Nonprofits

The newly opened Pioneer Hall at 1600 Willow Lawn Drive was the last phase of a campus-wide improvement project at the nonprofit’s headquarters complex that included construction of four new buildings.

“They’re the largest form of un-subsidized housing in the country; they’re one of the largest forms of affordable housing, period,” Lee Householder said Project:Homes’ multimillion-dollar effort to revitalize a 50-home park in Chester.

The regional food bank held a ceremonial groundbreaking Wednesday at the site along Villa Park Drive, where it will move from its current home base near The Diamond that remains for sale.

The expansion project added nine additional classrooms, two of which are dedicated to career and technical education. The expanded building also includes a new cafeteria and kitchen to feed students.

The nonprofit will be moving from its similar-sized home at Sports Backers Stadium, which is set to give way to the Diamond District redevelopment.

The building became available when Senior Connections moved to Manchester. Daily Planet will use it to expand its dental services.

The Downtown Ashland Association is kicking off its Downtown Ashland Revitalization project, which will be powered by state-provided grant funds and done in coordination with town officials. 

The purchase, to be funded by the sale of real estate owned by Commonwealth Autism, gives the nonprofit the retail venue it needs for its new vocational training venture.

Many groups have dug up various means to survive – some underwent the process of becoming a nonprofit on their own, while others found a new fiscal sponsor or obtained donations from the community to keep them afloat.

A driving force for the relocation is VMFA’s plans for a $190 million expansion and renovation project to its facilities, which includes improvements to the museum’s Leslie Cheek Theater, where the ballet will perform.