May 14, 2018
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WCCA TV, Worcester Community Cable Access Inc., is pleased to announce, the board of MassDevelopment, the Mass Cultural Council’s partner in the administration of the Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Fund, have met to approve grant recommendations for the 2018 round of the Cultural Facilities Fund.
WCCA TV has been approved for a Capital grant in the amount of $200,000. In addition, our organization has also been approved for a Systems Replacement Plan (SRP) grant in the amount of $7,000. The SRP is a 20-year capital needs assessment of a facility and its mechanical systems.
This funding will be utilized to support WCCA TVs facility / fixture update, and repair project, known as WCCA TVs “in-Studio Media Arts Resource and Technology Training Center” (iSMARTT CENTER)
The first phase of the project is to address façade and fixture updates, safety improvements, and to increase accessibility of its production and digital arts amenities. Through this first phase the front entranceway would be greatly improved which will make our part of downtown Worcester more attractive and well lit. It will, also, enhance content creation by improving its creative space and allowing programming and operational efficiency.
WCCA TV has previously completed a feasibility and planning study, and is continuing to pursue other grants and funding for the project. During recent months WCCA has met with representatives from Mass Development, City Officials, and area organizations and community members to explore avenues to move the project forward. WCCA TV hopes to have the funds raised for the scope of phase one of the Façade by the end of this year, and we hope to begin work on the façade soon afterwards. This amount required for the project is above and beyond the public access funding and the contractual equipment and facilities funds that WCCA TV receives through the City Cable franchise provisions.
WCCA recently made some improvements with its community media center digital creation tools. The community media television station recently secured over $160,000 in new content creation technology that raises its television studio technology to a new state-of-the-art level. This has led to an increased integration of our traditional cable television with a diversified online presence by using multi-casting and multi-sourcing technologies, while further empowering and engaging all participating communities and citizens of Worcester. It has also further empowered the community to access more dynamic video production options in an increasingly efficient and effective manner.
WCCA TV has expanded its presence and can be viewed on multiple platforms worldwide, including Charter Cable 194, wccatv.com, FaceBook, YouTube, Roku, and others. It can be seen on multiple devises as well.
Stay tuned for more good news to come.
Mauro DePasquale,
Executive Director
(508) 755-1880 or mauro@wccatv.com