Research Bureau Examines Worcester By the Numbers in Latest Report

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Nicholas Handy, GoLocalWorcester Contributor

After a successful annual meeting last week, The Worcester Regional Research Bureau has released their 29th Annual Report, detailing the organization’s year in review.

The report, entitled "Worcester by the Numbers: Making it Count,” highlights the many issues and areas of discussion the Research Bureau has reported on in the past year including public finance, education, economic development, and public administration.

“For nearly thirty years, the Research Bureau has worked to protect the public interest in Greater Worcester by identifying issues, investigating impacts, and educating the public and government officials of opportunities and best practices,” said Karen Duffy, Chairman of the Board and Tim McGourthy, Executive Director, both with the Research Bureau, in a joint statement. “The Bureau will continue to be fearless addressing difficult issues such as establishing an equitable tax system, managing municipal resources and assets, controlling public employee pension and health insurance costs, enhancing the region’s transportation network, and strengthening the public schools.”

Since the organization was founded in 1985, the Research Bureau has released over 220 reports, briefs, and other publications and has presented nearly 200 free programs which were open to both government officials and the public.

Worcester Data Collection

As a part of their “Worcester by the Numbers” series, The Research Bureau has released a number of reports in the past year with a focus on data collection for the Greater Worcester area.

Primarily focused around land use, housing, public education, the economy, and jobs, The Research Bureau found a number of interesting statistics including:

While Worcester is the second largest city in New England, the city has the second lowest population density among the seven major cities of the region

51-percent of Worcester’s households are spending more than 30-percent of their incomes on rent, the lowest rate in New England’s largest cities

Worcester’s home-ownership rate is at 46.6-percent which is lower than the national average of 66.1-percent but higher than the seven other New England cities

Worcester’s employment in the education and health services field are higher than the national average

Looking forward to next year, The Research Bureau hopes to continue data gathering through “Worcester by the Numbers” in order to track key changes and identify trends in the Worcester area.

“Data that informs key decisions enable organizations like Quinsigamond Community College to make shrewd investments in the Greater Worcester community,” said Gail Carberry, the President of Quinsigamond Community College. “The Research Bureau’s informational reports often enable us to better assess the community’s needs, strengths and opportunities as we plan our best strategies for future direction and growth.”

A Year in Review

Tim McGourthy

In addition to the “Worcester by the Numbers” series, the Research Bureau released a number of other reports in the past year. Reports on housing, public and charter schools, the city manager search, the common core standards, and more were all commissioned by the Research Bureau.

In addition, the Research Bureau organized a number of forums detailing a wide variety of subjects including manufacturing, post employment benefits, economic development, and the future of Worcester. Each forum had its own set of partnerships designed to add to the issue or debate at hand.

“Providing in-depth insight on issues impacting the Worcester region, the Research Bureau keeps government, business and community leaders informed on the most relevant issues, said Tom McGregor, Regional Executive of Commercial Banking at Santander. “Access to this information is vital as it allows for more a robust dialogue and a more informed public.”

Related Slideshow: 9 Challenges Facing Worcester’s New City Manager

Now the Edward Augustus is serving as City Manager for Worcester, GoLocal reached out to the city's leaders to find out what they believe are the biggest challenges Augustus will face in his new role.

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Keep Forward Momentum

Paul Giorgio, publisher of Pagio, Inc. and a GoLocalWorcester MINDSETTER™:

“Priority One: Keep up the momentum.

Two: Work with the mayor on creating a task force for the north end of Main Street.

Three: Insure that we keep our school renovation plan on track.”

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Economic Development

Councilor Anthony Economou:

“Economic development is huge. We have a lot going on, and we have to keep the momentum up,” Economou said. “Make sure we don't miss a beat. You don't want to lose a period of nine months and not have forward progress.”

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Financial Management

Roberta Schaefer, former president of the Worcester Regional Research Bureau:

Schaefer said continuing the sound financial management of former City Manager Michael O'Brien was the greatest task for Augustus. But in addition to financial questions, she called for Augustus to “follow the lead of Michael O'Brien, to make sure he represents all the interests of the city, as the CEO of the city.

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Business Climate

Tim Murray, president and chief executive officer of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce:

In addition to budgeting and economic development, Murray pointed to fostering the business climate in the city. “Try to make Worcester as business-friendly a place as possible,” he said. Whether through permitting, customer service, or other incentive, “whatever we can do to make the city a supportive (place for business).”

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Budget Concerns

Christopher Pinto, member of the Worcester Republican City Committee:

“Can he really do pension reform? Can he spare the taxpayers from more abusive taxes?” asked Pinto, who wonders what Augustus will do about the Responsible Employer Ordinance and how the new city manager will make appointments to boards and commissions.

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Capital Improvements

Councilor Frederick Rushton:

Rushton said the number one challenge Augustus will face is following through toward new buildings and/or renovations to area high schools in need of capital improvements.

"Second," he said, “is completing CitySquare.”

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Public Safety

Councilor Sarai Rivera:

Rivera points to economic development, neighborhood development, and continuing to support public safety and public service, as well as “working with private and labor to support the (Responsible Employer Ordinance) and look into an apprentice program.”

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Neighborhood Development

Councilor George Russell:

“It's not necessarily 'A, B, and C,' it's more what you want to see overall,” Russell said. “For me, it's more neighborhood orientation.”

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Collective Bargaining

Councilor Anthony Economou:

Economou also cited the upcoming task of collective bargaining with union city workers. “One of the challenges will be the contracts,” Economou said. “I imagine it's on his radar, to get those discussions going.”