Franklin Cummings Tech (FCTech) is a nonprofit technical college that serves primarily low-income individuals from the Greater Boston area. The minority-controlled institution focuses on student success and career readiness in technology fields, offering programs such as traditional degree tracks, strategic partnerships with industry, early college dual enrollment, and professional and continuing studies.
In response to a growing number of applications, FCTech is selling its existing property and leveraging proceeds to develop a new 68,000 sq. ft. school building. Located in Nubian square, the project supports the city of Boston’s stated goal to accelerate economic opportunity and generate wealth in the neighborhood.
The development addresses the need for high-quality, affordable technical education. FCTech serves highly diverse students, with approximately 75% of students identifying as people of color and many coming from underrepresented groups such as first-generation college students, individuals reentering society after incarceration, and those recovering from substance abuse.
The $66 million project, initially delayed due to volatile economic conditions, has seen a significant cost increase of over 35%. CNMC’s NMTC financing along with $38.6 million in NMTC financing from other CDEs (BlueHub Capital Inc., Partners for the Common Good, Inc., Consortium America, LLC., and HEDC New Markets, Inc.) were essential in addressing the project’s cost overruns and allowing the project to proceed on time.
The new facility, to be completed by end of 2025, allows FCTech to increase its enrollment capacity by 43% and serve 1,340 students each year. FCTech is also committed to preparing students for future employment, with at least 500 graduates annually projected to begin quality, full-time positions within six months of graduation.
The project creates 61 FTE construction jobs, over half of which will be filled by people of color, with a living wage requirement, and it will retain 108 jobs (84 FTEs) and create 34 new jobs (24 FTEs), all accessible to low-income persons and paying a living wage with full benefits.