Worcester Business Journal

Healey signs legislation expanding transgender care, reproductive protections Surrounded by health care advocates and curious tourists peering into Nurses Hall, Gov. Maura Healey signed an expanded shield law Thursday giving patients and providers in Massachusetts a new layer…

Surrounded by health care advocates and curious tourists peering into Nurses Hall, Gov. Maura Healey signed an expanded shield law Thursday giving patients and providers in Massachusetts a new layer of defense.

The Hanover selects new president of technology and life sciences The Hanover Insurance Group has named long-time employee Toni Mitchell as its president of technology and life sciences.

The Hanover Insurance Group has named long-time employee Toni Mitchell as its president of technology and life sciences.

Westborough optics firm names Allegro MicroSystems executive to replace retiring CFO Westborough-based optics firm has named Erich Manz, a former executive at New Hampshire-based Allegro MicroSystems, as its replacement for its retiring CFO.

Westborough-based optics firm Kopin Corp. has named Erich Manz, a former executive at New Hampshire-based Allegro MicroSystems, as its replacement for retiring CFO Rich Sneider.

Castiel to retire as Worcester health commissioner, to resume community work helping at-risk residents After 10 years serving as City of Worcester’s Health & Human Services Commissioner, Dr. Matilde Castiel is calling it a career, sort of.

After 10 years serving as City of Worcester’s Health & Human Services Commissioner, Dr. Matilde Castiel is calling it a career, sort of.

www.wbjournal.com/article/cast...

CHIA: Black and Hispanic residents faced the most unmet health-related needs in 2023 Nearly 40% of Massachusetts residents dealt with at least one unmet health-related social need in 2023, with that rate disproportionately magnified among Black and Hispanic Bay Staters, according to…

Nearly 40% of Massachusetts residents dealt with at least one unmet health-related social need in 2023, with that rate disproportionately magnified among Black and Hispanic Bay Staters, according to a new report from state health officials.

UniBank buys 100-year-old home linked to original founder’s family for $1M This is far more significant than just a purchase of real estate — it’s a bridge between the past and the future,” Timothy Wickstrom, chairman of the board of directors at UniBank, said.

Whitinsville-based UniBank is now the owner of a 100-year-old house tied to the bank’s founding family, with plans to convert the building into a banking training center and home for its charitable foundation.

Worcester Restaurant Week returns for summer edition Worcester Restaurant Week is back, allowing local diners to enjoy a three-course meal for less than $30 per person at participating Central Massachusetts eateries.

This year, more than 35 restaurants across Worcester, Boylston, Holden, Leicester, Millbury, Northborough, Spencer, Shrewsbury, and West Boylston are participating.

Marlborough Hospital to double emergency department size amid $46M expansion The hospital hopes to see its first patient at its expanded emergency department by November 2026.

Marlborough Hospital has broken ground on an expansion project to double the size of its emergency department as the hospital works to meet the mounting needs of the community.

www.wbjournal.com/article/marl...

New WBJ award to honor military veteran executives, nominations now open Worcester Business Journal is seeking award nominations of notable executives with military experience for its Focus on Veterans in Business edition.

Nominations must be submitted by Sept. 26.

Viewpoint: The cure for chaos is community This is not the moment to wring our hands in fear. This is the moment to roll up our sleeves.

Lou Brady, president and CEO of Family Health Center of Worcester, and Steve Kerrigan, president and CEO of Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center, share their thoughts on the current state of of the community health center movement.

Housing group pursuing ballot initiative to cap rent increases Bay Staters might have the chance next year to vote on a proposed law to limit rent increases.

The initiative petition would similarly limit annual rent increases to the cost of living with a 5% cap. There would be exemptions for owner-occupied buildings with four or fewer units, plus new buildings for the first decade.

Devens fusion firm names former Trump official, Microsoft CFO to board Liddell, who served as assistant to the president, deputy chief of staff, director of strategic initiatives, and director of the American Technology Council under Trump, is joining the company’s…

"I am a great believer in fusion and am excited to be a part of CFS as the company leads the commercialization of this vital power source in the next few years," Liddell said in the press release.

Fallon Health CFO departs, VP promoted to interim role Before his departure, Bailey had previously served as the nonprofit health insurer’s interim president and CEO between January and July of 2024.

Fallon declined to comment on the reason for Bailey’s departure or when his last day was. Bailey could not be reached for comment.

Fallon Health CFO departs, VP promoted to interim role Before his departure, Bailey had previously served as the nonprofit health insurer’s interim president and CEO between January and July of 2024.

Fallon declined to comment on the reason for Bailey’s departure or when his last day was. Bailey could not be reached for comment.

www.wbjournal.com/article/fall...

Mass. tax ruling creates new risk for founders who move out of state A landmark case creates significant tax implications for business founders who build companies in Massachusetts and later relocate to another state before selling their shares, writes Matthew…

"The recent Massachusetts Appeals Court ruling in Welch v. Commissioner of Revenue has sent shockwaves through the entrepreneurial community," Matthew Erskine, managing partner for Worcester law firm Erskine & Erskine, writes.

CVS and Mass General Brigham propose clinical affiliation to address primary care shortage Mass General Brigham and CVS want to team up to tackle the dearth of primary care services in Massachusetts by expanding care options at MinuteClinic locations.

Under the arrangement, MGB patients could receive in-network primary care at MinuteClinic, according to a CVS spokesperson. MinuteClinic would also continue to make acute care services available for all Bay Staters.

Charlton auto dealership sold to partnership backed by $2M WBDC small business loan Worcester Business Development Corp. has added Butler GMC to its Small Business Administration 504 Loan portfolio.

With McGee and McKay heading into retirement, a new ownership group under the name Butler GMC has acquired both the business and its real estate for a price of $3.3 million.

Lifeward expands Middle East reach, offers mobility treadmills to six new countries Lifeward mobility products will be available in six new countries following the company's expanded partnership with its England-based distributor.

Lifeward mobility products will soon be available in six new Middle Eastern countries after the Marlborough-based medical device company has expanded its partnership with its England-based distributor.

ASPCA covering adoption fees for cats & dogs at East Brookfield animal shelter on Thursday The endeavor will see the ASPCA cover adoption fees for dogs eight-months-old and older and cats two-years-old and older.

In an effort to place more animals into homes, prospective pet owners at East Brookfield-based nonprofit Second Chance Animal Services will not have to pay adoption fees for certain cats and dogs on Thursday.

www.wbjournal.com/article/aspc...

Letting go of my dream: The closure of The Queen's Cups Now, I’m finally putting my family and myself first. I have new dreams to chase, new goals to reach. And while this chapter is closing, the story isn’t over.

Renee Diaz, owner of The Queen's Cups bakery in Worcester, shares her perspective on the closure of the business.

Mount Wachusett college receives $5M to support students facing systemic barriers The Gardner school has received more than $5 million to support the academic success of low-income students, first-generation students, and students with disabilities.

The school expects 420 students will be supported per year by the two federally funded TRIO SSS programs: MWCC’s Visions and STEM programs.

Milford cannabis cultivation facility closing, 157 workers impacted A cultivation facility owned by what was once considered to be one of the most prominent cannabis companies in the country has shuttered, impacting 157 workers at the site. Miami-based Ayr Wellness…

Ayr has operations in Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Ohio, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The company’s stock price on the OTC Markets peaked at around $36.54 in February 2021, but was trading at less than a penny as of Monday morning.

A Thousand Words: Intergenerational Workforce Summit On Aug. 6, Nichols College in Dudley will host its Intergenerational Workforce Summit: an event featuring representatives from Traditionalists, Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z discussing how…

Here's cartoonist Ramón L. Sandoval's take on intergenerational workforce issues, ahead of an Aug. 6 event at Nichols College which will look to explore the topic.

Healey introduces $400M initiative to support state research, jobs Gov. Maura Healey wants to infuse the state's research and jobs sector with hundreds of millions of dollars as Massachusetts grapples with a tight fiscal climate and federal fluctuations in research…

Gov. Maura Healey wants to infuse the state's research and jobs sector with hundreds of millions of dollars as Massachusetts grapples with a tight fiscal climate and federal fluctuations in research and education support.

Avidia Bank fully completes transition to public company, begins trading on NYSE Shares began trading at an initial price of $10, climbing to around $14.30 as of late Monday morning.

Hudson-based Avidia Bank is now a publicly-traded company, having closed its initial public offering in connection with its conversion from a mutual community bank.

Flynn Life Sciences picks new CEO, first-ever chief revenue officer Flynn Life Sciences Group has selected its second-ever CEO and named its inaugural chief revenue officer as the Framingham-based consulting firm completes its company-wide rebranding.

DeMania now serves as Flynn’s second-ever leader, taking over for Founder Mark, who held the CEO role since 2009.

Overcoming barriers: Workers with disabilities battle preconceived notions, as their labor force participation rises and company programs expand To help combat the systemic disparity facing neurodivergent individuals and provide empowering work, a handful of Central Massachusetts companies are utilizing workforce programs to recognize and…

These neurodivergent individuals are often systematically deprived of meaningful employment promoting personal fulfillment and independence.

New $84M youth athletic academy at former Bose campus in Stow to be site of USA Fencing center A former Bose Corp. campus in Stow is set to be the site of an $83.8-million private boarding academy focused on developing students into elite athletes.

The first academy of its kind in New England, Masters Academy International expects to serve more than 500 students ranging from grades 6-12 across more than 10 sports. The academy expects to open in the fall of 2026.

www.wbjournal.com/article/new-...

Q&A: Worcester collaborations offers free medical care In 2024, the member organizations of WFCC and its 270 medical volunteers delivered free medical care to 6,500 patients.

The Worcester Free Care Collaborative was formed in 2021, when seven pre-existing free medical programs of various backgrounds and faiths came together to form the advocacy group.

Westborough energy firm lands $252M contract for Army depot upgrades Equipment maintained and repaired at the site includes M1 Abrams tanks and Stryker armored fighting vehicles.

NORESCO, a Westborough-based division of Carrier Global Corp. focusing on energy and water infrastructure, has secured a contract worth $252 million.