Gardner

Every December for this Economic Forecast special edition, the journalists in the WBJ newsroom forecast 10 possible news events for the coming year, based on their expertise and the trends in the Central Massachusetts business community.

After years of declines, enrollment picked up significantly in the fall semester for Worcester State University and both Central Massachusetts community colleges.

“I’ve never been as worried about health care as I am right now."

Enrollment has hit a 10-year low at all five of the state universities and community colleges in Central Massachusetts, with a considerable drop between fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2023.

Dozens of Central Massachusetts nonprofits have received funds ranging from $5,000 to $30,000, as part of the Worcester-based Reliant Foundation’s 2023 community grants.

Heywood Urgent Care and parent company Heywood Healthcare, which has filed for bankruptcy, are dialing back urgent care offerings at the 266 Main St. location in Gardner. Starting in December, the office will no longer accept same-day walk-in patients for the general public.

The North Central Massachusetts Development Corp. is creating new funding opportunities for real estate developers.

The lawsuit against Consigli was filed in Worcester County Superior Court on Monday by Structures Unlimited, a New Hampshire-based company specializing in the construction and installation of skylights. 

The healthcare landscape in North Central Massachusetts faces detriments in prenatal care and median distance to hospitals with comprehensive services, according to two state reports.

Gardner optical manufacturer Precision Optics reported a low revenue quarter for the first of its fiscal 2024, which ended Sept. 30. Revenue for the quarter was down 15%, which the company attributed to purchaser reaction to a righting of the supply chain.