» Marlborough Office Complex Refinanced (posted 11/20/09 at 11:34am)
The Boston office of law firm Holliday Fenoglio Fowler LP has arranged $16 million in refinancing on a Marlborough office complex.
» MassBio Members Get Access To Energy Consultant (posted 11/20/09 at 11:33am)
The Massachusetts Biotechnology Council, a trade association for biotechnology companies in the state, has signed a three-year consortium contract with Boston-based energy management company Source One.
» Startup Acquires Established Home Manufacturer (posted 11/20/09 at 11:31am)
Trudeau Homes International, an Acton-based startup company that formed in July, recently purchased the Acorn Deck House Co., a manufacturer of prefabricated homes, for an undisclosed sum.
» Mass Megawatts Inks $5.8M Contract (posted 11/20/09 at 11:30am)
Worcester-based Mass Megawatts Wind Power Inc. said it has signed a $5.8 million contract with a Pennsylvania-based architecture firm to sell equipment used in wind power projects.
» Local CDCs Benefit From TD Bank Donations (posted 11/20/09 at 11:27am)
The TD Charitable Foundation, the charitable giving arm of TD Bank N.A., recently provided two local community development corporations with grants.
» Route 9 Project To Move Forward With Stimulus Funding (posted 11/19/09 at 2:09pm)
The Boston Regional Metropolitan Planning Organization has approved an estimated $12.5 million repaving project on Route 9 in Natick and Framingham, according to State Rep. David Linsky.
Tuesday, November 24
Building Your Business: Bridging Social Media with E-Marketing for Big Profits
Sponsor: Center for Women & Enterprise
Time: 6 to 8 p.m.
Place: 50 Elm St., 2nd Floor, Worcester
Cost: $30 with pre-registration; $35 at the door
Contact: Rae Glispin, 508-363-2300, rglispin@cweonline.org
Arnold Villatico’s restaurant straddles the Auburn-Oxford town line on Route 20, but he’s thankful he pays his local taxes to Oxford, not Auburn.
Fast fix-ups are back as developers with cash bet on the market
In more than 20 years of property investment, development and management, Jim Grinham, owner of Worcester Realty Development LLC, has seen just about everything.
Can High-Tech Manufacturing Stay In The Bay State?
Conventional wisdom holds that traditional factories are dead in Central Massachusetts, and if the area wants to compete it must look to high-tech manufacturing. But recent developments at two local companies point to the ways that high-tech industries can be just as vulnerable as the rest of the production economy.
Unitil Customers Mull Their Options
Beloved utility company” may be an oxymoron in some circles, but for residents of four North Central Massachusetts towns, grumbling about New Hampshire-based Unitil Corp. is something of an art form.
Massachusetts businesses turn to overseas markets for opportunities
There’s one common piece of advice for businesses thinking about expanding their international footprint, whether they’re planning on increasing exports to China or opening a warehouse in Europe: Do your homework.
The Accidental Lobbyist: Nonprofits Worry Over Ethics Law’s Effects
What’s the line between advocating for an issue and lobbying?
A new state ethics law passed in the wake of legislative scandals last year has the leaders of some local nonprofit groups worried.
10 Things I Know About... On-The-Job Training
10 tips to help you better train your employees on the job.
When Web 2.0 tricks just don't work
Even routine public relations tasks, like distributing press releases, are now being tailored to social media web sites. But in some cases, businesses might be well-served to just say no to the Web 2.0 craze.
Recruitment agencies represent a valuable resource for job-seekers and employers alike, but trying to select a single agency that best fits your needs as an employer can be overwhelming.
SEO isn’t a one-time fix any more
In today’s Internet society web traffic is a must-have. No longer can businesses rely on “newsletter-like” sites that stay static and attract little to no visitors from day-to-day. But how’s a small- or medium-sized business with few resources for marketing supposed to get their traffic up? And why should they care?
Movers & Shakers from the November 23, 2009 Issue
The latest hirings and promotions in Central Mass.
From Hairdressing To Icebergs At McNamara Fabricating
Commuters and others who travel Interstate 290 through Worcester’s south end may have noticed that Polar Beverages’ giant polar bear went missing recently.
Nonprofits Support Community, Economy
The value of nonprofits cannot be overstated. Nonprofit organizations provide countless important and necessary direct services to individuals and families and also serve as an economic engine in our communities.
Credit Unions As Important As Ever
U.S. credit unions are celebrating their centennial year in the midst of gloomy economic times. Many Americans are hurting, and folks are apprehensive about their economic prospects. Credit unions wish this weren’t the case, and they are stepping in to help whenever possible. But the current situation is an important reminder that credit unions themselves were founded from adversity such as this.
Health insurance costs are set to explode once again in early 2010, and we’ve read the horror stories in recent reports about small businesses being hit with increases of as much as 47 percent.
Photo Finish for the November 23, 2009 Issue
Familiar faces from the Central Mass business community.
UMass Law School Moving Forward
A proposal to create a law program at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth has received approval from the UMass Board of Trustees Committee on Academic and Student Affairs.
Contents Of The November 23, 2009 Issue Of The WBJ
Check out the November 23, 2009 Issue of the WBJ.
Briefing: Mass. Readiness Centers
Gov. Deval Patrick recently launched six regional readiness centers across the state. The readiness centers, which were first announced back in October, are a component to Patrick’s Education Action Agenda. They are intended to improve the quality of teaching while also bridging the achievement gap that exists throughout the state.
Shop Talk: Q&A With Richard Collins, United Bank
Richard Collins, president of United Bank, talks about the soon-to-be-complete acquisition of Commonwealth National Bank.
Wood Pellet System To Save Anna Maria 15% On Heating
When the Sisters of Saint Anne founded Anna Maria College in 1946, they took great care and concern for the environment and the 196 acres the college sits on in Paxton. College President Jack Calareso said he’s continuing that tradition by converting about 90 percent of the college’s heating to an energy-efficient biomass wood-pellet system.
New Loan Center, New Opportunities
Bay State Savings Bank hopes to better serve the local community and change the public’s opinion of the banking industry with a brand new loan center in downtown Worcester.
State Board Ruling Shakes Up Mass. Solar Industry
A legal interpretation by an obscure state board has put solar installation companies in the Bay State on the defensive and has prompted them to look for a legislative remedy.