Central Mass. South

Worcester and Framingham, the two most populous Central Massachusetts communities, along with four others have made a new state advisory list of communities at elevated risk for coronavirus infections.

The recession has erased roughly 24 years of job growth in the Worcester area. Some neighborhoods, particularly in Worcester and Fitchburg have been hit especially hard, with unemployment rates estimated at 30% or more.

The senior business lending office for Webster Five bank joins The Weekly Business Report to discuss the bank's backing of the Broadway Hospitality Group's two-story, rooftop restaurant.

Southbridge musical instrument manufacturer SJC Drums, which counts Imagine Dragons among its clients, has moved to a new building on Worcester Street in Southbridge, co-founder Mike Ciprari said Monday morning.

Galaxy Life Sciences, a sister company to the developer of the Trolley Yard retail complex in Worcester, on Friday evening announced plans to spend at least $50 million to develop a biomanufacturing facility at the 46-acre Worcester life sciences campus The Reactory.

Harrington Hospital in Southbridge is allowing emergency department patients to check in online from home and wait until it's their turn to be seen, in an effort to aid social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic.

Oxford laser manufacturer IPG Photonics reported a $67-million drop in revenue in the quarter ending in June, continuing financial struggles for the company predating the coronavirus pandemic.

Melody L. Beach Consulting Group, a human resources services company in Southbridge, announced it has acquired Dube Consulting of Newport, N.C. in a sale closed on Friday. 

Nichols College, which expects to welcome students for the fall semester starting Aug. 26, said Friday it will provide free regular coronavirus testing for students, faculty and staff.

Harrington Hospital's Southbridge and Webster campuses have been recognized for their stroke care by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.