This would be the second local project for the WBDC, a privatenonprofit group created in the late 1960s by the state legislatureto create jobs and expand the tax base in the region. The groupdeveloped CenTech Park, a 120-acre industrial park that sits partlyin Shrewsbury and partly in Grafton.

David P. Forsberg, president of the WBDC, tells GlobeSt.com thathis firm is meeting with the town next week, emphasizing that theyare very comfortable working with the town. "We are used to workinghere," he says. He points out that part of their job will be todetermine how much of the site is developable. "The wetlands andinfrastructure can pose challenges," he says. Forsberg points outthat the proposal involves 500,000 sf of office space, but thatfigure could go up or down depending upon the condition of the landand the response from the community. "We will evaluate what willmost likely be successful," he says. "We want to help thecommunity. They purchased the land and they are looking for areturn down the road."

Forsberg notes that his corporation is the only entity thatresponded to the town's request for proposals to develop the site.He explains that the lack of infrastructure on the farm is probablythe main reason for that. "This is going to take a while," he says."A private developer can't have that kind of patience. This is achallenging project but that's why we were created--to do theprojects the market might need help with."