Life Outside of Boston on Worcester, Massachusetts, Voters Minds

The cities and towns surrounding Boston, such as Worcester, are characterized as old "Mill Towns" that were at the center of Massachusetts' economic boom during the beginning years of the Industrial Revolution. In recent decades these towns have made a good run at becoming economically and socially viable for business and population growth. Initiatives to reinvigorate these areas are crucial to old mill towns and other places throughout the country with similar circumstances. These regions are home to a great number of voters looking for a positive chance in their local situations.

The city of Worcester which is the second largest in population in New England is considered by many to be an up-and-coming area. Innumerable restaurants and small local businesses can be found in the city. Many of the mills and warehouses which Worcester was once famous for having as dilapidated, dangerous fire hazards are now swanky "luxury" condominiums for sale. Much work has gone into making Worcester more than just a bedroom city and a place to raise children, send them to k-12 education and then have a myriad of local colleges and universities to choose from.

Unfortunately there are still fewer jobs than desired in Worcester outside of its main industries of health care. Many in the city commute to Boston or its suburbs for work straining the I-90 Interstate highway. There has been significant investment in the MBTA's commuter rail system with a large scale renovation of the Union Station train station downtown. With rising gas prices and limited potential expansion of the MBTA commuter rail, local jobs and economic opportunities need to be made.

Worcester is home to 11 colleges and universities producing graduates with skills ranging through engineering, to veterinary medicine to business management. The potential to attract large and small business opportunities hinges on the educated and skilled workforce. Worcester is extremely capable of producing these types of workers and needs these young graduates to stay in the city after graduation and invest in their local communities. The flight of Worcester's population into the suburbs will continue to hurt the city's chances of bringing about cohesive and lasting change.

Plenty of times there have been speculators buying up large swaths of property and renovating it to make a profit. The eventual problem with this is the plague of real estate foreclosures that has blanketed the entire United States with an economic recession. Programs for first time home buyers are available to a limited extent and the opportunity for more people to become gainfully employed and own a house will truly draw more people to Worcester. The mixture of education and economic opportunity in Worcester is unique and great. Many feel the city is on the verge of a renaissance and the voters in Worcester with their time and lives invested will surely vote for the candidate who displays a respect for the booming local economies and communities that Worcester is trying to become once again.