Worcester Business Journal

Hall of Fame: Hamilton is leading a $42M effort to help youth Hamilton now leads the Boys & Girls Club as its president and CEO, expanding services to the city’s youth and at-risk populations and undertaking an ambitious $42-million upgrade of its Great Brook…

WBJ Hall of Fame: As leader of the Boys & Girls Club since 2015, Hamilton has built relationships and delivered services to youth and the community at large, as needs evolve.

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Business Leader of the Year: Sacco creates a splash at Davis Farmland “She really creates magic,” said Owner Larry Davis.

WBJ 2026 Business Leader of the Year: Nicolette Sacco was fresh out of college when she began her journey at Davis Farmland as manager of its Mega Maze 15 years ago. The rest is history.

Q&A: Peterson takes the helm at the DCU Center On Feb. 2, Peterson returned to the DCU Center as its new general manager, following the retirements of former general manager Sandy Dunn and assistant general manager Jim Moughan.

On Feb. 2, Peterson returned to the DCU Center as its new general manager, following the retirements of former general manager Sandy Dunn and assistant general manager Jim Moughan.

Senate approves $3.28B borrowing bill for Mass. public higher education Public higher education campuses around Massachusetts are on the verge of what boosters call the most significant capital investment in nearly two decades.

Public higher education campuses around Massachusetts are on the verge of what boosters call the most significant capital investment in nearly two decades following the Senate’s passage of a major borrowing bill Thursday.

Whitin Community Center breaks ground on child care center, part of $10M campaign With WCC already serving 237 children across four sites and maintaining a growing waitlist, the new site aims to increase access to child care services in the Northbridge region.

Renovation of the building is part of a $10-million capital campaign launched by WCC to honor its centennial.

Leominster firm acquires Toronto wire and cable company Genuine Cable Group, a Chicago-based wire, cable, connectivity provider with a location in Leominster, has added a Canadian company to its portfolio.

Genuine Cable Group, a Chicago-based wire, cable, connectivity provider with a location in Leominster, has added a Canadian company to its portfolio with the acquisition of United Wire & Cable out of Toronto.

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101: Setting boundaries as a new manager Whether you have experience as a manager or not, the first few days and weeks can make or break your success in the role.

101: Being a new manager comes with its challenges.

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WBJ Hall of Fame: Kurt Isaacson has greatly expanded Spectrum Health Systems' service footprint.

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Business Leader of the Year: Haritos helps people with disabilities find meaningful work AIS contributes to organizations like the United Way and the Make-A-Wish Foundation and provides paid time off for employees who wish to volunteer at a nonprofit during work hours.

WBJ 2026 Business Leader of the Year: “Nick is an incredibly compassionate leader, and he legitimately cares. Not to say I don’t care, but he wears his heart on his sleeve much more,” said Arthur Maxwell, founder and chairman of AIS.

Worcester-based Open Sky Community Services has promoted Levi Ekstrom to director of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging at the $119-million human services nonprofit.

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EcoTarium expects elephant exhibit in new 6,400-sq.-ft. hall to attract 100K visitors The hall will host “Secret World of Elephants,” a science exhibition developed by the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.

The exhibit explores the life of the world’s largest land animal with a life-sized model, hands on exhibits, and interactive stations.

Aspen Aerogels’ net loss hit $390M in 2025 Aspen cites a drop in electric vehicle demand and production as catalysts for its major net loss of 2025.

Aspen reported a 40% year-over-year decline in revenue from $452.7 million in 2024 to $271.1 million in 2025.

Hall of Fame: Crowley & Stimpson bring millions to Wa-Wa-Wachusett Wachusett Mountain Ski Area is the crown jewel of the growing Central Massachusetts tourism scene.

WBJ Hall of Fame: Jeff Crowley and Carolyn Stimpson have helped turn Wachusett Mountain into the crown jewel of the Central Massachusetts tourism industry.

Poll: Voters support rent control, income tax reduction Pollsters found cost of living was a top concern among respondents, with 28% citing it as the most important issue facing Massachusetts. Housing was second, with 24%.

Beacon Hill leaders have made it clear they oppose potential ballot questions capping annual rent increases and reducing the state’s income tax, but new poll results show voters support the proposals.

Business Leader of the Year: Mohaghegh is a creative mastermind She is the owner and CEO of Cafe Neelu, a multi-concept business inside a Gateway Park building owned by her father.

2026 WBJ Business Leader of the Year: Coffee is essential to Mohaghegh’s business plan, she said, because food and drink have a way of connecting people.

Court rules IPG Photonics infringed on German manufacturer’s patent The Unified Patent Court in Mannheim, Germany, identified the infringement in specific designs of IPG’s adjustable mode beam lasers.

A German patent court has ruled Marlborough laser manufacturer IPG Photonics infringed upon a patent belonging to German manufacturer TRUMPF SE + Co. KG through the production of certain IPG lasers.

TJX receives $470M in credit card settlement, as annual net sales exceed $60B TJX’s fiscal year wrapped up at the end of January and saw the firm bring in net sales of $60 billion, up 7% from 2025.

Framingham-based TJX Cos. had a big fiscal 2026, capping off the year well above expectations and receiving a boost from the settlement of a long-running battle with credit card providers over fees.

Medtronic’s R&D site in Boxborough sold for $17.8M to Boston firm Completed in 2002, the two-story building is leased to Medtronic, an Ireland-headquartered medical device company.

A Boston-based investment firm has purchased a Boxborough property containing a 97,210-square-foot research-and-development building for $17.8 million.

Clark University climbs 14 spots on Fortune’s best MBA list Clark was the sole Central Massachusetts university to make Fortune’s list.

Clark University’s MBA degree track has been recognized as one of the best in the nation as the Worcester school has been named to Fortune magazine’s list of Best Business Schools and MBA Programs for 2026.

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Grants to fund your workforce training For the past 20 years, funding through the Workforce Training Fund Program has helped hundreds of employers improve employee skills to remain competitive in their industries.

Rich Frenette, founder of Workforce Training Solutions, provides some advice on funding workforce training through grants:

Long-term Worcester senior living executive director retires Joan Cusson stepped down from her executive position on Friday.

“Joan’s legacy is one of transformation, compassion, and excellence,” Kristine Binette, Ascentria vice president of senior living operations, said.

Private equity invests in Littleton-based fire safety and security firm RF Investment Partners, a growth capital investor based in New York and focused on lower-middle market businesses, has partnered with Chicago-based private equity firm Prairie Capital to make the…

RF Investments generally makes investments of $10 to $40 million, according to its website.

Boston Scientific adds Starbucks CFO and biopharma giant CEO to board Cathy Smith and Christophe Weber joined Boston Scientific’s board on Wednesday.

Fresh off an acquisition streak, Marlborough medical device manufacturer Boston Scientific has appointed two new heavyweight members to its board of directors.

Sweetgreen opening first Worcester County location The firm has not announced the store’s opening date yet.

Known for health-focused menu items like salads and protein bowls, Sweetgreen was founded in 2007.

WBJ Economic Forecast event to feature Bank of America economist Mishra’s focus is on analyzing the labor market and GDP outlook. She regularly contributes to the “BofA on USA” card data report and has appeared on CNBC, CNN, Bloomberg, Yahoo Finance, and Financial…

The Central Mass. Economic Forecast & Real Estate Forum on Thursday will be keynoted by Shruti Mishra, a U.S. economist at Bank of America.

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Social equity businesses push cannabis regulators to extend cannabis delivery license exclusivity Social equity applicants are those who have been disproportionately affected by previous marijuana prohibition and enforcement activities.

Regulators are eyeing a three-year extension to the period that cannabis delivery licenses are restricted to social equity applicants, but businesses and advocates want a lengthier extension to make up for the program’s shortfalls.

In the decades since its launch, WBJ's Business Leader of the Year has expanded to honor winners from different corners of the economy: small businesses, large businesses, nonprofits, innovation, families. Here's the 2026 class:

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WBJ Daily Report to switch to morning delivery in March Starting on March 2, the WBJ Daily Report will be sent at 8:30 a.m. Monday through Friday, switching from its previous noon delivery time.

Starting on March 2, the WBJ Daily Report will be sent at 8:30 a.m. Monday through Friday, switching from its previous noon delivery time.

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Movers & Shakers for Feb. 23, 2026 Employees at Rockland Trust, Green Leaf Construction, and AG Signs and Graphics are being promoted.

Check out the latest edition of WBJ's Movers & Shakers:

Leominster pension firm acquires Worcester consulting group The transaction sees IPS acquire all of BDS’ client relationships and staff, with BDS Consulting Founder Jill Whittredge remaining on the near term to support the transition.

Leominster-based retirement planning firm Integrated Pension Services has acquired Worcester-based BDS Consulting Group, a move IPS says will expand its scale by about 50%.