FRAMINGHAM – The Baker-Polito Administration awarded over $950,000 in grant funding to 23 organizations across Massachusetts on Thursday, Dec. 15th, including $25,000 to the Framingham State University Entrepreneur Innovation Center (EIC).

“Entrepreneurship is the engine that drives small business forward,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “By giving entrepreneurs across Massachusetts the tools and support systems they need to grow their own businesses, these grants will advance job creation and new businesses in communities, while building stronger regional economies.”

The awards, managed by MassDevelopment, will build physical infrastructure to support the growth of new entrepreneurial ventures, while spurring innovation and job-creation at the local level. At Framingham State, the grant will go toward development and renovation costs to redesign the EIC’s new location at 860 Worcester Road.

“It’s a tremendous honor to be selected by MassDevelopment for a seed grant,” said Mark Hardie, the center’s director. “The award is a testament to the innovative approach FSU is taking to collaborative work spaces that are capable of serving both the needs of MetroWest entrepreneurs and the academic interests of the campus community.”

Framingham State’s EIC is a partnership between Framingham State and Workbar, providing co-working space and resources to the MetroWest community. The Center opened in 2013 and serves about 18 local entrepreneurs working on a variety of start-up businesses. Each is provided with an affordable and collaborative working space, access to FSU business interns, and the expertize of faculty members from the Business Department.

“Innovative entrepreneurs are driving economic growth in MetroWest communities and across the state,” said Senate Committee on Ways and Means Chair Senator Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “These grants will boost resources available for local entrepreneurs and start-ups at places like TechSandBox and the Framingham State University Entrepreneurial Innovation Center, allowing our community organizations to provide indispensable networking opportunities, educational programming and logistical support to help get more innovative ideas off the ground.”

To learn more about the FSU Entrepreneur Innovation Center, visit www.framingham.edu/innovation-center.