WORCESTER—The community gets a rare opportunity to gain valuable insights into one of the most complex and critical issues of our time—how the economy really works—at the 39th annual meeting hosted by the Worcester Regional Research Bureau (WRRB) on Wednesday, Oct. 9, at 5 p.m. at the DCU Center.
As the keynote speaker, Susan M. Collins, president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, sheds light on regional and national economic trends that impact everyday lives.
Since understanding monetary policy and economic shifts can be confusing to many, Collins offers clarity, drawing on her expertise and insider perspective as a key player in shaping U.S. monetary policy. This event promises a deeper understanding of the forces shaping our economy, providing the community a chance to learn from a true expert.
Collins, an internationally recognized economist, has held her position since July 2022, overseeing economic research, banking supervision, and financial stability efforts for the Boston Fed. She also participates in the Federal Open Market Committee, shaping U.S. monetary policy. With a distinguished academic and policy career, including a Ph.D. from MIT and faculty roles at Harvard and Georgetown, Collins brings deep insights into global economics and its impact on the U.S. economy.
“The Research Bureau is honored to provide this opportunity for Susan Collins to address Greater Worcester,” Paul Matthews, executive director and CEO of WRRB, told the Worcester Guardian. In that role, she has a uniquely important perspective on our economy, not just here in Massachusetts and New England, but on what’s happening nationally and internationally.”
Matthews noted that her visit reflects her commitment to engage with local leaders and gain a deeper understanding of economic conditions across New England.
In addition to the keynote, the WRRB announces new officers and board members for the coming year, as well as its annual report, which serves as a comprehensive review of the organization’s work over the past year.
Matthews explained, “Our annual report doesn’t have an explicit theme but summarizes the range of research topics we’ve explored, including school facility needs, city parking, pedestrian crashes, commercial real estate, and food security.”
The report also highlights key collaborations, such as the launch of the Worcester County data dashboard with the Greater Worcester Community Foundation and the resumption of the Isaiah Thomas Award.
The WRRB’s research efforts were recognized nationally in 2024, earning four awards from the Governmental Research Association, including Most Distinguished Research on a Local Government Issue.
“We’re proud of our national recognition,” Matthews said, “but our focus remains on providing unbiased, nonpartisan research that serves the Worcester community.”
Matthews also emphasized the relevance of Collins’s keynote to the WRRB’s mission, noting that her ability to convey complex economic issues in an accessible way will be invaluable. “As a highly respected nonpartisan research organization, the Worcester Regional Research Bureau has been serving our region for almost four decades with a public mission that echoes President Collins’ own vision for the Federal Reserve Bank – ‘Nonpartisan, unbiased research can be a public service, we hope, to anyone – and particularly those whose decisions impact others.’”
The event is not just an opportunity to hear from a key policymaker but also a chance for local leaders to engage with Collins during the discussion period. “This is a convening of the region’s top leaders, to not only hear from President Collins but to provide input,” Matthews added.
Attendees can register online for the event. For more details and tickets, visit the WRRB website.
Charlene Arsenault can be reached at carsenault@theworcesterguardian.org
