Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | November 22, 2021 | Worcester Business Journal 5 B R I E FS QCC first-year enrollment spikes 9%, reflecting pandemic resilience Quinsigamond Community College in Worcester is the only community college in the state whose fresh- man enrollment rate in 2021 did not fall from 2019. It had a 0% change over the two years impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, according to the 2021 early en- rollment report released by the Massachusetts Depart- ment of Higher Education. From 2020 to 2021, QCC had a 9% increase in freshman enrollment, the fourth greatest increase of the Mass. community colleges aer Bunker Hill's 46%, Berkshire's 11%, and Massasoit's 10%. e college had the third highest total enrollment at 6,900, the same as last year's total enrollment and a 5% decrease from 2019. Since the coronavirus pandemic struck, QCC has seen the third smallest drop in total enrollment among the 15 community colleges. Knott family sells Northbridge mansion to Google engineer An historic mansion in Northbridge sold for $1.35 million in a sale closed Nov. 1, according to the Worces- ter District Registry of Deeds. e mansion, known as Lasell Manor, is located at 120 Hill St. e 89-room home was built by Chester Whitin Lasell in 1890, who served as president of Whitin Machine Works from 1887 to 1932, according to the Northbridge Historical Society. e mansion was sold by the family behind North- bridge wire manufacturer Riverdale Mills Corp., including the estate of its founder, James Knott Sr., who died in 2018, and his son, James Knott Jr., who serves as the company's CEO. e property was purchased by Clarence Risher, a soware engineer at Google. Charlton voters approve $12M tax break for $300M Amazon center At a special town meeting Nov. 15, Charlton voters 269-86 approved a tax-increment-financing agreement for Amazon to construct a distribution center, Town Administrator Andrew Golas confirmed. e Seattle-based e-commerce giant requested Charl- ton consider a TIF "due to the considerable amount of local investment and economic opportunity provided by the project," according to Charlton's website. e project is expected to include a $300-million investment and create 1,000 jobs. e TIF will start off exempting 55% in the first two years, and decrease to 10% by the end of the 10-year agreement, projecting to save Amazon about $11.6 million over the 10 years. 05.11.22 The Virtual (Un)gala for Youth Mental Health THANK YOU SPONSORS! Dinner at the AC Marriott to Honor Ed Manzi, our Founding Board Chair, & Celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month SAVE THE DATE R a d i a n t L u m i n o u s B r i l l i a n t G l e a m i n g American Foundation for Suicide 3reYention Gelinas & Ward IC Federal Credit Union Leadership Dynamics Coghlin Electrical Contractors Maugel Architects Open Sky Community SerYices SederLaw St -ohn4s High School Wolf & Company See you on: I n - K i n d Scan here to see the event's performances, speakers, & surprise guests! Youth mental health was declared a National State of Emergency. Please DONATE NOW: Thank you! PHOTO/COURTESY OF QUINSIGAMOND COMMUNITY COLLEGE W

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