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18 Worcester Business Journal | Fact Book 2018 | wbjournal.com B l a c k s t o n e V a l l e y R E G I O N S Blackstone Valley: At a glance Largest employer Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, Grafton 524 local employees Largest chamber of commerce Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce 500 members (tie) The United Regional Chamber of Commerce 500 members (tie) Biggest bank UniBank for Savings $1,639,257,000 in deposits Biggest college Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, Grafton 430 full-time students, fall 2018 Largest meeting venue Southwick's Zoo, Mendon Accomodates up to 1,000 people in banquet-style Average median age 42.76 Sources: Worcester Business Journal surveys of area businesses, Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) as of June 30, 2018, Esri's Updated Demographics, 2018 estimates, Esri Tapestry Segmentation, www.esri.com With a new education hub, Blackstone Valley is cre- ating partnerships to help companies find workers BY SUSAN SHALHOUB Special to the Worcester Business Journal Open For Business W ith The Shoppes at Blackstone Valley in Millbury, Wyman- Gordon in Grafton and the Purgatory Beer Co. in Whitinsville, the Blackstone Valley and its 11 towns are open for business. So the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce's new program – Open For Business – is aptly named, especially in a region with a legacy of ingenuity and hard work. It's here where the Industrial Revolution gained steam in the late 1700s, with textile mills and other factories powered by the Blackstone River. A collaborative format, Open For Business is showing regional businesses how partnerships get things done, said Jeannie Hebert, chamber president and CEO. Program sessions – featuring business leaders big and small along with local and state officials and legis- lators – put all major players together in one room to share information, exchange ideas and create dialogue. "Many towns are paying closer atten- tion to economic development, and the entities in the state they can partner with to assist them with their endeav- ors," Hebert said, "and how to collabo- rate with neighboring towns." Expert access Open For Business sessions are held in the various towns throughout the Blackstone Valley. A large open forum, they provide opportunity for questions, introductions, conversations and growth. Jeannie Hebert, president & CEO, Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce The Blackstone Valley Heritage Corridor opened a new $21-million visitor center in October.