Worcester Business Journal Special Editions

4 Worcester Business Journal | June 22, 2026 | wbjournal.com Dear Central Massachusetts Community, A s the United States prepares to commemorate 250 years of independence, we are invited to reflect on the values and shared commitments that have carried America forward. For BBB Central New England, that reflection begins with one truth: trust matters. For more than a century, BBB has stood for trust, integrity, accountability, and ethical business practices. In every generation, the marketplace has changed. Technology has transformed how we communicate, buy, sell, review and recommend. Yet the values at the heart of BBB have not gone out of style. ey are more important than ever. America's economic story has always been powered by opportunity: entrepreneurs willing to take risks, consumers willing to place confidence in new ideas, and communities willing to invest in one another. at confidence is earned when businesses do what they say they will do, consumers have reliable information, and communities work together to protect one another from scams, fraud, and unethical behavior. Central Massachusetts is defined by resilience, ingenuity, and a revolutionary spirit. e determination that helped transform a colony into a commonwealth still lives here in our businesses, manufacturers, nonprofits, educators, innovators, veterans, leaders, and community partners. It lives in those who choose collaboration over competition and recognize that a stronger marketplace benefits us all. BBB Central New England is part of a network of nearly 90 Better Business Bureaus across North America, connected by a shared commitment to advancing trust in the marketplace. Like the founders who understood that independence required cooperation and shared purpose, BBBs across the system know communities are strengthened when we share resources and apply innovation for the greater good. At BBB Central New England, we are working to be a true resource agency for the 220 communities we serve. For businesses committed to BBB's 8 Standards of Trust, we want to help strengthen credibility, communicate their values, and lead with integrity. For consumers, we want to be a trusted guide, offering unbiased information, education, and support when decisions feel confusing, risks feel high, or someone needs to know where to turn. rough our Consumer Education Foundation, funded by our Accredited Businesses, we provide free resources, presentations, and support to help consumers make better decisions and protect themselves from those who seek to take advantage of them. is work is especially important for people in transition or more vulnerable to scams and fraud, including military members, veterans and their families, older adults, students, and other vulnerable populations. Our commitment to the next generation is growing through scholarships that recognize integrity, character, service, and opportunity, including the Barbara J. Sinnott Student of Integrity Scholarship, a new BBB Trades Scholarship, and a Textbooks for Veterans Scholarship. As we look to the future, BBB Central New England is leaning into both our legacy and our responsibility to evolve. We bring more than 100 years of marketplace data, experience, standards, and insight to our work, helping us identify patterns, recognize emerging risks, elevate trustworthy businesses, and educate consumers before harm occurs. We are also embracing shared innovation, including the BBB AI Hub, made possible through the leadership and collaboration of our fellow BBB in Colorado Springs. By bringing this free resource to our region at www.bbbaihub.org, we are helping small businesses, nonprofits, students, educators, leaders, entrepreneurs, and workforce professionals understand artificial intelligence and use it responsibly. As AI changes how organizations operate and make decisions, our region needs training rooted in trust, ethics, and real-world application. As America marks this historic milestone, BBB Central New England remains committed to building the community and marketplace of trust we all crave. e tools will change. e threats will change. e marketplace will continue to change. But trust and integrity will never go out of style, and neither will the need for people and organizations willing to protect them. S P E C I A L A D V E R T I S I N G S E C T I O N | America at 250 Yours in trust, Lisa K. Swanson CEO/President Better Business Bureau of Central New England S P E C I A L A D V E R T I S I N G S E C T I O N | America at 250

• Cover