Ashland

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, a nonprofit addressing inequities on a global scale, has extended its reach to Central Massachusetts, awarding Ashland-based BioSurfaces a $2.06 million grant.

The Starbucks at the site opened in July following its construction, with the Seattle-based firm committing to a 10-year lease.

Ohio-based Big Lots has filed for voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

While Beacon Hill searches for solutions to the serious housing shortage that fuels affordability concerns in Massachusetts, a real estate industry organization wants to see the Community Preservation Act program retrofitted to put a greater emphasis on housing production.

Precisionary Instruments purchased a 12,000-square-foot flex unit in Ashland to relocate its headquarters from Natick.

The directory is a list of organizations with a location in Central Massachusetts that support the life sciences industry, including contract research organizations, contract development and manufacturing organizations, and companies providing custom products, technologies, or other services.

Natick software developer MathWorks donated $2.5 million to build a new regional YMCA in Ashland.

Developers have proposed a mixed-use development at an Ashland shopping plaza anchored by a Shaw’s supermarket at 301 Pond St.

As construction for a new public-safety building nears completion in Ashland, the Town is seeking proposals to fill its soon-to-be-vacant fire station at 151 Main St. with what it hopes will become a draw for residents and visitors.

Baystone Development of Weston, purchased a property at 100 Chestnut St. in Ashland for $4.2 million. The property was approved in October by the Town of Ashland for a mixed-use development.