Hoping to resurrect city’s momentum before coronavirus pandemic, Worcester’s Economic Recovery Committee bringing business owners to the table in reopening plan

What lies beyond the pandemic? MassForward is MassLive’s series examining the journey of Massachusetts’ businesses through and beyond the coronavirus pandemic.

___________

Mayor Joseph Petty envisions rebuilding Worcester’s momentum out of the coronavirus pandemic from the ground up.

In announcing an Economic Recovery Committee for the city on Tuesday, Petty hopes ideas to help Worcester’s economy reopen will come from both large and small business owners from all sectors of the city.

Petty envisions the city listening to the needs of businesses rather than officials telling businesses what they should do.

“I think it’s a good idea to talk because I think this coming from the City Council on Tuesday nights with a report from the city manager and putting it up on the web site is not going to be good enough,” Petty said. “I think if you can get different people from different segments of the workforce, they can address issues at their level.”

An overall steering committee will be made up of industry-specific subcommittees. Petty said the steering committee will likely meet weekly. He also plans to allow all members, including those on sub-committees, to attend and speak at the steering committee meetings.

Subcommittees will include cultural institutions, development and real estate, financial services, manufacturing and health. They’ll meet as often as necessary deemed by the sub-committee head, Petty said.

“We’re going to talk about the issues and know what they’re facing,” Petty said.

Petty plans for the first meeting to be held Friday. At that time, when the members are finalized, a roster will be released, he said.

The idea, in part, was inspired by the work done through the Worcester Together fund, which holds regular virtual meetings with about 60 people.

To date, the partnership between the Greater Worcester Community Foundation and the United Way of Central Massachusetts in cooperation with the city of Worcester has raised nearly $7 million.

“When I watched the Worcester Together group meet, and how they are getting together with all the challenges the city is facing, I thought this would be a good idea,” Petty said. “It’s going to be tough because everybody is struggling to open up their business, so I just want to make sure this works.”

The Worcester Economic Index (WEI), which is calculated by Assumption College, fell by 1.6% in the first quarter of 2020. The report said the drop was inconsequential compared to future estimates of decline.

The data, which already showed a dipped, was collected about a month prior to the majority of coronavirus cases reaching Worcester.

Surveys were completed between March 8 and March 14. Gov. Charlie Baker prohibited restaurants across the state from offering on-site dining on March 15. Nine days later he issued the stay-at-home advisory.

Restaurants like The Hangover Pub experienced a decline in sales of more than 80%. Breweries across the city felt similar losses.

As barbershops, golf courses and retail shops began reopening this week, Petty wants to work directly with them to offer the best chance of success in the future.

“More ground up versus top down,” Petty said. “I think if people can share their concerns and their worries with people like me on the call and Tim Murray from the [Worcester Regional] Chamber [of Commerce] and other people from the business community listening, I think it will be helpful.”

MassForward is MassLive's series examining the journey of Massachusetts' small businesses through and beyond the coronavirus pandemic.

Related Content: