10 Things I know about... Why you should start a Worcester business

Sherri Pitcher is the vice president of business development for Leominster-based Fidelity Bank.

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By Sherri Pitcher

10) Diverse and stable economy. Worcester is home to companies of all sizes from various industries including manufacturing, life sciences, education, healthcare and financial services.

9) Collaborative business community. Worcester has resources fostering our entrepreneurial ecosystem including co-working and maker spaces, incubators and business support groups.

8) Ease of doing business Worcester. The city has a streamlined permitting process, incentives and resources for business development, site selection and financing.

7) Affordable. The cost of doing business in Worcester is lower than nearby cities while offering the same amenities of a larger city like Boston.

6) Housing options. Worcester offers many choices from luxury apartments to single-family homes. With home values on the rise (5.7% over last year), Worcester remains affordable with a median cost of $218,000.

5) State-of-the-art connectivity. Worcester has fiber loops throughout the city and downtown.

4) Accessible, central location. Worcester's location is less than an hour's drive to Boston, Providence and Hartford. Union Station is an intermodal transportation hub. Ofo, Worcester's new bikeshare service, offers workers an additional option.

3) Educated workforce. With 12 colleges in the region, Worcester brings an estimated 36,000 students to the city. Clark University (#29) and Worcester Polytechnic (#49) made U.S. News and World Report's list of best value colleges.

2) Quality of life. Worcester is home to more than 65 arts and cultural venues including award-winning museums, art galleries and theatres as well as a vibrant club and dining scene.

1) Caring business community. Worcester has a long history of supporting its many nonprofits.