The Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce has been awarded a grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) to prepare a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS).  This project is being conducted in cooperation with our affiliate chamber partners, the Auburn Chamber of Commerce, Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce, Central Mass South Chamber of Commerce. Wachusett Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Webster-Dudley-Oxford Chamber of Commerce.
 
A CEDS is designed to operate as a guide for municipalities, within an established region, to aid and foster their continued economic development.  The CEDS is meant to be comprehensive and regional in its focus, and not serving the needs of one community at the expense of others.  It should be a set of plans, policies and initiatives that can be implemented by communities of all sizes that encourage economic development that fits the municipality’s needs. In turn, that will contribute to the economic vibrancy of our entire region. The CEDS we prepare will be the region's economic development action plan for the next five years.
 
 
Therefore, we are inviting municipal leaders and the general public, with an interest in local and regional economic development, to take part in an information gathering session in your area.