Athol

Heywood Healthcare has voluntarily filed for bankruptcy after a challenging year in which its CEO was removed from leadership, a multimillion dollar construction project was stalled, and its planned merger with the largest healthcare system in Central Massachusetts fell through. 

Unemployment rates across Central Massachusetts remained virtually unchanged from July to August, continuing the summer’s trend of low unemployment across the region, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data released on Tuesday by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development.

Blupoint Healthcare has opened a new intake center at its Whitinsville location. The Central Intake Center will streamline the admission process for potential patients seeking respite care, residential care, and rehabilitation services.

The former Baldwinville Elementary School in Templeton will be the site of a 54-unit mixed-income apartment community, the first multifamily project permitted in the town in 25 years.

Local unemployment rates are up approximately half a percentage point across Central Massachusetts labor markets.

The first half of 2023 was a difficult one for home buyers and for real estate agents as single-family home sales cratered and home prices plateaued high above pre-COVID levels.

The local unemployment rate in Central Massachusetts communities remained low in May, including falling further from April figures in the North Worcester County region.

Heywood Healthcare in Gardner is replacing the CEO who has led the hospital system for 12 years, citing the changing healthcare landscape and the need to continue meeting its community's goals.

People are on the move at ERA Key Realty, Cunningham Equities, and more Central Massachusetts businesses.

The Riverbend-Bigelow Schools Project in Athol will receive $1 million in federal funding for 53 units of intergenerational affordable housing.