Worcester Business Journal

6 Worcester Business Journal | February 21, 2022 | wbjournal.com Even with all the current changes, Commercial Financing can still flow smoothly. For lenders or borrowers, it's not always easy to steer through commercial lending options and opportunities. Whether you're a private entity, public company, financial institution, or nonprofit organization, our senior level team offers experience that ensures consistency, cost efficiency, and proven reliability. All of which can help you better navigate changing times. Real Knowledge in Real Time COMMERCIAL LENDING | LOAN RESTRUCTURE REAL ESTATE, INDUSTRIAL, CONSTRUCTION, EQUIPMENT FINANCING SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (SBA) FINANCING Anthony Salvidio, Esq. 508.459.8004 Karen LaFond, Esq. 508.459.8015 FletcherTilton.com W O R C E S T E R | F R A M I N G H A M | B O S T O N | C A P E C O D W O R C E S T E R • F R A M I N G H A M • B O S TO N • C A P E C O D • P R O V I D E N C E B R I E FS T H E T I C K E R 40 Acres purchased by Tree House Brewing Co. owners in a lot adjacent to their Charlton headquarters. Source: Worcester South District Registry of Deeds 280,000 Source: Ameresco Portion of Central Massachusetts adults who needed behavioral health care during the pandemic's first year 23% Source: Massachusetts Health Survey facilitated by the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation $3.5M Source: Massachusetts U.S. Attorney's Office Smart streetlights Framingham energy firm Ameresco, Inc. installed as part of a light modernization in Chicago Amount a former Worcester temp agency manager Tam Vuong is ordered to pay in restitution after pleading guilty to wire fraud and failure to pay over taxes Compass Tavern closes as Railers owner starts $500K renovations e Compass Tavern, a bar and nightclub in Worcester's Canal District, closed Feb. 13, and renovations for a family-style restaurant have begun, said Eric Lindquist, a spokesperson for the project. Cliff Rucker, who owns Worcester's hockey team the Railers, has taken over ownership of the eatery, where he envi- sions a more family-style restaurant with American fare and an outdoor patio. e new business will be called e District Wood Fired Kitchen. e planned remodel is estimated to cost around $500,000 and be completed by the Worcester Red Sox' opening day at Polar Park on April 12. Rucker also owns Off e Rails, a restaurant located between the Palladi- um and the DCU Center which is also undergoing construction for a country music venue slated to open around the same time as the new restaurant. Chris Besaw and Rick Araujo are involved as managing partners at both Off e Rails and the new District Wood Fired Kitchen. e Compass Tavern was owned by David Domenick for seven years. Central Mass. business confidence falls, still above state average Business confidence across Central Massachusetts dropped slightly in January, but remains above the state average, according to the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Massachusetts. e region's Business Confidence Index, which is rated on a 100-point scale, was 57.5 in January, down from 59.8 the previous month. January's mark was 1.6 points higher than the statewide reading of 55.9. Massachusetts as a whole has seen declining business confidence since a 65.6 peak in July. "Employers face a multitude of uncertainties at the start of 2022, ranging from pandemic-induced absences among employees to rising prices for raw materials," said Sara Johnson, chair of the AIM Board of Economic Advisors, in a statement. "Still, confidence remains in optimistic territory and manufacturers, in particular, are upbeat about their business prospects." e Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce began reporting the region's business confidence in partnership with AIM in November.

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