Brad Kane is the Editor for Worcester Business Journal. Kane came to Worcester from its sister publication Hartford Business Journal, where he most recently served as managing editor. Kane talked his way onto HBJ’s staff in May 2010, previously working as a Boston Globe correspondent and a staff writer for the Patriot Ledger in Quincy. In another journalism life, he covered local politics in northern Ohio and southwest Florida. Kane has been honored for his work by the Alliance of Area Business Publications, the Florida Press Club, Ohio Associated Press and the National Society of Professional Journalists. He graduated from The Ohio State University, with an honor’s degree in journalism. He lives a calm, sleep-filled life in Wilbraham, Mass. with his wife, five young children and Texas heeler. In his 42 minutes of weekly free time, Kane runs the sidewalks, streets and trails of Western Massachusetts.
During an interview on the WBJ Podcast, the executive director of Mechanics Hall in Worcester says the historic venue will reopen at some point, despite closing on June 19 and saying it might not be able to afford to reopen until 2021.
Worcester Business Journal's award ceremony for the 2020 Business Leaders of the Year and the WBJ Hall of Fame will be held virtually, for the first time ever, at 4 p.m. today. Among the winners are manufacturers from Framingham, Devens and Worcester.
Emmanuel Larbi joins the podcast to talk about the exciting new developments in the Canal District around the market, the uniqueness of Ghanaian food, how coronavirus impacted his plans, and how entrepreneurs can play a role in the push for racial justice.
Michael Agbortoko, Jr. founded Soxcessful in Worcester’s Midtown Mall last year, both as a space for creatives and a business linking clients up with manufacturers all over the world.
In the wake of the police killing of unarmed Minneapolis man George Floyd and the subsequent protests against institutional racism, Dr. Mark Johnson from UMass Memorial Health Care said Central Massachusetts business leaders have an important role to play in creating real change.
When hair salons were allowed to reopen on May 25, hair stylist Alexis Ledoux at the NKD Salon in Worcester started rescheduling clients, operating under a strong set of conditions for herself and her customers, and embracing her fears as she slowly builds her business back up to full operating strength.
The much talked about economic and cultural turnaround in Greater Worcester has presented mix results in key metrics, such as population and GDP growth, especially compared to cities of similar size in New England and throughout the country. However, one key economic indicator hit a post-recession high in 2019.
Due to concerns about a potential second surge in coronavirus cases and deaths later this year, Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston has canceled its popular Night Lights holiday event.
In an interview on the WBJ Podcast this week, John Roche, president and CEO of the Hanover Insurance Group in Worcester, said the publicly traded company is well positioned to weather the coming economic recession, as it has diversified and strengthened its revenue streams over the years.