North County

The holding company of Oxford-based bankHometown, has reached an agreement to merge with North Shore Bancorp.

Angered over the serious financial challenges at Steward Health Care that could jeopardize the future of safety net hospitals in eastern Massachusetts, top House Democrats insisted Thursday they will not bail out the company.

In the wake of a survey showing manufacturing companies are losing confidence in the state’s current business climate, the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce has launched the Manufacturing Council of North Central Massachusetts in an effort to enhance the organization’s support of the industry.

Northbridge Partners continues to expand its portfolio of properties in Central Massachusetts.

The situation in Central Massachusetts, where 15.6% of named executive officers are female, largely mirrors the Massachusetts rate of 16.1% determined in a statewide census.

Cheney was one of several small business owners who told WBJ in December the combined forces of lower consumer spending and higher costs were threatening the future of small businesses in Central Massachusetts. 

The bulk of the $5.05 million in federal funds were a result of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which was signed into law by President Joe Biden in November 2021. 

All four metropolitan areas of Central Massachusetts saw significant jumps in their unemployment rates in December.

Overall, Central Massachusetts LEED-certified buildings contributed 1.4 million square feet to Massachusetts’ total, amounting to 6% of the state’s green building square footage. 

The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts awarded four grants totaling $1 million to area nonprofits in order to improve child mental health, access for children to affordable health care, food delivery for people in need, and child care businesses.