Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Role in Shaping the City 

©Journal Communications/Nathan Lambrecht

During its sesquicentennial anniversary, the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce traces its origins back to 1875, when it was founded as the Worcester Board of Trade. Currently, the chamber is the largest in New England and it represents 2,100 members in a wide range of industries. The chamber’s service area includes 40 cities, towns and other communities throughout Central Mass. Timothy Murray, Worcester Regional Chamber president and CEO, reflects on the organization’s past, present and future. 

How is the Chamber celebrating this milestone anniversary? 

We started with a Business After Hours party in January 2025 at the Top of the Tower (an event space at the top of the Glass Tower), and we scheduled events throughout the year at various significant locations like the EcoTarium, Union Station and Assumption University. 

We also created the Linda Salem Pervier Permanent Restricted Fund to provide economic development and workforce resources that can help our chamber member businesses and organizations. 

What key moments or individuals from the Chamber’s history do you believe have had the most profound impact on the city? 

The Chamber has always been an advocate for better transportation in our region, with efforts to improve the Blackstone Canal, area roadways and Worcester Regional Airport. We are also especially proud of helping establish the Worcester Community Chest in 1920, which eventually developed into the United Way. 

How has the Chamber’s role evolved over the past century and a half to meet the changing needs of the business community? 

The Chamber began as a group that only served Worcester, and it has evolved to become a regional organization of 40 communities today. We are also in touch often with Boston and Washington, D.C., to do what is best for our region. 

What do you believe are the most significant strengths of Worcester’s business community today? 

Perhaps our biggest strength is access to higher education, with about a dozen colleges and universities in this area. We have many biotech and biomanufacturing companies here, and they are pleased that we have a strong local workforce with top talent. 

What emerging industries or sectors do you see as having the greatest potential for growth in Worcester? 

Strong sectors include finance, education and health care, and life sciences continue to be robust and growing. Also, distribution is a strong and growing sector thanks to our convenient access to several interstates. 

What is one thing you would want every business owner in Worcester to know about the Chamber? 

We continue to be a member-driven organization for our 2,100 members. We stage high-visibility events to help our existing companies succeed, and we are also the lead organization in the effort to recruit new businesses to Worcester and the Central Massachusetts region.