Manufacturing

Cannabis is coming to Southbridge, but with a decidedly veterans-focused approach.

The U.S. Small Business Administration announced on Friday the Paycheck Protection Program would re-open on Jan. 11 to new borrowers and certain previous recipients who want to apply for a second coronavirus relief loan.

Westborough’s Kopin Corp., a manufacturer of wearable technology, has announced a partnership with Jade Bird Display, of Shanghai, China, to develop super bright monochrome LED microdisplays.

In the midst of a pro-Trump mob’s riot at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, the National Association of Manufacturers released a statement condemning the attack, and urging Vice President Mike Pence to invoke the Constitution’s 25th Amendment, which allows for the vice president and cabinet members to remove presidential powers from Donald Trump and place the vice president in charge of the nation.

In the waning moments of the legislative session early Wednesday morning, the House and Senate came together to pass a bill that would make it easier for craft brewers to sever their contracts with their distributor if they feel their product is not being properly marketed.

Industrial Packaging of Webster has been designated as the first U.S.-based company to achieve pandemic preparedness certification through AIB International, a food supply chain support group based in Kansas.

The Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership, known more commonly as MassMEP, in December named Kimberley Ingalls as its new center director in Worcester.

Nominations are open for WBJ's Business Leaders of the Year and Hall of Fame awards, both of which aim to honor those Central Mass. individuals who have made names for themselves in their industries and communities.

When Gov. Charlie Baker sprung a massive $668 million small business relief grant program on Massachusetts last week, he seemed sure about its potential but was vague about its funding sources, saying the plan hinged on flexibility in allocating federal funds that have poured into the state in the form of COVID-19 aid.

It's no secret that 2020 was a historic year. From the coronavirus pandemic, to a rapidly fluctuating economy, and even a presidential election, there were no shortage of significant news stories. Here are WBJ's top 10 most read stories of the year.