WORCESTER’S FISCAL 2010 REAL ESTATE TAX RATE

Residential: $15.15 *

Commercial: $$33.28 *

*Per thousand of value

What's being done to move this forward? PDF Print E-mail
In November 2008, our City Council voted again to support the ‘lowest residential rate’ at their tax classification hearing. Even though nine residents and business owners let their concerns be known regarding the business climate in Worcester, and only one spoke in favor of the ‘lowest residential rate’, the councilors voted 9 to 2 to support the lowest residential tax rate which is nearly $1 higher per thousand dollars of value than last year’s ‘lowest residential rate’. Sadly, most of the councilors had made their vote known before being elected, without the facts and without communicating the underlying issues with this vote to residents.

PETITION TAKES SHAPE

Within days, frustrated residents initiated a petition asking the council to approve an ad-hoc committee recommended by the City Manager and Mayor made up of residents, business owners and representatives that can assist with evaluating the overall long term economic impact of our dual tax system. The purpose of this committee is to gather research and devise a fair and equitable plan to move our city back to a single tax rate. In less than a week, over 80 residents and business owners had signed this petition. Near the end of December, this petition was heard and approved by the Worcester City Council.

As of February 23rd, 2009, the committee has not been announced yet.

GRASSROOTS EFFORT FORMS

Worcester Citizens for Business, a grassroots effort initiated by Worcester residents, began taking shape in January 2009. Efforts thus far have been gathering reports and information that has been published to date by organizations such as the Worcester Regional Research Bureau and the Worcester Chamber of Commerce; meeting with representatives from local non-profits, residents and business groups; and talking with Worcester marketing groups such as Choose Worcester about their experiences. This effort is an entirely educational effort and while some expenses for signs and copies may need to be covered, there is no need for planned fundraising at this time.

This website was created entirely by volunteer citizens to get out information and collect it.

UPCOMING PRESENTATIONS

Kiwanis of Worcester - Thursday, March 5th
Mill Swan Neighborhood Association - Tuesday, March 10th 

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Worcester’s Economic and Neighborhood Development Office: The Office of Economic and Neighborhood Development's goal is to create an environment within Worcester conducive to both business and residential activity, in turn attracting and leveraging additional private investment. Its Economic Development Division works to highlight and build on the City's many strengths as a means of promoting its future.

For more information, visit Worcester Economic and Neighborhood Development Office website at: http://www.worcestermass.org/.

Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce: The mission of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce is to support existing businesses and promote economic development in the Worcester region by being a bold, strong, articulate and effective advocate.

For more information, visit the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce website at: http://www.worcesterchamber.org/.

Worcester Regional Research Bureau: The Worcester Regional Research Bureau is a private, non-profit organization that conducts independent, non-partisan research and analysis of public policy issues facing the greater Worcester region. By providing such policy data, the Bureau strives to promote more informed public debate and decision-making on financial, administrative, management and community issues facing Worcester's municipal government and the surrounding region.

For more information, visit the Worcester Regional Research Bureau’s website at: http://www.wrrb.org/index.php

Choose Worcester Inc: Worcester Incorporated (CWI) is a 501c(3) non-profit organization funded entirely by leading members of the Worcester business community and private foundations. In business since August 2007, CWI is dedicated to bringing new business to Worcester and helping those businesses that are already in the city to grow and prosper, thereby creating more jobs, new capital investment, additional tax revenues, and an improved quality of life for residents. To attract businesses to locate in Worcester, showcasing the City as a strategic business location on a regional, national and international level.

For more information, visit Choose Worcester’s website at: http://www.chooseworcester.com/

Last Updated on Sunday, 01 March 2009 22:46