Worcester Business Journal
@wbjournal.bsky.social
Your business news source for Central Massachusetts. Available in print, online, and in person.
WBJ Champions of Health Care 2025: Scannell Laursen has dedicated herself to a human-based approach centered around awareness and advocacy against one of the most dangerous diseases in the world.
Champions of Health Care: Scannell Laursen teaches people to detect earliest signs of cancer
Tricia Scannell Laursen has been with DetecTogether for 16 years, now leading the Westborough-based nonprofit as president and executive director. She has tested the challenge of delayed cancer…
wbjournal.com
December 12, 2025 at 10:35 PM
WBJ Champions of Health Care 2025: Scannell Laursen has dedicated herself to a human-based approach centered around awareness and advocacy against one of the most dangerous diseases in the world.
The rules outline how marijuana can be legally consumed at events and social settings, authorizing businesses with licenses to let customers use their products on site whether it’s at lounges, dispensaries, or yoga studios.
CCC approves rules for cannabis social consumption businesses
The Cannabis Control Commission unanimously approved regulations governing sites where people could consume marijuana products in social settings but it may take a while for sites to be established.…
wbjournal.com
December 12, 2025 at 6:45 PM
The rules outline how marijuana can be legally consumed at events and social settings, authorizing businesses with licenses to let customers use their products on site whether it’s at lounges, dispensaries, or yoga studios.
“We’re excited to continue expanding across Massachusetts and especially thrilled to join the Worcester community,” Ryan Helfer, area leader of restaurants for Raising Cane’s, said.
Raising Cane’s opening Worcester location next week
The new location is part of a company effort to open 100 new restaurants in 2025.
wbjournal.com
December 12, 2025 at 5:45 PM
“We’re excited to continue expanding across Massachusetts and especially thrilled to join the Worcester community,” Ryan Helfer, area leader of restaurants for Raising Cane’s, said.
The deal coincides with Brazil’s government commitment to invest more than $20 billion in the country’s electricity grid system, Daniel McGahn, AMSC chairman, president and CEO, said.
AMSC expands into Brazil with acquisition worth $133M
Ayer-based energy solutions company AMSC has acquired ️Comtrafo Indústria de Transformadores Elétricos S.A., a Brazilian transformer manufacturer.
wbjournal.com
December 12, 2025 at 5:04 PM
The deal coincides with Brazil’s government commitment to invest more than $20 billion in the country’s electricity grid system, Daniel McGahn, AMSC chairman, president and CEO, said.
WBJ Notable Veteran Executives 2025: Rick Porter’s military experiences provided a strong foundation in leadership, discipline, and strategic planning.
Notable Veteran Executives 2025: Rick Porter
Rick Porter's military experiences provided a strong foundation in leadership, discipline, and strategic planning.
wbjournal.com
December 11, 2025 at 9:40 PM
WBJ Notable Veteran Executives 2025: Rick Porter’s military experiences provided a strong foundation in leadership, discipline, and strategic planning.
2025 WBJ Champions of Health Care: The UMass MIH program resulted in 40% fewer ER visits and 60% fewer admissions for patients who received MIH care.
Champions of Health Care: Mobile Integrated Health reduces ER visits, makes care more accessible
When talking about the MIH program, Broach, Inzerillo, and O’Connor all refer repeatedly back to patient experience, one-on-one care, and argue for integrating MIH into healthcare systems more…
wbjournal.com
December 11, 2025 at 8:25 PM
2025 WBJ Champions of Health Care: The UMass MIH program resulted in 40% fewer ER visits and 60% fewer admissions for patients who received MIH care.
A promising type of cancer care that’s largely been available only in Boston is coming to central Massachusetts.
UMass Memorial Health approved to bring first proton beam to Central Mass.
A promising type of cancer care that's largely been available only in Boston is coming to central Massachusetts.
wbjournal.com
December 11, 2025 at 7:40 PM
A promising type of cancer care that’s largely been available only in Boston is coming to central Massachusetts.
The overwhelming majority of Bay Staters continue to have health insurance coverage, but a new survey highlights nagging challenges in accessing care and affordability woes exacerbated by high-deductible plans.
CHIA: Mass. uninsured rate is far lower than nation's average
The overwhelming majority of Bay Staters continue to have health insurance coverage, but a new survey highlights nagging challenges in accessing care and affordability woes exacerbated by…
wbjournal.com
December 11, 2025 at 6:45 PM
The overwhelming majority of Bay Staters continue to have health insurance coverage, but a new survey highlights nagging challenges in accessing care and affordability woes exacerbated by high-deductible plans.
Marlborough-based Flying Dreams Brewing Co. is set to close its doors at the end of December, making it the latest Central Massachusetts craft brewery to cease operation.
Marlborough brewery to close at end of year
Flying Dreams is the latest Central Massachusetts craft brewery to cease operation.
wbjournal.com
December 11, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Marlborough-based Flying Dreams Brewing Co. is set to close its doors at the end of December, making it the latest Central Massachusetts craft brewery to cease operation.
After two months of unchanged unemployment, Greater Worcester’s seasonally unadjusted unemployment rate dropped 0.4 percentage in September to a rate of 4.6%.
wbjournal.com/article/dela...
wbjournal.com/article/dela...
Delayed September report shows decline in Greater Worcester unemployment, feds cancel October rates release
Greater Worcester has finally received its September unemployment rate, after the federal government shutdown left states unsure whether they would receive their monthly unemployment data at all.
wbjournal.com
December 11, 2025 at 5:16 PM
After two months of unchanged unemployment, Greater Worcester’s seasonally unadjusted unemployment rate dropped 0.4 percentage in September to a rate of 4.6%.
wbjournal.com/article/dela...
wbjournal.com/article/dela...
WBJ 2025 Champions of Health Care: The challenges facing EMTs only make Christopher Hackett all the more important to the space.
Champions of Health Care: Hackett brings honesty, enthusiasm to difficult EMT profession
The challenges facing EMTs only make Christopher Hackett all the more important to the space. While Hackett is humble about his impact, he’s played a critical role in sustaining operations at…
wbjournal.com
December 10, 2025 at 10:35 PM
WBJ 2025 Champions of Health Care: The challenges facing EMTs only make Christopher Hackett all the more important to the space.
WBJ Notable Veteran Executives 2025: Over 30 years ago, Perrone became involved in a grassroots effort to care for homeless veterans.
Notable Veteran Executives 2025: Vincent “Vin” Perrone
Vincent “Vin” Perrone joined the U.S. Air Force because, from a very early age, he had the desire to fly jets and a passion to serve his country.
wbjournal.com
December 10, 2025 at 9:35 PM
WBJ Notable Veteran Executives 2025: Over 30 years ago, Perrone became involved in a grassroots effort to care for homeless veterans.
David McLaren and Jennifer Chase Williams of McLaren & Associates CPAs shares some insights on the impacts of new federal tax rules.
The tax implications of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act
The One Big Beautiful Bill is the latest tax bill aimed at making cash flows better for businesses and encouraging investment in equipment, for example. There are significant changes to […]
wbjournal.com
December 10, 2025 at 7:35 PM
David McLaren and Jennifer Chase Williams of McLaren & Associates CPAs shares some insights on the impacts of new federal tax rules.
The new rate will lead to an average commercial tax bill of $37,602, an increase of $1,395 from fiscal 2025.
Worcester City Council sets 2026 tax rates
Mayor and Councilor-at-Large Joseph Petty said the City’s lower rate increases this year in comparison to cities like Boston and Cambridge will help drive business activity west.
wbjournal.com
December 10, 2025 at 6:30 PM
The new rate will lead to an average commercial tax bill of $37,602, an increase of $1,395 from fiscal 2025.
U.S. News analyzed six patient outcomes and hospital process measures to determine each state’s highest-performing hospitals.
U.S. News: UMass Memorial Medical Center named #1 maternity hospital in Central Mass.
On Tuesday, U.S. News released its 2026 Best Hospitals for Maternity Care for uncomplicated pregnancy, with UMMC being the region’s only hospital to be named amongst the state’s top 10 facilities.
wbjournal.com
December 10, 2025 at 5:45 PM
U.S. News analyzed six patient outcomes and hospital process measures to determine each state’s highest-performing hospitals.
First Tech will now hold $28.7 billion in assets, with 2 million members across 50 branches in eight states.
wbjournal.com/article/merg...
wbjournal.com/article/merg...
Merger between DCU and California credit union finalized, Miyashiro to helm merged firm
The merger between Marlborough-based Digital Federal Credit Union and California-based First Tech Federal Credit Union will go into effect on Jan. 1, after First Tech members voted to approve the […]
wbjournal.com
December 10, 2025 at 5:13 PM
First Tech will now hold $28.7 billion in assets, with 2 million members across 50 branches in eight states.
wbjournal.com/article/merg...
wbjournal.com/article/merg...
WBJ 2025 Champions of Health Care: For the past decade, Kiritsy has been doing exactly that at the West Boylston office: greeting each patient with warmth and respect.
Champions of Health Care: Kiritsy brightens everyone's day
Meridith Kiritsy understands how daunting physical therapy can be for patients. That’s why at Central Mass Physical Therapy & Wellness, she makes it her mission to be an upbeat presence putting…
wbjournal.com
December 9, 2025 at 11:20 PM
WBJ 2025 Champions of Health Care: For the past decade, Kiritsy has been doing exactly that at the West Boylston office: greeting each patient with warmth and respect.
WBJ Notable Veteran Executives 2025: Over the past five and a half years at MassHire Central Region Workforce Board, Mendelsohn has written grant applications generating more than $21 million in awards.
Notable Veteran Executives 2025: Bruce Mendelsohn
Bruce Mendelsohn joined the U.S. Army motivated by his family's history of military service.
wbjournal.com
December 9, 2025 at 10:20 PM
WBJ Notable Veteran Executives 2025: Over the past five and a half years at MassHire Central Region Workforce Board, Mendelsohn has written grant applications generating more than $21 million in awards.
"The first llama I ever met, kissed me. I was at a llama bazaar in Vermont and when I turned around, I got kissed."
Q&A: 350 pounds of excitement at Hubbardston alpaca farm
Founded in 2010, Plain View Farm in Hubbardston is the embodiment of Keith Tetreault’s lifelong love of alpacas and llamas. Each interaction with the animals brought him joy, inspiring him […]
wbjournal.com
December 9, 2025 at 8:45 PM
"The first llama I ever met, kissed me. I was at a llama bazaar in Vermont and when I turned around, I got kissed."
BeneCare Dental Plans, a Pennsylvania-based dental insurance company, is closing its Worcester office and laying off 50 workers at the site, after a company contract with the state was ended prematurely.
wbjournal.com/article/afte...
wbjournal.com/article/afte...
After losing state contract, dental insurance firm to shutter Worcester office
The layoffs come after the state announced in October it would transition back to Wellesley-based DentaQuest as its third-party administrator for dental services.
wbjournal.com
December 9, 2025 at 6:20 PM
BeneCare Dental Plans, a Pennsylvania-based dental insurance company, is closing its Worcester office and laying off 50 workers at the site, after a company contract with the state was ended prematurely.
wbjournal.com/article/afte...
wbjournal.com/article/afte...
The 8,400-square-foot parcel contains what was originally a three-family house built in 1895, according to City of Worcester property records.
Holy Cross buys off-campus student rental house for $2.2M with plans for faculty housing
The property at 50 College St. will remain on the City’s tax rolls, said Holy Cross Director of Public Relations Nicoleta Jordan.
wbjournal.com
December 9, 2025 at 6:15 PM
The 8,400-square-foot parcel contains what was originally a three-family house built in 1895, according to City of Worcester property records.
Instead of searching for Segil’s replacement, the nonprofit opted to close its doors and transition models due to what it refers to as a challenging period for small nonprofits.
Worcester nonprofit to close, transition to legacy fund following leader’s departure
ONE Worcester, a nonprofit offering free consulting and coaching services to fellow Worcester-area nonprofits, is closing as the organization has decided to shift to a legacy fund model.
wbjournal.com
December 9, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Instead of searching for Segil’s replacement, the nonprofit opted to close its doors and transition models due to what it refers to as a challenging period for small nonprofits.
The complex, owned by an entity managed by FPA Multifamily, sold the site at 328 Greenwood St. to an entity managed by Bechara Fren in a transaction finalized on Thursday.
wbjournal.com/article/larg...
wbjournal.com/article/larg...
Large California investment firm sells Worcester apartments to local landlord for $14M
The 72-unit Flats at Merrill Pond apartment complex in Worcester is under new ownership, following its sale for $14 million to a prominent landlord in Central Massachusetts. The complex, owned […]
wbjournal.com
December 9, 2025 at 4:50 PM
The complex, owned by an entity managed by FPA Multifamily, sold the site at 328 Greenwood St. to an entity managed by Bechara Fren in a transaction finalized on Thursday.
wbjournal.com/article/larg...
wbjournal.com/article/larg...
A couple months ago, Margaret Wickens Pearce received a string of calls her phone kept flagging as potential spam. After swatting a number away to voicemail, Pearce finally received a text from someone from the Chicago-based MacArthur Foundation.
Q&A with the MacArthur genius from Clark University
A Citizen Potawatomi Nation tribal member, today she owns Studio 1:1 in Maine, creating maps that highlight Indigenous land: telling stories of travel, collaboration, erased narratives, and…
wbjournal.com
December 8, 2025 at 10:40 PM
A couple months ago, Margaret Wickens Pearce received a string of calls her phone kept flagging as potential spam. After swatting a number away to voicemail, Pearce finally received a text from someone from the Chicago-based MacArthur Foundation.
WBJ 2025 Champions of Health Care: When Shanan Stratis talks about her career in nursing and education, the first word that comes to mind is care.
Champions of Health Care: Stratis brings compassion and innovation to QCC
For nearly three decades, Stratis has built her work around caring for patients, students, and the Greater Worcester community. Today, as assistant dean of healthcare at Quinsigamond Community…
wbjournal.com
December 8, 2025 at 9:45 PM
WBJ 2025 Champions of Health Care: When Shanan Stratis talks about her career in nursing and education, the first word that comes to mind is care.