Eric Casey

Eric Casey covers manufacturing and real estate for the Worcester Business Journal. He previously ran Burn After Reading, an online publication focusing on the cannabis industry. He has also formerly had freelance work published in outlets including Worcester Magazine and Different Leaf Magazine. Eric is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island, where he studied history and political science. He grew up in Marlborough and is currently a resident of Worcester.

Manufacturing

Inc. magazine names 17 Central Mass. companies among annual list of fastest-growing businesses

Inc. magazine’s 2025 list of the fastest-growing companies includes 17 Central Massachusetts businesses, with a Worcester-based company leading the local pack with its first-ever appearance on the list.

Banking & Finance

Chip Norton, owner of Mercantile Center, files for bankruptcy amid lawsuits, $70M in debt

Norton’s use of personal guaranties for business dealings potentially throws the future of key Downtown Worcester properties into question.

Economy

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.

Hospitality

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.

Banking & Finance

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.

Education

Central Mass. schools granted $6.6M to train adults for high-demand professions

A total of 680 adult learners will benefit from a combined $6.6 million in funding from the Massachusetts state government, seeking to boost training in high-demand occupations within the trades, construction, and manufacturing sectors.

Energy

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 board as an independent member.

Nonprofits