Page 3 - 2024 Annual Report

C HAI R O F T H E B O A R D
A N D E X E C U T I V E D IR E C T OR

Thank you to all who have made the work of the In fact, those researchers highlighted the Bureau’s attention and awards on the regional and national
Worcester Regional Research Bureau possible over work on Worcester as a means of providing context to level. Our report on residential rents, Static Income,
the last year. With your support, we’ve made an Boston’s vulnerability and need to institute significant won first place in the Excellence in Newsroom
indelible impact with our objective research reports reforms and budget limitations. Collaboration and Partnerships category from the
and data visualizations. In transportation, the Bureau’s work on fare free New England Newspaper & Press Association, due
Making an impact is a crucial part of the Bureau’s transit has again been utilized by community to our collaboration with the Worcester Business
mission, to inform the public and policymakers of stakeholders and the Worcester Regional Transit Journal that highlighted the work. Our national
critical opportunities and challenges facing Greater Authority in deciding to continue to suspend fare peers in the Governmental Research Association
Worcester. Our research is always conducted collections. Their innovative recognition of the need recognized our work with four awards this year- Most
objectively and apolitically, but with the purpose to grow ridership has been seen as a model across Distinguished Research on a Local Government
of real-world relevancy. So as result, the Bureau’s the Commonwealth and by comparable systems Issue, Most Effective Education on a Local
work reflects changing circumstances and emerging outside Massachusetts. Government Issue; Best Short Form Writing, and a
needs in the community that warrant thoughtful In infrastructure, the Bureau’s analysis on the safety Certificate of Merit in Best Digital Communication.
examination. All of our research reports and of pedestrians and vulnerable road users came The Bureau also played a leadership role in the
innovative data visualizations are intended to inform amidst a surge of tragedies and the city’s ongoing development of a national research anthology that
sound policy decisions, and ensure that Greater responses, such as their focus on Vision Zero to will feature our research on broadband access.
Worcester has a prosperous and successful future. None of the Bureau’s accomplishments and impact
eliminate related fatalities and serious injuries. The
By that measurement of impact, the Bureau has Bureau’s comprehensive and data—driven analysis would have been possible without the support
had a tremendously successful year over 2024. As of accident data provided an outside and objective and help of so many in Greater Worcester, such as
this annual report details, our work has covered a resource as the City Manager and Mayor declared a our Executive Committee and Board of Directors,
wide range of topics and issues, and has informed “road safety and traffic violence crisis”. contributors from business and philanthropy, in kind
proceedings in Worcester and beyond. Just a few In partnership with the Greater Worcester Community supporters such as PENTA Communications and
highlights include… Foundation, the Bureau was able to establish a Greenberg, Rosenblatt, Kull, and Bitsoli PC, and
collaborators from government, higher education,
In education, the Bureau’s comprehensive new data dashboard, Worcester County Indicators. the media, and community organizations. All of the
examination of the need for investment in school This platform provides the public, policymakers, individuals and organizations listed in this annual
facilities was mirrored by the priorities in the and community organizations with tools and key report deserve the community’s thanks, since the
Worcester Public School’s Strategic Plan, and the data insights on community life, demographics Bureau’s objective and impactful research wouldn’t
Bureau’s Executive chaired the related Advisory Task and diversity, economic mobility, employment and be possible without their participation.
Force of community members. Our report has led workforce, health and wellbeing, and youth and
MassINC to partner with the Bureau in conducting an education. With the continued support of so many regional
expanded examination of urban school facility needs The Bureau’s impact has not been solely confined to leaders, employers, and institutions, the Bureau will
across the Commonwealth, to provide additional our research and visualizations, since our work has continue to serve the long term needs of Greater
evidence of the need for updated state funding of informed and influenced proceedings in the region Worcester into our fortieth year, and ensure that our
such projects. and on the state level. Our Board of Directors met region succeeds and prospers.
In broadband access, the Bureau built on our prior with the Massachusetts Secretary of Economic
two reports to release an online data dashboard Development Yvonne Hao to provide input on the
illustrating needs in Worcester and surrounding implementation of the new statewide economic
communities. These resources have informed the development plan, on the eve of the Governor filing
city’s digital equity plan and statewide discussions, related legislation. Our Board also met with the
and led to the Bureau’s appointment to the state’s Massachusetts Secretary of Transportation, Monica
Broadband Access and Digital Equity Working Tibbits-Nutt, to discuss such regional priorities as
Group. The most recent data dashboard, which commuter rail, the Airport, the WRTA, and other key PAUL KELLY
included enrollment in the formerly available regional infrastructure improvements. Chair of the Board
federal broadband subsidy program, has helped Since our Annual Meeting keynote speaker is
inform the development of the city’s digital equity President Susan Collins of the Federal Reserve Bank
plan. Such tools are tremendously helpful in guiding of Boston, we should also note our work with the
government and community responses, especially Fed. The Bureau has been invited to participate in
as stakeholders are considering how to best secure their Inclusive Economies initiative, and brought Fed
federal funding to address these needs. representatives to meet with the City Manager and
In commercial real estate, the Bureau’s report and key community stakeholders on their Massachusetts
accompanying dashboard illustrated the importance Economic Conditions and Household Opportunity
of commercial properties, with both direct and Survey, which will assess household wealth across
indirect economic impacts. This was particularly the state. PAUL F. MATTHEWS
timely, as a report by the Boston Policy Institute The impact and quality of the Bureau’s work Executive Director & CEO
spotlighted Boston’s tremendous dependency on has been recognized outside of Worcester, with
commercial real estate during a precarious period.

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