Central Mass. South

Webster's Mapfre Insurance announced Friday its plans to realign its business strategy and cease operation in five states in order to grow its core operations.

Thanks to a $62,000 grant, the Worcester Community Action Council hopes to develop a program to address poverty from a community health concern, the council announced Wednesday.

Wilson Language Training, Wachusett Community College, Boston Scientific and Provo Wealth Management were among the 10 firms announcing new hires and promotions.

A charging station for electric vehicles has opened at the Framingham service plaza off the Massachusetts Turnpike westbound.

Dudley aerosol manufacturer Shield Packaging, Inc. and two of its executives have agreed to pay nearly $1 million to settle overtime and minimum wage violations and for hindering the Massachusetts Attorney General's investigation.

Two Central Massachusetts affordable sober housing units have received a combined $97,500 for renovations and building new units.

As it has done for the last seven years, the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce is calling for the City Council to adopt a tax rate to help reduce the gap between commercial and residential tax payments.

Reliant Medical Group, Country Bank and E4TheFuture were among the organizations announcing recent hires and promotions.

San Francisco-based delivery service Instacart and Springfield grocery chain Big Y have expanded their partnership to the Worcester and Boston areas.

Thanks to a $1.5-million tax-exempt bond from MassDevelopment, Sturbridge nonprofit advocacy group Venture Community Services has opened a facility in Uxbridge.