Shrewsbury

Two decades ago, Kevin O'Sullivan worked with a small biotech company named Valeritas in his Worcester incubator Massachusetts Biomedical Initiatives on what felt like groundbreaking technology at a time – a wearable insulin-dispensing device for Type 2 diabetes.

Worcester's industrial building are 40-percent empty, as landlords can't reconcile costly upgrades with the impact on their tax bill, especially for small manufacturers.

Veteran bartender and beverage consultant Ryan Goodspeed has advised cruise ships, Fortune 500 companies, restaurants and others on their drink programs. Now, the Central Massachusetts native is back at home and has been tasked with amplifying the bar program at Sweet Kitchen & Bar on Shrewsbury Street.

As a further sign in the growing demand for Central Mass. real estate, more MetroWest and Boston companies are reaching out to local cultural institutions to provide employees with area benefits.

The region's latest Movers & Shakers.

Greater Boston Commercial Properties of Northborough announced four leasing deals totaling more than 25,000 square feet and the procurement for a direct buyer of a 38,000 square foot building, all in MetroWest.

The owner of an independent baked goods distributor that recently relocated to the former Nissen Baking Co. plant Worcester said he sees potential to expand.

Navani is at the helm of one of the fastest-growing companies in MetroWest.

Home sales throughout MetroWest slipped in October, following a statewide trend that marked only the second time this year that sales did not grow over the previous year's numbers, according to The Warren Group.

Marijuana may soon be legal in Massachusetts, but industry officials warn of regulatory & local fights before the Green Rush hits the Bay State.