The Worcester Regional Research Bureau, which retains its residence at Assumption College, recently held its annual meeting on June 5, 2013 at the DCU Center. The Telegram & Gazette covered the event, which focused on the City of Worcester and trends for the future.

WORCESTER — Harvard University economist Edward L. Glaeser said on Wednesday that Worcester has a lot going for it, including its ability to attract intelligent people to local colleges and its low cost of living.

Worcester's economy could benefit from a nationwide trend of people moving into the downtown areas of smaller cities, a Harvard University economist told the annual meeting of the Worcester Regional Research Bureau on Wednesday.

The announcement by Rush Gaming that the proposed slot parlor for Worcester is not moving forward also mean the city will not hit the proverbial casino money jackpot for the city coffers.

The difference between Worcester succeeding in the economic development game and the city Becoming a leading contender for business innovation may lie in retaining the bright minds that annually emerge from the halls of academia throughout Central Massachusetts.

WORCESTER — With a re-configured downtown and with a slew of ongoing "brick-and-mortar" projects, city officials confidently believe that Worcester is poised to become a regional mecca for development.

Worcester possesses many of the ingredients that could help it emerge as a nationally-known research and entrepreneurship hub, including research universities and access to Boston's venture capital market, said Mark Rice, dean of Worcester Polytechnic's business school.

It’s the creature that consumed Central Falls, the stalker that slew Stockton. And as surely as baby boomers are retiring, and retirees are living longer, this financial fiend is wending its wily way to Worcester, as well.

Last week, The Worcester Regional Research Bureau released a report entitled “A Prescription for Retiree Health Care,” to address a crisis local governments are facing as to how to pay for “OPEBs” – “other post-employment benefits," which includes retiree health benefits -- that were promised to retirees in better fiscal times.

It’s not too late to nip in the bud the latest attempt to bring big-time gambling to Worcester. It should be done without delay and in no uncertain terms.