Economy

🔒Q&A: Kathleen Gagne’s legacy of culture & connections at Mechanics Hall

Now preparing for retirement, Kathleen Gagne is grateful for the chance to preserve history while inspiring future generations to engage with music and culture.

🔒Customer financing: Two Central Mass. restaurant groups have found a new way to pay for expansions: direct contributions from customers

Two Central Massachusetts small businesses have turned to alternative, community-based fundraising methods to support their expansion efforts.

🔒Daring to dream: A quarter century after arriving in America, Elmer Melendez is cooking up a restaurant empire

Melendez is the proud owner of four restaurants, with a fifth on the way.

🔒Collaborating through a crisis: More than 50% of Central Mass. ER beds are taken up by mental health patients waiting for treatment

In February, Gov. Maura Healey declared Massachusetts is facing a mental health crisis.

🔒Embracing uncertainty: As the trade war wreaks havoc, Central Mass. manufacturers are urged to save cash and be proactive

The constantly changing tariff landscape is forcing manufacturers to hold off on expansion efforts or big equipment purchases.

Economist: State contraction may have exceeded U.S. GDP dip

The U.S. economy slightly contracted in the first quarter, confirming that both economic weakness and federal revenue uncertainties are ongoing concerns for state budget writers. The size of the contraction in the state economy might have been even larger, according to one local expert.

O’Connor’s reopens following multi-day closure due to staff shortage

Prominent Worcester eatery O’Connor’s Restaurant & Bar reopened on Thursday, after posting on social media on Saturday that it would close temporarily due to staffing shortages.

The Fix, Bocado parent company opening two new Worcester restaurants

Niche Hospitality Group, the Worcester-based restaurant group behind businesses like The Fix Burger Bar and Bocado Tapas Wine Bar, is set to open two new restaurants in the city.

Business leaders highlight potential financial and workplace culture benefits of employee ownership

In addition to having the ability to make employees feel empowered, there are also financial benefits to starting an employee-owned business or converting an existing business.