighborhood of $25 million. A key growth figure Rucker is owner of Beverly equipment leasing firm NFS Leasing and former CEO of technology firm NEXL. Rucker is the principal owner of Porzio Properties, a national real estate invest- ment firm, and Fulcrum FXT, a global asset management company, according to his bio on the Railers' website. Even though he made his initial investment in the city with the Railers just in 2015, Rucker has been a key fig- ure in the city's revitalization because he understands Worcester's potential, said Timothy Murray, CEO of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce. "The confidence in the trajectory of the city is underscored by his continued investment," Murray said. "From a devel- opment point of view, it presents some unique and exciting opportunities in that he now has control and ownership of the full block." Rucker now owns a large strip of buildings on Main Street, including the Worcester Palladium and 311 Main St. housing law firm Bowditch & Dewey. Rucker declined to be interviewed for this story. Railers spokesman Tom Matthews said since the team started playing, Rucker wants a more hands-off role and just be a fan of his team. Rucker's Worcester investments In 2016, Rucker purchased the Bowditch & Dewey building for $2.8 million. That deal included an eight-year lease by the firm. In June, Rucker bought a 25-percent stake in the 3,000-seat Worcester Palladium, with an option to buy the remaining 75 percent over the next two years. Financial terms of that deal were not disclosed. He built the $18-million, 110,000-square-foot Fidelity Bank Worcester Ice Center, the practice facility for the Railers. The rink will be the home to local schools and colleges, including Worcester State University, Becker College and Worcester Academy. He renovated a former bar at 90 Commercial St, into a Railers-themed bar that opened in October after buying the property last June for $500,000. W Cliff Rucker P H O T O / Z A C H A R Y C O M E A U In addition to its restaurants and offices, the 285 Main St. block includes parking spaces behind the building.

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