Blackstone Valley

A three-month WBJ investigation into 75 prominent Central Massachusetts business organizations found women comprise a disproportionately low percentage of senior executives and board seats.

Mass Development has awarded $100,000 in matching manufacturing career grants to 12 Massachusetts partnerships, including three in Central Mass. receiving $28,000 total.

Toys R Us plans to close 182 stores in the U.S., including the Millbury, Northborough, Bellingham and Framingham locations.

Grocery shopping can be a mundane experience, a get-in-and-get-out exercise not exactly stirring up passion. Then there's Whole Foods Market and Market Basket.

These properties – which could host retail, housing, industrial or office complexes, or some mix – are practically hiding in plain sight, simply waiting for the right buyer or builder.

In August, Aubuchon Hardware announced it would cease distribution operations in Westminster, a decision that CEO William Aubuchon, IV admitted was a tough one.

ERA Key Realty Services set an all-time high of home sales last year, with $769 million in sales, the Northbridge agency announced.

Five Worcester County towns have will receive a total of $758,345 after achieving Green Communities designation by the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources.

A federal judge has allowed the government to take control of and sell properties - including the Chameleon and Blackstone Tap buildings in Worcester - owned by Kevin Perry, Jr. a former restaurateur and businessman set to serve at least 14 years in prison for drug and money laundering offenses

Worcester Business Journal's annual Economic Forecast issue gives us a chance to take a step back and reflect on everything that happened in the past year, which we use to predict what will come for the Central Massachusetts business community in 2018.