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Financial strains and the need to curb services will impact the industry’s operations for the foreseeable future.

Real estate remains an economic driver of the region, so expect the debate over the impact of growth to intensify in 2024.

In December 2022, the WBJ Editorial staff made 10 bold predictions for news events to happen in Central Massachusetts throughout the year. Turns out, we missed the mark on all but two.

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.

Looking into 2024, it appears more Central Massachusetts business leaders are feeling positive about the economy than they have in the recent past.

Let’s face it: We’ve all been shaking off a collective funk since 2020. Heading into 2024, things seem better.

Heywood Healthcare and its general contractor, Consigli Construction, are facing a number of lawsuits over the unfinished work at the $29-million surgical pavilion in Gardner.

Mallory Stanton launched her vintage decor and furniture business – first on Instagram and then with an Etsy store.

Few businesses can withstand the loss of a quarter of their customer bases, and the trend experienced by the local colleges mirrors a national drop in enrollment.

Supporting local and small businesses is crucial to a healthy economy and a symbiotic community. We have the collective power to sustain other businesses in our region, help them offset rising taxes and rental costs, and keep their lights on.