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» GTC Biothereaputics To Be Delisted From Nasdaq (posted 03/12/10 at 11:36am)
Framingham biotechnology company GTC Biotherapeutics expects to be delisted from the stock exchange next week after posting a $27.9 million loss for 2009.
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» SeaChange International Posts Lower Profits (posted 03/12/10 at 11:34am)
SeaChange International of Acton posted a $1.3 million profit for 2009, a drop from the $10.0 million profit the company posted a year earlier.
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» Mass MegaWatts Narrows Losses (posted 03/12/10 at 11:33am)
Mass MegaWatts Wind Power Inc., the Worcester wind turbine company, lost $96,935 in the company's most recent fiscal quarter.
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» Medical School Leads UMass Research Spending (posted 03/12/10 at 11:32am)
Research spending at the University of Massachusetts reached new highs in 2009, increasing 12 percent from a year earlier to total $489.1 million, the school reported.
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» Retail Sales Creep Up Nationwide (posted 03/12/10 at 11:31am)
Retail sales across the country picked up by about 0.3 percent in February compared to a month earlier and were up almost 4 percent from the same month last year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
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» State Struggles To Lower Jobless Rate (posted 03/11/10 at 11:07am)
In all of the state's 22 labor markets, unemployment rates increased in January compared to the previous month and January 2009, the state Office of Labor and Workforce Development said.
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There is no one panacea to making Framingham’s downtown the cultural and civic hub town officials and local business owners want it to be. But last month the Board of Selectmen allocated about $7 million to replace the roundabout, improve the streetscapes and ease traffic flow.
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In Massachusetts, according to a new report by the FDIC, 95.9 percent of households have a checking or savings account. That number is significantly higher than the national average of 92.3 percent, thanks in part to the efforts of the state’s banks and community organizations to help more people get accounts.
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Getting Organized In Westborough Leads To Growth
The folks at Systematics Inc. in Westborough were pretty excited the day I visited. They had just finalized a merger agreement with National Office Systems Inc. (NOS) of Maryland, more than doubling the company’s size and moving it into markets where opportunity abounds.
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Contents Of The March 15, 2010 Issue Of The WBJ
Check out the March 15, 2010 Issue of the WBJ.
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Shop Talk: Q&A With Chuck Edwards, Lenze Americas
Chuck Edwards, president of Lenze Americas, talks about his company's success through the recession and adapting to cultural differences.
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Events
Friday, March 19
Managing Employees During a Lackluster Economy (and Dealing with Grumpy People)
Sponsor: Assabet Valley Chamber of Commerce/Avidia Bank
Time: 8 to 9:30 am.
Place: Avidia Bank, 42 Main St., Hudson
Cost: $25 members; $40 non-members
Contact: Assabet Valley Chamber of Commerce, 978-568-0360
Inside the Worcester Business Journal
Patrick Targets Health Care Cost Increases
Should health care providers be regulated like utilities?
When Gov. Deval Patrick announced emergency changes to the way health insurance companies report rate increases to the state, neither the state’s health insurers nor hospitals and doctors were happy.
Framingham moves ahead with plans to revamp traffic patterns downtown in hopes of revitalizing business
There is no one panacea to making Framingham’s downtown the cultural and civic hub town officials and local business owners want it to be. But last month the Board of Selectmen allocated about $7 million to replace the roundabout, improve the streetscapes and ease traffic flow.
If You Build It, Will They Come?
High hopes for a high tech park in Leominster
When you think of life science and high tech hubs in Massachusetts, a few communities come to mind. Cambridge certainly. Devens, probably. Maybe some MetroWest towns like Framingham and Natick. If you’re from Central Massachusetts, Worcester is likely to be high on the list.
Education and outreach critical to reaching people without checking, savings accounts
In Massachusetts, according to a new report by the FDIC, 95.9 percent of households have a checking or savings account. That number is significantly higher than the national average of 92.3 percent, thanks in part to the efforts of the state’s banks and community organizations to help more people get accounts.
Grafton Suburban Looks To Expand Territory
Credit union wants to draw members from all of Middlesex County
Grafton Suburban Credit Union, an institution with about $114 million in assets and more than 11,000 members, is asking the state Division of Banks to allow it to draw members from all of Middlesex County, instead of the small 11-town region surrounding Grafton.
Convenience Stores Take A Swipe At Interchange Fees
When customers pull up to one of Leo Vercollone’s two dozen gas stations across Massachusetts and use a credit card, it may be convenient for the customer, but it equates to money out of Vercollone’s margin.
Revolving Door: As Local Banking Market Shifts, So Does The Workforce
When Deborah Larsen left her former post at a local Bank of America office to become senior vice president of commercial banking at Whitinsville-based UniBank for Savings last March, she said it was a bit of a culture shock.
Local banks not interested in fed loans
Small businesses created 64 percent of the net new jobs added to the country’s economy over the past 15 years, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration. And, since the 2008 financial meltdown, community banks have earned a reputation for responsible lending that contrasts with the more “creative” practices of larger financial institutions.
Leominster Credit Union wants to open a branch office at 137 Shrewsbury St. in Worcester.
Software Firm With Concord, Maynard Locations Eyes Move
French company Dassault Systèmes, along with DS SolidWorks Corp., its Concord-based subsidiary, is looking for space to consolidate three of its Massachusetts offices, including those in Concord, Maynard and Lowell.
French company injects cash to keep research going in Framingham
GTC’s main product, ATryn, has already been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for marketing in the United States.
Natick Collection Owner Receives Third Offer
Two offers to help General Growth Properties get out of bankruptcy just wasn’t enough.
Does your audience have glassy eyes? Here’s some advice for getting their attention.
We’ve all been there. The lights are dim, the screen is covered with dense black text. The speaker drones on wielding his laser pointer like a light saber, and you’re too busy planning out your grocery list to absorb any of the information. That scene plays out every day in conference facilities, board rooms and offices across the United States and the globe. So what’s to blame for all these boring presentations? I’ve got one word for you: PowerPoint.
Getting Organized In Westborough Leads To Growth
Systematics Inc. can get 10 pounds of stuff into a 5 pound bag
The folks at Systematics Inc. in Westborough were pretty excited the day I visited. They had just finalized a merger agreement with National Office Systems Inc. (NOS) of Maryland, more than doubling the company’s size and moving it into markets where opportunity abounds.
Dunkin’ Donuts franchise owners form PAC
In 2004, the state passed a law that kept restaurant staff with managerial responsibilities from being part of any tip pool. According to Jim Coen, president of Bellingham-based Dunkin’ Donuts Independent Franchise Owners Inc., it was a good idea, but the specific legal language has caused problems for his members.
Movers & Shakers from the March 15, 2010 Issue
The latest hirings and promotions in Central Mass.
Want positive press? Keep three words in mind: Trends, Issues and Concerns
When the news is bad or public safety is at risk, it’s usually not a problem to get media coverage whether you like it or not. Getting good media coverage for your business is a bit more challenging if you’re not prepared or don’t have the skills to navigate through the media.
In business today, it is critical that companies find ways to keep their employees motivated and feeling involved. Employee engagement is at the core of any successful business, helping it to grow and compete.
Opposing Views On Sheet Metal Regs
New regulations in Massachusetts recently have been implemented requiring licensing of sheet metal workers. The law has both sides of the issue talking.
In an effort to close loopholes and bring a public retirement system rife with abuse and calculated manipulation into line with the state’s present economic priorities, Deval Patrick and the state legislature last year tightened the rules governing state pensions.
Photo Finish From The March 15, 2010 Issue Of The WBJ
Familiar faces from the Central Mass business community.
Contents Of The March 15, 2010 Issue Of The WBJ
Check out the March 15, 2010 Issue of the WBJ.