Retail

Despite the prime location, the city has had trouble leasing about 8,000-square-feet of unused commercial space in Union Station despite a comprehensive redevelopment effort.

With investment pumping into developments all over the city, people throughout Massachusetts are talking about Worcester. Yet, the public investment largely spurring this revitalization has been maligned.

Immigrants in Worcester are more likely than native citizens to start their own business and have bachelor's degrees, giving them a disproportionate share of the economy.

Two laboratories have been approved by the Cannabis Control Commission to begin testing marijuana, another milestone in the soon-to-come legal recreational marijuana retail market.

Framingham brewery Jack's Abby Craft Lagers is now one of dozens of corporate sponsors for the Worcester Railers Hockey Club.

Massachusetts regulators want to keep a close eye on the types of marijuana products that will be for sale to adults once marijuana retailers open and whether those products might appeal to children.

Seven entities in Central Massachusetts have received a share of $2.2 million in state grants to help spur entrepreneurship and small businesses.

The architecture firm that designed improvements to Fenway Park is the frontrunner to design the $90-million ballpark structure for the Worcester Red Sox.

The mixed-use Harding Green project has received a boost as the Worcester was granted $400,000 for streetscape improvements in the area around the development.

Marijuana regulators could issue another six so-called final licenses for marijuana businesses, but the retailers who have already been given final approval still have not pinned down when they will open to customers.