Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1547125
wbjournal.com | October 19, 2026 | Worcester Business Journal 27 Economy Find Hilltop on the OPEN HOUSE Sunday, Nov. 1 REGISTER TODAY! worcesteracademy.org/visit 800-939-9103 cornerstonebank.com Member FDIC | Member DIF Scan the QR code to connect with us. More Than Half of Businesses in the U.S. Reported Fraud in the Past Two Years We Can Help with Positive Pay Positive Pay is the leading fraud-prevention solution designed to help protect your business against altered, forged, or counterfeit checks and ACH debits clearing your account—with the convenience of reviewing and acting on decision items right from online banking or the mobile app. In 2025, we protected our business customers from over $250,000 in fraudulent transactions, and we're just getting started. Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Timo- thy P. Murray. "With precision manufacturing, you need high-quality, competent people given the significance of the work they do," Murray said. He noted the Department of Defense, for example, relies on these companies when it could go to low- er-cost states to meet its supply chain needs. "e work, the history of the work- force in this space is the difference," Murray said. Baker agreed, noting most of Kopin Corp.'s employees live in surround- ing towns within a 20-mile radius of Westborough. "We see our products supporting human performance when it matters most-whether it is for a surgeon or a soldier," Baker said. "We want our customers to have the best equipment and tools available, so we are always pushing our product development capabilities and our quality." Manufacturers' contributions to the economy are another benefit. Murray noted the average median wage is higher than two other large Massachu- setts sectors—higher education and healthcare. "What (defense manufacturers) create serves the supply chain and spending is extremely consequential in terms of materials, shipping and all the other logistics," he said. "It's just a high-value industry and sector on lots of different levels." W Pictured above: SPY-6 is the U.S. Navy family of radars that perform air and missile defense on seven classes of ships. COURTESY OF RTX