Known as the Heart of the Commonwealth, Worcester boasts the second largest population base in New England and a key central location within Massachusetts. On the cusp of revolution, this city is actively moving away from its industrial roots toward a modern, amenitized urban landscape. Worcester’s latest wins include landing the Woo Sox minor league baseball team, and expanding flight offerings at the Worcester Regional Airport. Public and private developments have brought new office, hotel, residential, retail and other commercial space to the city center — helping bring an 18-hour vibe to downtown Worcester.

As a quintessential college town, Worcester is home to 35,000 college students across nine colleges and universities. Vital to the city’s economy, these institutions bring a wealth of opportunity to the region through
academic collaborations, internships, research and employment. Many of these schools, including WPI, Assumption College and Holly Cross, consistently appear in the U.S. News & World Report rankings as well as the Princeton Review. Worcester maintains a strong economic base, with healthcare, education, biotech, finance, manufacturing and trade representing key employment sectors in the city. Major employers include UMass Memorial, Reliant Medical Group, College of the Holy Cross, Abbvie, Blue Sky BioServices, Hanover Insurance and Saint Gobain.

The quality of life is second-to-none in Worcester. The restaurant scene is booming and craft brewing has exploded here while cultural offerings, recreation opportunities and other entertainment options continue to expand. Housing affordability, key transit access (including a direct MBTA commuter rail line to Boston), and a growing entrepreneurial ecosystem are other crucial components to Worcester’s renaissance.