Worcester Business Journal
@wbjournal.bsky.social
Your business news source for Central Massachusetts. Available in print, online, and in person.
A plaza in Devens featuring a Dunkin’ and an Anytime Fitness has been sold for $3.68 million.
Devens plaza featuring Dunkin, Anytime Fitness sold for $3.7M
The plaza, constructed in 2005 and located at 6-28 Andrews Parkway, was sold to A1Q Devens Plaza LLC.
wbjournal.com
November 13, 2025 at 10:18 PM
A plaza in Devens featuring a Dunkin’ and an Anytime Fitness has been sold for $3.68 million.
UMass Memorial disputes the auditor’s claims, saying it accounted for the $6.2 million as part of $10 million in bonuses paid to frontline workers.
State auditor assails UMass Memorial Health over use of $6.2M in COVID funding
The Massachusetts state auditor is calling into question UMass Memorial Health’s use of $6.2 million it received in COVID relief grants.
wbjournal.com
November 13, 2025 at 8:55 PM
UMass Memorial disputes the auditor’s claims, saying it accounted for the $6.2 million as part of $10 million in bonuses paid to frontline workers.
Citing federal actions that are impeding the state’s clean energy transition, House Democrats have assembled an omnibus bill that appears to represent a response to Gov. Maura Healey’s energy affordability bill (H 4144).
House energy bill shifts focus from clean energy to affordability
The Conservation Law Foundation said the bill would "gut the state’s climate law and cut energy efficiency programs that help reduce pollution and utility bills for Massachusetts families."
wbjournal.com
November 12, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Citing federal actions that are impeding the state’s clean energy transition, House Democrats have assembled an omnibus bill that appears to represent a response to Gov. Maura Healey’s energy affordability bill (H 4144).
Mentioning Habitat for Humanity tends to invoke images of volunteers, the late President Jimmy Carter among the most famous of them, coming together to build a home. But there's a lot more that goes into the program.
wbjournal.com/article/unib...
wbjournal.com/article/unib...
November 12, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Mentioning Habitat for Humanity tends to invoke images of volunteers, the late President Jimmy Carter among the most famous of them, coming together to build a home. But there's a lot more that goes into the program.
wbjournal.com/article/unib...
wbjournal.com/article/unib...
Funding for the grants will be released in 2026.
Holy Cross launches micro-grant program to strengthen students’ ties to community
The College of the Holy Cross in Worcester has launched a $10,000 micro-grant pilot program aimed at strengthening the college’s participation in the Worcester community.
wbjournal.com
November 12, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Funding for the grants will be released in 2026.
Neither Carus nor the hospital immediately returned WBJ’s request for comment.
Hospital for Behavioral Medicine names fourth CEO in six years
Six months after she assumed the role of interim CEO of the Hospital for Behavioral Medicine, Rachel Corus has dropped her interim tag, making her the Worcester hospital’s fourth permanent CEO in six…
wbjournal.com
November 12, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Neither Carus nor the hospital immediately returned WBJ’s request for comment.
While the exploration wasn't authorized, the City and AHF are using the attention to highlight efforts to save one of Worcester's most prominent landmarks.
wbjournal.com/article/unau...
wbjournal.com/article/unau...
Unauthorized video of Worcester Memorial Auditorium generates YouTube fame, as fundraising effort to save building continues
A popular YouTube account which explores abandoned buildings featured the Worcester Memorial Auditorium in a new video, giving viewers a behind-the-scenes, unauthorized look at the state of the…
wbjournal.com
November 12, 2025 at 5:11 PM
While the exploration wasn't authorized, the City and AHF are using the attention to highlight efforts to save one of Worcester's most prominent landmarks.
wbjournal.com/article/unau...
wbjournal.com/article/unau...
A flurry of court actions surrounding the delivery of SNAP benefits has continued to create turmoil around the federal program amid a historically long government shutdown.
Healey: Mass. SNAP recipients still receiving full benefits
All Massachusetts residents eligible so far this month for federal government food assistance have received their full SNAP benefits, Gov. Maura Healey said Monday as drama continued in courtrooms…
wbjournal.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:15 PM
A flurry of court actions surrounding the delivery of SNAP benefits has continued to create turmoil around the federal program amid a historically long government shutdown.
The program is expected to train 40 people over three years.
WPI receives $1M for hydrogen workforce training
The new program, supported by a $1-million grant from the National Science Foundation, will lead to the creation of a one-year course to prepare workers for careers in roles needed by the hydrogen…
wbjournal.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:10 PM
The program is expected to train 40 people over three years.
WBZ-TV Reporter Levan Reid will emcee the event, which will feature a silent auction and musical performances.
EcoTarium to unveil new exhibition hall, as part of 200th anniversary fundraiser
The EcoTarium museum in Worcester is hosting a gala on Saturday to celebrate its new Stoddard Exhibition Hall, slated to open to the public in the spring of 2026. The […]
wbjournal.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:15 PM
WBZ-TV Reporter Levan Reid will emcee the event, which will feature a silent auction and musical performances.
The Committee of Interns and Residents, the labor union representing 700 UMass providers, passed the three-year contract after reaching a tentative agreement on Oct. 28.
UMass Chan residents ratify new contract, await university approval
Resident physicians have voted to ratify a new contract with UMass Chan Medical School in Worcester, including a nearly 10% raise and thousands of dollars in mental health and education benefits.
wbjournal.com
November 11, 2025 at 6:20 PM
The Committee of Interns and Residents, the labor union representing 700 UMass providers, passed the three-year contract after reaching a tentative agreement on Oct. 28.
The operators of Castle Cantina Tapas Bar & Restaurant in Leicester have bought the distinct property for $1.35 million.
wbjournal.com/article/rest...
wbjournal.com/article/rest...
Restaurateurs buy unique Castle in Leicester for $1.35M
The operators of Castle Cantina Tapas Bar & Restaurant in Leicester have bought the distinct property for $1.35 million.
wbjournal.com
November 11, 2025 at 4:51 PM
The operators of Castle Cantina Tapas Bar & Restaurant in Leicester have bought the distinct property for $1.35 million.
wbjournal.com/article/rest...
wbjournal.com/article/rest...
Community One Stop for Growth is an application portal and collaborative review process of state grant programs.
wbjournal.com/article/majo...
wbjournal.com/article/majo...
Major developments in Worcester, Littleton granted $7M in state funding
The largest grant went toward funding infrastructure upgrades at the site of King Street Common in Littleton.
wbjournal.com
November 11, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Community One Stop for Growth is an application portal and collaborative review process of state grant programs.
wbjournal.com/article/majo...
wbjournal.com/article/majo...
Flexcon’s announcement did not provide any additional information on the reason for the departures or replacement plans for the CFO and COO roles.
Three Flexcon executives depart as company names new CEO
Three of Flexcon’s top executives have departed the company, as the Spencer-based film and adhesive manufacturer has named a new CEO.
wbjournal.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:40 PM
Flexcon’s announcement did not provide any additional information on the reason for the departures or replacement plans for the CFO and COO roles.
Although utility providers were four of the City’s top 10 commercial taxpayers, some of Worcester’s most notable businesses are exempt from paying taxes, as nearly all colleges and hospitals are typically run as nonprofits.
Taxes in Worcester: Businesses are the top tax contributors to the City, but exemptions and the dual rates are leading to calls for reform
In a city with high-profile industries like higher education and health care, the biggest businesses tend to be tax-exempt.
wbjournal.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Although utility providers were four of the City’s top 10 commercial taxpayers, some of Worcester’s most notable businesses are exempt from paying taxes, as nearly all colleges and hospitals are typically run as nonprofits.
Precision Optics says the global aviation AR market is expected to grow more than 20% by 2030, with the technology reducing cost and the potential for training-related accidents.
Gardner optics firm lands $723K order for fighter pilot AR headset project
Gardner-based Precision Optics has secured a product development order worth $723,000, which will see the company produce components for an augmented reality headset used in U.S. Air Force fighter…
wbjournal.com
November 10, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Precision Optics says the global aviation AR market is expected to grow more than 20% by 2030, with the technology reducing cost and the potential for training-related accidents.
While Healey projected an image of cohesion and certainty, critics highlight friction within state government.
Healey touts state as safe haven for investors from federal uncertainty
Speaking at the Thomas Menino Convention Center, Healey said her administration has worked to ensure Massachusetts remains "rock solid" amid federal headwinds.
wbjournal.com
November 7, 2025 at 9:10 PM
While Healey projected an image of cohesion and certainty, critics highlight friction within state government.
CCC Chair Shannon O’Brien offered the latest timeline at the end of a meeting on Friday, as commissioners also learned that a new member, Carrie Benedon, is joining the commission.
wbjournal.com/article/long...
wbjournal.com/article/long...
Long-awaited social consumption rules could be voted on in December
Social consumption sites were envisioned under the 2016 marijuana voter law but have yet to launch.
wbjournal.com
November 7, 2025 at 9:07 PM
CCC Chair Shannon O’Brien offered the latest timeline at the end of a meeting on Friday, as commissioners also learned that a new member, Carrie Benedon, is joining the commission.
wbjournal.com/article/long...
wbjournal.com/article/long...
The restaurant replaces Tavolino Italian Gourmet, which operated in the space for more than a decade before abruptly closing in February, leaving employees scrambling for work.
New England-style bistro opens in Westborough plaza
The restaurant replaces Tavolino Italian Gourmet, which operated in the space for more than a decade before abruptly closing in February.
wbjournal.com
November 7, 2025 at 8:15 PM
The restaurant replaces Tavolino Italian Gourmet, which operated in the space for more than a decade before abruptly closing in February, leaving employees scrambling for work.
Two Worcester biomanufacturing leaders are teaming up to establish a $5.2-million bioindustrial manufacturing tech hub as part of a larger Massachusetts initiative to strengthen regional innovation ecosystems.
wbjournal.com/article/wpi-...
wbjournal.com/article/wpi-...
WPI, MBI to lead creation of $5.2M biomanufacturing hub
Two Worcester biomanufacturing leaders are teaming up to establish a $5.2-million bioindustrial manufacturing tech hub as part of a larger Massachusetts initiative to strengthen regional innovation…
wbjournal.com
November 7, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Two Worcester biomanufacturing leaders are teaming up to establish a $5.2-million bioindustrial manufacturing tech hub as part of a larger Massachusetts initiative to strengthen regional innovation ecosystems.
wbjournal.com/article/wpi-...
wbjournal.com/article/wpi-...
Filling a seat vacated by Nurys Camargo in May, Benedon will join the state’s Cannabis Control Commission after originally joining the AG’s office in 2012.
wbjournal.com/article/ag-o...
wbjournal.com/article/ag-o...
AG official dedicated to open government appointed to cannabis oversight agency
Carrie Benedon joins the five-member commission.
wbjournal.com
November 7, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Filling a seat vacated by Nurys Camargo in May, Benedon will join the state’s Cannabis Control Commission after originally joining the AG’s office in 2012.
wbjournal.com/article/ag-o...
wbjournal.com/article/ag-o...
When Nashoba Valley Medical Center closed its doors at the end of August 2024, its fellow regional hospitals were left to somehow absorb the Ayer facility’s approximately 16,000 annual emergency room visits and about 91,000 annual outpatient visits.
When a hospital closes: Central Mass. ER visits rose after Nashoba Valley shuttered, as hospital finances are increasingly strained
The volume in Central Massachusetts ERs is still expected to grow, exacerbated by a primary care shortage and incoming $1 trillion in cuts nationally to Medicaid.
wbjournal.com
November 6, 2025 at 9:15 PM
When Nashoba Valley Medical Center closed its doors at the end of August 2024, its fellow regional hospitals were left to somehow absorb the Ayer facility’s approximately 16,000 annual emergency room visits and about 91,000 annual outpatient visits.
Mere days after launching its subsidiary Keen Labs, Marlborough-based green tech company ConnectM Technology Solutions has acquired two new companies to support production lines under a newly created division.
Marlborough tech firm acquires two AI companies, plans to build data center in India
Mere days after launching its subsidiary Keen Labs, Marlborough-based green tech company ConnectM Technology Solutions has acquired two new companies to support production lines under a newly created…
wbjournal.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Mere days after launching its subsidiary Keen Labs, Marlborough-based green tech company ConnectM Technology Solutions has acquired two new companies to support production lines under a newly created division.
A New Bedform-based development firm has bought One Exchange Place in Downtown Worcester for $3.5 million, part of its plans to convert the historic building into a mixed-use site featuring apartments and a restaurant.
Developer plans restaurant, 44 apartments in historic Downtown Worcester building
Formerly known as the Waldo Street Police Station, the site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
wbjournal.com
November 6, 2025 at 6:15 PM
A New Bedform-based development firm has bought One Exchange Place in Downtown Worcester for $3.5 million, part of its plans to convert the historic building into a mixed-use site featuring apartments and a restaurant.
Pointing the blame at the challenges to the electric vehicle market, Northborough-based Aspen Aerogels took a $6.3-million net loss in the third quarter, as the company’s former vice president of corporate strategy took over as CFO in October.
Aspen Aerogels stung by EV market downturn, taking $6.3M loss in third quarter, as new CFO takes over
Citing the downtown in the United States’ electric vehicle market, Aspen Aerogels said it is looking to continue diversifying into other markets.
wbjournal.com
November 6, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Pointing the blame at the challenges to the electric vehicle market, Northborough-based Aspen Aerogels took a $6.3-million net loss in the third quarter, as the company’s former vice president of corporate strategy took over as CFO in October.