$930,000 renewal grant awarded; Money to fund Grand St. study, master plan.

• Position: LOCAL NEWS

Byline: Bronislaus B. Kush

WORCESTER - The city has been awarded $930,000 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for continued revitalization efforts in the Main South neighborhood.

The money - coming from the agency's Community Challenge Grant Program - will be specifically used for Worcester's "Main South to Loomworks Revitalization Project" and is targeted to redevelop properties along Grand Street, which used to house the Crompton & Knowles factory complex.

"This is terrific news for Worcester, particularly the Main South neighborhood," said U.S. Rep. James P. McGovern, D-Worcester, who lobbied on Capitol Hill for the money.

Mr. McGovern said a lot of redevelopment work has taken place in the area but more needs to be done.

"Comprehensive, sustainable economic development is the goal and this federal funding will allow the city to keep moving in that direction," said Mr. McGovern.

Worcester was one of 56 communities across the nation to share in about $96 million in funding.

HUD also awarded the Montachusett Regional Planning Commission $129,500.

Federal officials said the funds are awarded to address transportation, housing, business, and other "challenges" in inner cities.

They said the money can be used for a variety of purposes including updating master plans and zoning codes to promote the construction of affordable housing units, finding new uses for older buildings, and...