There are decades of experience backing The Fairgrounds. A wealth of experience in community partnerships, in smart development, and in creating world class recreational and entertainment venues.

Jim Whitney

Fairgrounds Managing Partner

Jim Whitney is born and bred Leominster. Growing up here, Jim has always appreciated the special community we call home. That is in part why he chose to base his company, and raise his family here in Leominster. Along with his four daughters, Jim lives in Leominster, and is proud to see his family continue to plant their roots in Northern Central Mass.

Since 1994, Whitney Companies have been developing and rehabilitating properties in North Central Massachusetts. Jim Whitney started building houses in the early 90s and has built over 60 homes since then. In 2004, they began to transition into commercial real estate with the renovation of 557 Lancaster Street. The building, which once housed a machine shop was turned into commercial space. Jim then went on to transform 40 Spruce Street, also known as Whitney Square, in 2007.

A building that has a long history of manufacturing is now 40,000 sqft. of medical and office space. Because of the success we had rehabbing the first two buildings, we purchased 98 Adams Street in 2012. The property was comprised of two buildings. The first building would be named City Place and turned into 40,000 sqft. of high-end office space. The second building was later transformed into 51 apartments and 10,000 sqft. of retail space, which is now leased by the YMCA of Central Mass.

Southgate Business Park is a quasi-public and private development. The project is zoned to provide a variety of uses. In the last few years, he has built multiple commercial buildings in the park, including 500 Research Drive, which is leased by the Registry of Motor Vehicles. His newest development is Northgate Meadows, which will be in Sterling, Mass. It will consist of 216 luxury apartments, when completed.

Richard Fields

Project Consultant

Richard Fields is a respected businessman in the entertainment and hospitality industries for nearly five decades. His involvement on the Fairgrounds project is strictly one of a strategic advisor and consultant due to his vast experience and commitment to the equine community in Massachusetts. During his time at Suffolk Downs, Richard was responsible for instituting many important reforms to the industry improving the protection and care of equine athletes. From strict anti-doping and anti-slaughter protocols, to expanding support and access for equine retirement programs once a horse ends its racing career, Richard’s positive impact transformed HISA and set a new, national higher standard for protecting equine athletes.

Fields has spent his career supporting various issues and non-profits. Richard has been a longtime supporter of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Richard has also been a strong support of the NYPD, horse rescue groups, various Boys & Girls Clubs across the country, and programs that bring agricultural into the classroom for our kids. Knowing the positive impact equine therapy can make in a person’s life, Richard Fields created a horse therapy program for inmates in Plymouth, Massachusetts.

Time and gain, Richard has remained true to his word and worked to create partnerships between the businesses he creates and the communities he becomes a part of.

Baystate Racing LLC & Hollencrest Capital Management

Corporate Structure and Investors

Baystate Racing LLC is the Massachusetts based corporate entity that has partnered with Hollencrest Capital Management to advance the Fairgrounds project.

Hollencrest Capital Management is a California based wealth management firm founded in 1999. Hollencrest was an early pioneer in the independent wealth management movement and has grown to become one of the leading registered investment advisory firms in California with nearly $3 billion of client assets and a high quality, loyal, and growing client base.

Worcester-Fitchburg Building Trades

Fairgrounds Affiliate

The Fairgrounds is committed to building this project to the highest possible standards. That means using the highest skilled local workers, and that means going 100% union. The Worcester-Fitchburg Building Trades represents 14 local area trade unions, ranging from plumbers and electricians to laborers and the operating engineers. Early in the planning phases of the Fairgrounds, Baystate Racing LLC signed an MOU with the Worcester-Fitchburg Building Trades codifying this commitment and ensuring that the work and construction at the Fairgrounds meets the highest possible standards.