Small Business

As Massachusetts regulators map out the state's role in reducing global warming, environmental advocates and electricity generators both urged consideration for how new rules could affect power plant emissions outside state borders.

Any business offering a similar at a lower price will almost always succeed in the marketplace. Sure, mitigating factors like taxes, regulation and global competition can throw a company off-track; but for services inherently local – like health care – quality and efficiency are central to a winning formula.

With venture capitalists largely ignoring Central Massachusetts, the startup industry hopes new services keep companies local.

With more than 110 craft breweries in Massachusetts providing nearly 3,400 jobs between brewing and distributing, the industry in our state is burgeoning.

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection announced Tuesday it has assessed a $21,410 penalty against Rutland AD for violating air pollution regulations at its Jordan Farms Organics Recyclery.

In his State of the Commonwealth address on Tuesday, Gov. Charlie Baker called for a new $4,000 tax credit for businesses that hire unemployed veterans.

Piercing Emporium & Tattoo in Worcester is moving to a new 3,000-square-foot location at 205 Shrewsbury St., according to the owner, Marc Williams.

Worcester's industrial building are 40-percent empty, as landlords can't reconcile costly upgrades with the impact on their tax bill, especially for small manufacturers.

Needing a way to get financing for Greater Worcester's startups and non-traditional borrowers, Timothy Murray at the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce dialed up one of his old contacts from when he was lieutenant governor, who just happened to be a little north of him in the county.

Worcester's restaurants – both the old and the new – have created a palpable buzz, with foodies and chefs from Boston and New York City taking notice. This food renaissance represents not only a big leap forward in branding for city, but it's also helping to spur further economic development with outside investments and an inevitable growth in visitors to the city.