Small Business

When it comes to main streets in Central Massachusetts, town officials uniformly agree: A healthy main street is where foot traffic is king.

It has never been easier for businesses and jobs to flee Massachusetts in droves and the House and Senate should think long and hard about that possibility before considering new or higher taxes on companies, some of the most influential industry groups this week warned Democratic leaders.

Management behind Fitchburg’s 50/50 Diner received a $50,000 loan from the North Central Massachusetts Development Corp., the economic development arm of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, the agency announced on Wednesday.

New measures from the Baker administration to ensure diversity in state contracting include legislation that would elevate the profile of a state office and charge it with holding agencies accountable.

In an effort to prevent the shutdown of the Massachusetts economy and schools in the face of rising coronavirus case numbers, Gov. Charlie Baker announced a series of new COVID-19 regulations for Massachusetts during a Monday press conference, including forcing a number of businesses to close at 9:30 p.m. each day.

Worcester software startup Blustream has raised $3 million in funding to back its product experience platform, the company announced in October.

Voting is now open for WBJ’s 2021 Best of Business awards, which aim to highlight the Central Massachusetts business communities favorite businesses and professionals in nearly 50 categories.

A group of panelists will join Worcester Business Journal on Wednesday for the next in the "Coping with COVID-19" webinar series, this time for a discussion about pivoting business operations during a pandemic on Wednesday.

Indoor performances and recreational activities such as laser tag can resume next week in Massachusetts communities with lower COVID-19 transmission rates, and many businesses will also be permitted to increase their capacities, Gov. Charlie Baker announced Tuesday.

Wednesday marks the deadline for manufacturers and other businesses to apply for the U.S. Small Business Administration’s State Trade Expansion Program grant program, the federal agency announced on Monday.