Press Releases for 2002

Archives: 2006 - 2005 - 2004 - 2003 - 2002 - 2001 - 2000

August 6, 2002 - City's Today Show heroes headed to Finals

City Manager Thomas R. Hoover and Mayor Timothy P. Murray invite you to join them in welcoming home Worcester's own 'Today Show' Heroes at a celebration planned for 3:30 p.m. today, Tuesday, August 6, 2002, at Fire Headquarters, 141 Grove Street, Worcester.

Worcester Firefighters Carlus Taylor and Robin Mitchell, along with Worcester Police Officers Steven Sargent and Andrew Cravedi , competed against and defeated a team from Newark, New Jersey, live on the 'Today Show' in New York City this morning. Hundreds of people gathered on the City Hall Plaza to watch the program on a jumbotron television. The competition was part of the program's ongoing series entitled "Bravest and Finest," pitting teams from police and fire departments across the United States against each other in feats of skill, speed, strength, wit and daring.

Two weeks ago, the Worcester team beat a team from Sacramento, California, to advance to today's semi-finals. The winning Worcester foursome will go on to compete in the finals again on the Today Show in New York City on August 20, 2002.

"What a fantastic morning it was in the City of Worcester," Hoover said. "Once again our Today Show team has made us proud, and demonstrated just what can be accomplished through teamwork. We look forward to welcoming our winning foursome home and once again cheering them on to victory in the finals on August 20th!

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August 1, 2002 - City awarded Gold Stars

State recognizes two Worcester projects

City Manager Thomas R. Hoover announced today that the City of Worcester was recently recognized by the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) with two "Gold Star" project designations. Projects awarded the Gold Star designation include the Arts District Master Plan and the Worcester Artist Fellowship Program.

"We are pleased to have been recognized with this noteworthy distinction," Hoover said. "We fully recognize the integral role our cultural organizations play in the quality and vibrancy of life here in Worcester and are most grateful to the MCC for its continued support of our many ongoing efforts."

Sandra Macintyre, Chair of the Worcester Cultural Council agreed, saying, "The funding distributed through the granting process especially enable our schoolchildren, and elders to enjoy a variety of cultural programs. This funding has made it possible for organizations and local artists to leverage additional funding from corporations, foundations, and from their respective memberships to maximize their fundraising potential."

Last year the WCC provided a total of $150,000 to over 100 artists, organizations, schools and projects, including the many cultural festivals enjoyed by the entire community. The next grant cycle for the WCC is October 15, 2002. Information regarding applications should be forwarded to Patricia Clarkson, WCC Administrator, 508 799-1400.

"All of cultural programs funded by Local Cultural Councils (LCCs) have distinctive aspects that benefit their communities across the state, and many others could be added to the list," said MCC Communities Department Manager Lisa Hergenrother who oversees the program. "But some simply stand out as great examples of how artists and non-profit organizations can use arts and cultural programming to build stronger, more cohesive communities."

The Arts District Master Plan project involves the development and implementation of a plan intended to help guide and promote the redevelopment of vacant and underutilized buildings throughout the Arts District in order to establish housing, artist live/work space, studio, gallery and rehearsal space as well as creative commercial and retail space.

The Artist Fellowship Program supports the development of creative work by Worcester artists. Recipients serve as cultural ambassadors for the City during the time of their award. Fellowship funds are unrestricted and can be used to cover time, materials, rent or other needs relevant to the artist's work. Since the inception of the program in 2000, WCC has funded eight grants to local artists. Worcester is the only Council in the Commonwealth to have created a program designed to encourage local artists.

MCC staff and field representatives who work directly with councils in each city and town across the state identified the exemplary projects. The Worcester projects were two of just fifty statewide given the Gold Star designation. Each year, LCCs fund more than 6,000 projects in Massachusetts.

The LCC program, in place since 1980, is the nation's most extensive system of grassroots state support for the arts, sciences, and humanities. It comprises 335 separate councils that serve 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts, distributing $4 million of state dollars annually to support field trips, after-school programs, concerts, broadcasts and other cultural activities

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July 23, 2002 - City to welcome home its Today Show heroes

City Manager Thomas R. Hoover and Mayor Timothy P. Murray invite you to join them in welcoming home Worcester's own 'Today Show' Heroes at a celebration planned for 4:00 p.m. today, Tuesday, July 23, 2002, at Police Headquarters, 9-11 Lincoln Square, Worcester.

Worcester Firefighters Carlus Taylor and Robin Mitchell, along with Worcester Police Officers Steven Sargent and Andrew Cravedi , competed against and defeated a team from Sacramento, California, live on the 'Today Show' in New York City this morning. The competition was part of the program's ongoing series entitled "Today's Heroes," pitting teams from police and fire departments across the United States against each other in feats of skill, speed, strength, wit and daring.

The winning Worcester foursome will go on to compete in the semi-finals again on the Today Show in New York City later this summer.

"As we expected," Hoover said, " this foursome - whom we considered heroes long before they made their Today Show debut - proved our All-America City proud! We look forward to welcoming our winning team back to Worcester, and in just a few weeks, cheering them on to victory once again!"

Murray said, "What an exciting day for our City, especially the Police and Fire Departments. This victory is a reflection of the hard work and efforts of not only these four competitors, but also the two departments that they represent. I look forward to the next opportunity to join Worcester's citizens in cheering Worcester's finest and bravest on to victory in the semi-finals."

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July 16, 2002 - Worcester to welcome Youth Orchestra of the Americas

Worcester performance one of just three in the U.S.

Congressman James P. McGovern, City Manager Thomas R. Hoover, and City Mayor Timothy P. Murray today announced that the City of Worcester will serve as host to the Youth Orchestra of the Americas in concert on Friday, July 26, 2002, at 7 p.m. in Christoforo Colombo (East Park) on Shrewsbury Street in Worcester.

The Worcester performance is one of just three the 120-member youth orchestra from Central, South and North America will present in the United States and is the sole, outdoor North American concert. The concert is free and open to the public.

Congressman McGovern said, "Music is a universal language. By welcoming these talented young people to our community, we can contribute to the cultural diversity that makes Worcester such a wonderful place. I'm looking forward to a great concert, and I want to thank the City for all of their hard work."

Hoover agreed, saying, "We are honored to welcome such a talented tapestry of musicians to Worcester. There is little doubt of the uniting power of music and we in Worcester are thrilled to support this endeavor to foster harmony and understanding among our future leaders throughout the Western Hemisphere."

Mayor Murray said, "This group of youngsters will not only display their musical talent, but also an ability to come together despite varied cultural, economic and social backgrounds to produce an undoubtedly impressive concert, and provide a valuable lesson for our diverse Worcester community."

Comprised of 120 gifted young musicians representing 20 nations throughout the Western Hemisphere, the Youth Orchestra of the Americas is the first youth orchestra to bridge together North, South and Central America through youth, musical education and cultural interaction.

Presenting sponsor for the Worcester performance is the New England Conservatory of Music, the Worcester Working Coalition for Latino Students, and Centro Las Americas. Other local sponsors include: Kennedy Die Casting, Coghlin Electric, New England Electric, Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Unum Provident, Lau Technologies, Allmerica Financial, Charter Communications, Worcester Magazine, and the Worcester Medical Center.

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June 20, 2002 - Seeking artists' input

The newly formed Artists Advisory Board will hold its first meeting on Thursday, June 27, 2002, at 6 p.m. at the Bijou Cinema at the Worcester Common Outlets (entrance across from Med City). The board, which is open to artists of all disciplines, was established as a means of promoting an artist's agenda in collaboration with the ongoing efforts of the Arts District Task Force. The board will meet the fourth Thursday of every month at the Bijou.

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May 14, 2002 - GWCF awards $20K to support City's cultural efforts

City Manager Thomas R. Hoover announced that the City of Worcester was recently awarded a $20,000 dollar grant from the Greater Worcester Community Foundation to support the efforts of the Worcester Cultural Coalition and Cultural Development Officer position. This marks the third consecutive year that the GWCF has supported the strategic partnership between the City of Worcester and its forty cultural organizations, which prioritizes arts and culture in the City's economic development efforts.

"We are most grateful to the Greater Worcester Community Foundation for its continuing and ongoing support of our cultural economic development efforts," Hoover said. "Clearly we have made remarkable progress in the establishment of an Arts District and will continue to build upon those successes thanks in no small part to the commitment of the Greater Worcester Community Foundation."

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May 13, 2002 - City loan program helps local business expand

Development Office offers many tools

City Manager Thomas R. Hoover announced today that the City has awarded nearly $18,000 to local businessman Michael Hill through the Executive Office of Economic Development's Microloan Program. Hill is the proprietor of Woosta Pizza, which recently relocated to 407 Main Street, the site of the former McDonald's restaurant. The microloan will be used to support a variety of improvements to the business, including doors, windows, brickwork and tile, as well as a new awning, flags and flooring.

"We are pleased to be able to assist our local businesses as they look to grow here in Worcester," said Hoover. "Woosta Pizza has been a downtown fixture for the last decade and we were happy to offer the tools Mr. Hill needed to expand his restaurant and ensure its continued success."

"It was a real pleasure working with the City to grow my business," Hill said. "As a restaurant operator and not an architect or banker, drawing on the experience of the Executive Office of Economic Development was fabulous. They navigated me through the permits, the legal aspects as well as the financing. It couldn't possibly have been easier."

In addition to the Microloan Program, the Executive Office of Economic Development also offers several other financial assistance programs including an Economic Development Incentive Program, a Section 108 Loan Guarantee Program, a Façade & Awning Incentive Grant program, as well as technical assistance with bonds, business plan assistance, brownfields redevelopment, loan packaging and site search assistance. For further details on any of these programs contact Lanny Beaulieu at (508) 799-1523.

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May 9, 2002 - State awards $30K to continue City's Cultural Coalition initiative

City Manager Thomas R. Hoover announced that the City of Worcester was recently awarded a $30,000 grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council's Cultural Economic Development Program for continued support of the Worcester Cultural Coalition initiative.

"We are most grateful to the Massachusetts Cultural Council for its continuing and ongoing support of our cultural economic development efforts," Hoover said. "Our many cultural organizations are among the City's most treasured entities as they continue to enrich our collective quality of life and make significant contributions to our local and regional economies. We will continue to build upon the successes we have seen recently, particularly within our Arts District, thanks in no small part to the commitment of the MCC."

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May 2, 2002- Arts District seeks community input

The Arts District Task Force will hold the second of three community input meetings on Thursday, May 23, 2002 from 5 - 7 p.m. at the Masonic Temple, Ionic Avenue, in Worcester. The community is urged to participate in this important process which will, in part, result in the crafting of a Master Plan for the .6 mile Arts District.

Upon completion, the plan will be implemented to help guide and promote the redevelopment of vacant and underutilized buildings throughout the Arts District in order to establish housing, artist live/work space, studio, gallery and rehearsal space as well as creative commercial and retail space.

The final community input meeting will be held on Monday, June 17, 2002.

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May 1, 2002 - City celebrates Canal District designation

Rizzo Associates selected for canal feasibility study

City Manager Thomas R. Hoover was today joined by local political and neighborhood leaders for an announcement of the newly designated Blackstone Canal District in the City of Worcester. Officials also announced that Rizzo Associates of Framingham have been selected to conduct the Blackstone Canal Feasibility Study.

""As we work to create our vision for the future, it is imperative that the City take a look at an integral piece of its past as a source of future development - the Blackstone Canal," City Manager Thomas R. Hoover said. "The formal designation of a Canal District and undertaking this study in order to develop a truly comprehensive plan as to how the we can utilize the canal's rich to most positively impact the local economy are important steps in ensuring that the Blackstone River, as it did in the past, will play a key role in future growth in the City."

Deborah Lockwood, Executive Director of the Canal District Community Development Corporation said, "The creation of a Canal District in the City of Worcester is a tribute to our past history and the industrial foundation in which our neighborhoods were founded. As part of a significant revitalization program, it is important to develop the district by identifying it as a destination - a special place. Economic revitalization, historic preservation and environmental enhancement will be an essential component in the overall strategy."

Rizzo Associates' experienced multidisciplinary project team will undertake a comprehensive engineering and planning study of the historic Blackstone Canal and develop a revitalization strategy for the Green Island neighborhood. The team's approach will focus on achieving the following three goals:

1. Revitalize the Green Island Neighborhood
2. Create Worcester's South Gate
3. Preserve and Interpret the Historic Area

"We look forward to working with the City and all interested parties to develop a realistic plan that showcases the area's cultural heritage and enhances the neighborhood as a desirable place to live, work and visit," said Barry Pell, P.E., a Vice President at Rizzo Associates and the Project Manager for the landmark project.

The designation of the new canal district, approved by the City Council at its April 30 meeting, highlights the 'City's role in the innovation and enterprise that made the Blackstone Valley the "Birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution," while also identifying the district within the John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley Heritage Corridor as a special place in the history of the City of Worcester, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the United States of America.'

The Blackstone Canal District will be delineated within the boundaries of the Canal District CDC, including the proposed Visitor Center in Quinsigamond Village along the canal bed through Green Island north to Union Station and Washington Square.

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April 30, 2002 - City welcomes MassArt to Worcester

Master of Fine Arts is first off-site degree program

City Manager Thomas R. Hoover today welcomed Dr. Katherine Sloan, President of the prestigious, Boston-based Massachusetts College of Art, to Worcester for an announcement that MassArt will now be offering a Master of Fine Arts program in the City. The program represents MassArt's first off-site degree program and the first low-residency MFA program based in Central Massachusetts.

"We are thrilled to welcome MassArt to Worcester," Hoover said. "This new degree program represents an exceptional new component to the City's already outstanding educational opportunities, while greatly complementing our ongoing cultural economic development efforts."

"Massachusetts College of Art is very excited to be able to bring our Master of Fine Arts program to people in the greater Worcester area. As a special-purpose public college with a state-wide mission to educate residents in the creative arts, we look forward to partnering with the Colleges of the Worcester Consortium, especially Worcester State College, the Worcester Art Museum, and the cultural community in Worcester to further strengthen Worcester as a vibrant center for the arts," Kay Sloan said.

Beginning in July, MassArt will offer a summer-intensive Master of Fine Arts (SiMFA) program in painting and 2D/mixed media. The program will be three years and two weeks in duration and will include three, six-week intensive summer residencies. The three classes, which comprise the summer schedule (a studio, a graduate seminar and an art history class), will take place on the campus of Worcester State College where students will have individual studios.

In the winter and spring semesters, students will have the option of engaging in an independent study arrangement with an approved instructor or enrolling in an advanced critique class. MassArt plans to work with the Worcester Art Museum and the Worcester Center for Crafts, two organizations with exceptional studio facilities, to develop advanced critique class offerings. The program concludes with a final two-week residency in the fourth summer during which a thesis exhibition is installed and reviewed.

According to Worcester State College President Dr. Kalyan Ghosh, "We are delighted that MassArt is offering this new graduate program in Worcester. We are happy to partner with MassArt by providing facilities in order to be able to offer Worcester State College students and all others interested in pursuing a career in fine arts the opportunity to do so in Worcester."

Dr. Franklin Loew, President of Becker College and Chairman of the Colleges of Worcester Consortium said, "Worcester is home to a stellar group of higher-educational institutions. The Colleges of Worcester Consortium welcomes MassArt as the newest member of our Worcester family."

"This is quite a boon for the City of Worcester and our strong arts community, for MassArt, and for all of the prospective students interested in staying in or coming to Worcester to advance their fine arts education," said Christine Proffitt, Cultural Development Officer for Worcester. "MassArt's SiMFA program provides an educational opportunity not currently available in the mix of Worcester's expansive higher-ed offerings."

Those interested in submitting a formal application for the SiMFA program may download the MFA application from the MassArt web-site (www.massart.edu) and indicate in a cover letter that you are applying to the SiMFA Program. Applications are due May 7, 2002. The tuition and fee rates for the SiMFA program will be the same as MassArt's Boston MFA program. It is expected that tuition and fee-related expenses for this summer's six-week, 11-credit session to cost under $4000. Please contact George Creamer, Associate Dean of Graduate Education, at 617-879-7163 or creamer@massart.edu for more information.

About MassArt

Established in 1873, Massachusetts College of Art (MassArt) was the first and remains the only four-year independent public college of art and design in the US. The college is nationally known for offering broad access to a quality professional arts education, accompanied by a strong general education in the liberal arts. The college's Boston campus serves approximately 1200 undergraduate and over 100 graduate students annually. awarding the BFA, MFA, and MSAE degrees, as well as certificates in Graphic Design, Industrial Design and Design for Interactive Communication

A major cultural force in Boston, MassArt offers public programs of innovative exhibitions, lectures and events. Continuing Education classes, exhibitions, and cultural programs fulfill the college's public purpose of providing access to the arts for the citizens of the Commonwealth.

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April 25, 2002 - City welcomes new housing manufacturer

Greentech Housing Company opens shop on Pullman St.

City Manager Thomas R. Hoover and Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce President Mark L. Love were joined by local political and business leaders to welcome a new company, and with it a new industry, to the City today.The Greentech Housing Company, a modular housing manufacturer, will start production at the site of the old Pullman Railroad Car Works, 30 Pullman Street in Worcester.

"We are so pleased to welcome this new industry to our City," Hoover said. "We look forward to the dramatic impact Greentech will have on the City's housing needs as well as in providing significant employment opportunities for local residents."

Greentech's Worcester modular housing manufacturing facility is geared to the production of high quality, affordable housing designed to be energy-efficient, low-maintenance and long lasting, as well as aesthetically attractive. The operation will employ union labor and at capacity is expected to create upwards of 100 jobs for local residents

"Greentech Housing company's decision to locate in Worcester means quality union jobs for local residents as well as potential housing opportunites for our citizens," said Mayor Timothy P. Murray. "This is an exciting day for both Greentech and the City of Worcester."

"Worcester is where all the pieces have come together," said Greentech's President, Stephen Stuntz. "Here's where we found the right factory site, the right worker pool, the right commitment to affordable housing, and, first and foremost, the right support for companies like ours that want to set up shop in Worcester for the long term and help the city grow and prosper while we grow and prosper, too. City Manager Tom Hoover's team made it clear from day one that they wanted us here, and that made us want to be here. We looked at a lot of different cities and towns in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut. Worcester was far and away the most determined and resourceful of all."

"Greentech's modular manufacturing concept combines significant cost savings for developers of affordable housing, while not compromising on design or material quality. We are looking forward to capitalizing on those benefits starting immediately," said Stephen Teasdale, Executive Director of the Main South CDC, which has already booked an order with Greentech - three duplex houses to be erected along Beacon Street as part of the Gardner-Kilby-Hammond project.

"Affordable housing is a central focus of ours," said Stuntz. "We create opportunities for CDC's, housing authorities and others to address the need faster, better, and cheaper. It is our commitment to serve the affordable housing customer in every way we can."

Stuntz further pointed out that the company will also sell to market-rate developers in the Worcester market and even well beyond. "Any developer within 200 miles is potentially our customer; we can sell and service that far out. Our goal is to form close, long term relationships with a core group—a couple of dozen—high quality developers who want to do a dozen or so projects a year. That would give us great stability and financial solidarity going forward."

The Greentech factory will open with eight employees and by summer's end that number will grow to 40. By month 24 of operations, the company plans to have 100 workers, all members of the carpenter's union, with wages averaging about $15/hr. The company will target its recruiting efforts in the Worcester neighborhoods.

"We are thrilled that Greentech Housing Company has selected Worcester as the premier location for its new operations. It has been a pleasure working with company officials in this exciting new venture which will create numerous, quality jobs for city residents while generating new tax revenues in a massive facility which had been vacant for a number of years," said Julie A. Jacobson, Director of Regional Economic Development for the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Bob MacDonald, Greentech's vice president in charge of factory operations, noted the cooperation already received from the Central Massaschusetts Regional Employment Board and the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce. "As has been typical of everyone we've worked with in Worcester, people have jumped in and delivered on every promise. Our goal is to ramp up our production very aggressively. We're confident we can do this thanks to the support we're getting from so many competent sources," he said.

The Pullman factory, located at 30 Pullman Street, was a major draw for Greentech, providing 120,000 square feet, 40-65 foot clearances, 5 cranes, and ample yard space for staging modules until they are delivered. In this factory Greentech will assemble the "boxes" or house modules that eventually are taken to a house site, lifted by crane onto a foundation, and pieced together to form a house that is 90% complete, "Button-up" crews then come onto the site to do the finish work, and within a couple of weeks the house is done and ready to be lived in.

George White, Greentech's vice president in charge of marketing and sales, says the advantages to the Greentech customer are immediate and substantial. "The developer sees major reductions in the time it takes to complete a project, which implies major reductions in the term of the construction loan, and far faster delivery of a finished product to the end customer. Moreover, the developer saves all kinds of time and trouble. We do almost all the work in the factory, so the developer doesn't need to ride herd on subcontractors. And then on top of it all, a modular house is a cheaper house—often 15-20% cheaper than the same house built on site."

Greentech's core product line features what are called "Eco-Dynamic" houses, distinguished by their energy efficiency—they are Energy Star rated—and by the many features that make them easy to maintain and affordable and comfortable to live in. Models include duplexes, triplexes and town houses in a variety of configurations.

Stephen Stuntz is the former president of Acorn Structures and a 25-year veteran in manufactured housing. Robert MacDonald has a long career in development of advanced manufacturing technologies and systems. George White is a career professional in advertising and marketing, for 22 years managing his own consulting firm based in Providence.

Greentech's operations are expected to send out ripple effects in the community. "We want to have a positive impact on the Worcester scene, " says Stuntz. "We want to hire from the neighborhoods, sell our houses into the neighborhoods, buy the bulk of our materials from locals suppliers, hire office help and support specialists from the area, and feed work to local contractors who would put in foundations and do the site and finish work."

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April 17, 2002 - Arts District unveils first public art project

Collaboration unites local businesses and artists

City Manager Thomas R. Hoover and Ruth Penka, Chair of the Arts District Task Force and ARTSWorcester Executive Director celebrated the unveiling of the district's first public art project today - more than a dozen recycled trash receptacles transformed into works of art by local artists.

"On behalf of the City of Worcester I would like to thank the many talented artists who transformed the ordinary into the truly extraordinary, and in doing so will help transform this neighborhood into a source of great pride for local businesses and residents alike," Hoover said. "I congratulate and commend ARTSWorcester and the entire Arts District Task Force for their tireless efforts to ensure the continued growth and success of the Arts District."

"We couldn't think of a better project for our first foray into public art," Penka said. "We too are grateful to all those who lent their talent for this project and to our neighborhood businesses without whose support we couldn't have made this project a reality. This unique collaboration of the many faces of the Arts District clearly demonstrates what we can achieve when we work together."

In response to excessive litter in the Arts District neighborhood, the City's Department of Public Works donated fifteen recycled trash receptacles, which were redesigned through an open call to local artists. The trashcans will be installed on Main Street along the Arts District, and through a program developed by the Arts District Task Force, will be maintained by area business owners and organizations.

Christine Proffitt, the City's Cultural Development Officer and Co-chair of the Arts District Task Force said, "This project was a very creative way to involve the community in addressing the challenging issue of litter in the Arts District. Now it is up to the residents and patrons of the many businesses located in the area to use them to help keep this Main Street neighborhood."

The Trashcan Art Project is a collaborative public art project of the City of Worcester's Department of Public Works, the Arts District Task Force as well as neighborhood businesses and organizations throughout the Arts District. The project was funded by Banknorth and the Greater Worcester Community Foundation.

Participating artists include Aimee Belair, Laura Callahan, Nicholas Chambers, Susan Champeny, Walter Daby, Marjorie Greenberg, Eric L'Ecuyer, Ann McTigue, and Panayiotis Terzis, all of Worcester; Thomas Grady of Auburn, Bonnie Druschel of Florence, Iris Lanyon of Holden, Gary Lippincott of Spencer, Amy Rouse of Wareham, and Emily Boosahda of West Boylston.

Participating neighborhood organizations and businesses include Berger's Army & Navy Store, Winn Management, Katz Realty, White Tower Restaurant, Santiago's Market, P.I.P., Emmanuel Baptist Church, Mekong Market #2, The Community Builders, David Burwick, Caravan Coffee, YMCA, and Sunbridge.

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April 11, 2002 - American Eagle offers low fares to Worcester Travelers

FORT WORTH, Texas -- American Eagle, the regional affiliate of American Airlines, now offers low round-trip fares between Worcester, Mass. and Chicago's O'Hare Airport. American Eagle also offers low round-trip fares for travel via Chicago with connections to select U.S. cities, including Los Angeles and Dallas/Fort Worth, on American Airlines.

The new low fares from Worcester are available immediately. Eagle offers substantial savings for business and leisure travel that requires no advance purchase or minimum stay. The savings are even greater if fares are purchased at least seven days prior to departure with just a one-night minimum stay.

"Offering these low fares is our way of providing a more affordable option for our Worcester area business and leisure travelers," said Tom Bacon, American Eagle's senior vice president Planning and Marketing. "Worcester customers will now have low fares to more destinations through our hub in Chicago including Los Angeles, Dallas/Fort Worth, St. Louis and San Diego with convenient, daily service from nearby Worcester Airport."

Examples of Eagle's low fares from Worcester are:

MarketNew Walk-up FareNew Seven-Day Advance Purchase
(Requires one-night minimum stay)
Worcester- Los Angeles$342*$226*
Worcester- Dallas/Fort Worth$381*$315*
Worcester-St. Louis $227*$156*
Worcester-San Diego$342*$226*

*Fares are stated one way and require round-trip purchase. Fares do not include fuel/security surcharges or airport facility fees. Fares are subject to change at any time.

American Eagle offers service from Worcester to Chicago using its popular Embraer regional jet. The regional jets feature luxurious navy blue leather seats in a comfortable "one-by-two" seating arrangement that provides each passenger an aisle or window seating or both. The jets also have a closet for hanging bags, large overhead bins and a spacious lavatory. Powered by two Rolls-Royce engines, the jets are among the quietest airplanes in the world and can cruise up to 519 miles per hour at 37,000 feet.

At O'Hare -- American's "Gateway to the World" -- American Eagle offers nothing but jet service and uses jetbridges to board and deplane all of its flights at Concourse G. An Admirals Club is conveniently located in Concourse G across from gate G-8. American Eagle operates more than 170 daily departures from O'Hare and provides convenient connections to American's flights to cities throughout the United States and Europe.

Eagle's daily service from Worcester is:

From Worcester to Chicago O'Hare From Chicago O'Hare to Worcester
FlightDepartArriveAircraftFlightDepartArriveAircraft
40661:12 p.m.2:52 p.m.Regional Jet41279:37 a.m.12:38 p.m.Regional Jet

With a fleet that includes more than 120 regional jets, American Eagle operates more than 1,200 daily flights to more than 130 cities throughout the United States, Canada, The Bahamas and the Caribbean. For more information on American Eagle's low fares for Worcester, please contact your travel agent, call American Eagle/American Airlines at 1-800-433-7300 or go to www.aa.com.

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