Greater Worcester

House Speaker Ron Mariano offered more evidence Thursday that lawmakers are eyeing ways to support the state's stretched-thin early education and child care workforce and to wrangle sky-high costs that continue to burden families.

In 2016, Hernandez opened GEM Marketing Solutions and has solidified a stable roster of clients in and around the city. Her small business offers help with getting businesses an online presence, website design, and social media marketing.

Employees are on the move at Akoya Biosciences, Milford Regional Medical Center, and MutualOne Bank, with new hires joining operations and promotions happening within organizations.

Groton Hill is the largest arts and culture nonprofit in Central Massachusetts, with more than $181 million in assets, according to its 2021 filing with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.

As the Southeast Asian Coalition settles into new digs, its executive director arrives with big ambitions for its role in the community.

Worcester County’s population grew slightly between July 2021 and July 2022, while the state lost 7,716 residents, according to data released Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Brandt Lane Development, LLC of Holden purchased 17.7 acres of undeveloped land at 1029 Grafton St. in Worcester, across the street from Roosevelt Elementary School, for $4.3 million.

Wormtown Brewery has a new project: SHOOK. The Worcester brewery announced its new line of alcoholic beverages on Thursday. 

A Springfield developer is proposing a new 2,398-square-foot Starbucks store at 105-117 Stafford St. in Worcester with a drive through, which could be the seventh location in the city for the Seattle-based coffee chain.

The Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts found the eight schools it represents in Central Massachusetts account for $3.8 billion in economic impact and 18,800 jobs.