Blackstone Valley

More than half (51%) of WBJ readers believe the U.S. economy will decline in the second half of this year.

A federal judge had ordered the Trump Administration to stop its attempts to shutter Job Corps centers across the country, including in Grafton and Devens. 

A third-generation roofer based in Fitchburg, Cochran earned his MBA from Fitchburg State University and turned the family trade into a business with locations in Massachusetts, Florida, and Connecticut. He now hopes to pass the tradition on to his son, continuing the legacy into a fourth generation.

“These are people's lives they're playing with, and it's horrible,” Hebert said of the Trump Administration’s decision to unilaterally shutter all contract-run Job Centers across the country.

Supporters of the centers say closing them will undermine workforce readiness and leave nearly 500 residential students at the sites without a clear future. 

The first five months of 2025 have been a wild ride for the economy. How has your outlook changed for the rest of the year?

“Power is the ability to get people to listen to you, even when you're mostly just talking about beer.” - Sam Hendler, Hendler Family Brewing

Story by Tim Garvin, president & CEO of United Way of Central Massachusetts

Story by Julie Bowditch, executive director of CASA Project Worcester County

The Power 100 edition is an annual report on how power is shared and expended in Central Massachusetts each year, as told through the 100 people who are most effectively wielding their influence, with a special focus on those creating change and bringing new ideas to the forefront.