Greater Worcester

Foreclosure starts in Central Massachusetts have dropped off, bringing an end to months of increases and improving more than the state as a whole.

Worcester's schools have topped the Princeton Review's 2017 list, taking top honors in categories including most accessible professors, tree-hugging vegetarians, best career services, and most politically apathetic students.

The culmination of a five year long, $1.36 million robot competition will end in one final meeting this September at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

United Bank has added Kevin Peterssen to its commercial lending team in Worcester.

The 102-year-old, family owned Worcester company Barrows Hardware is set to break ground on a 6,300 square foot expansion tomorrow.

The $10.5-million John and Diane Kim Autism Institute, opening next month, will house research, professional development and technology for the New England Center for Children, allowing it to continue to train its workforce, improve its technology and develop best practices.

With the new federal overtime pay rule set to take effect Dec. 1, Central Massachusetts businesses are educating themselves, planning changes – and offering opinions.

Who made the cut? See which young professionals are making a difference now and into the future for the Central Massachusetts business community.

In her role at the SMG-managed DCU Center, Amy Peterson oversaw the marketing for the $31-million renovation to the arena until its 2013 completion and now supervises all aspects of brand management for the 14,000-seat facility.

All but two of the acute-care hospitals in Central Massachusetts were profitable last year, pushing the overall margin for the region to fourth best out of the seven regions in the state.