Central Mass. South

Power dynamics in the Central Massachusetts business community made two major shifts in 2021, due to the two major events upending the entire global community.

Primerica, Inc., a Georgia-based financial-services company with several outposts in Central Mass., including Oxford and Millbury, plans to acquire 80% of Florida firm e-TeleQuote Limited, a senior health insurance distributor of Medicare-related insurance policies for $600 million.

People are on the move at Community Harvest Project, Nichols College, Country Bank and more.

Webster Five Cents Savings bank has hired Kathryn Megraw as senior vice president and chief information officer, the Central Mass. South financial institution announced on Wednesday.

The Gov. Charlie Baker Administration has awarded $1.1 million to Central Massachusetts municipalities and nonprofits as part of a new Regional Pilot Project Grant Program aimed at helping bolster economic recovery by supporting uniquely regional challenges, according to a Thursday announcement. 

The Clam Box, a landmark restaurant on Route 9 in Brookfield, now owns the land where it had long leased. Tim Dugas and his wife, Cynthia, bought the site at 53 S. Maple St. in an auction April 12 for $310,000.

The Massachusetts Health Policy Commission will not conduct a detailed review of market costs for a proposed merger between UMass Memorial Health and Harrington Hospital, based on preliminary findings the deal isn't likely to lead to additional costs for patients.

When Nichols College launched a fundraising campaign in 2015, it set a goal of $45 million. It surpassed that in just two years, and six years later, the campaign is wrapping up with a total of $66 million.

Valentin Gapontsev, founder of Oxford laser manufacturer IPG Photonics, is worth $2.8 billion, according to the 2021 Forbes billionaire list, which circulated last week.

People are on the move at Summit ElderCare, Cornerstone Bank, Quinsigamond Community College and more.