Blackstone Valley

Christmas tree farms were taken by storm last year, as shoppers jumped at the chance to partake in a relatively safe, outdoor holiday activity. Local farms sold out their stock in a fraction of the time they’d expect in a normal year.

The Town of Millbury received almost $1.2 million from the MassWorks Infrastructure Program for improvements to its downtown, according to a Thursday press release from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development.

An historic mansion in Northbridge sold for $1.35 million in a sale closed Nov. 1, according to the Worcester District Registry of Deeds.

Braintree developing giant Campanelli sold part of its 276-acre Business Park of Uxbridge for $18.5 million, according to the Worcester South District Registry of Deeds.

MJ’s Market, an adult-use cannabis shop in Grafton, officially opened its doors to the public on Oct. 19, and celebrated a grand opening on Friday.

The changing face of retail is having a profound impact on Massachusetts’ real estate and development landscape.

Fueled by communities near I-495 and the Massachusetts Turnpike, the Central Massachusetts region grew 8.1% in population from 2010 to 2020, outpacing both the state (6.0%) and nation (6.5%), according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Decennial Census of Population and Housing.

UniBank, headquartered in Whitinsville, announced the launch of the UniBank Charitable Foundation after a Wednesday event marking the milestone.

A new L.L. Bean outpost slated for The Shoppes at Blackstone Valley in Millbury will open its doors to customers on Friday, Oct. 22, the Maine retailer announced on Tuesday.

Eight women from around Central Massachusetts have earned the honor this year.