Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | November 16, 2026 | Worcester Business Journal 5 800-939-9103 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. Kopin to build new headquarters in Westborough as part of $80M expansion Kopin plans to invest $80 million in a new expansion with the potential to create up to 80 new jobs over the next five years across engineering, advanced manufacturing and semi- conductor processing, the company announced Monday. Kopin is a Westborough-based company that develops miniature dis- plays and optical systems for military, industrial, medical and consumer uses. e company said it expects to strengthen domestic manufacturing of MicroLED and optical technolo- gies that address two growing needs: advanced displays for next-generation defense systems and more ener- gy-efficient data connections for AI infrastructure. "MicroLED is opening new possi- bilities in how soldiers and pilots see critical information and how AI sys- tems move data," said Michael Mur- ray, CEO of Kopin Corporation, in a release Monday. "Realizing that po- tential requires sustained investment in engineering talent, equipment and domestic manufacturing capacity. e Commonwealth's support helps us build that capacity in Massachusetts, where Kopin has been innovating for more than 40 years." e company plans to relocate headquarters functions to 75 North Drive, which will free up additional space at Kopin's existing 125 North Drive facility for manufacturing expansion and future production programs, with new roles to span en- gineering, advanced manufacturing, semiconductor processing, and other business functions. Phase one of the expansion begins in January. Murray told the WBJ that the defense sector is demanding OLED (organic light-emitting) displays and other products such as night and drone goggles. He said the same product line will support displays for rotary-wing applications for jets and helicopters, the specialized head- sets pilots wear and Soldier Borne Mission Command, the U.S. Army's situational awareness system that integrates soldier-worn sensors, AI, augmented reality and digital archi- tecture. Another focus of Kopin's manufac- turing is advancing color MicroLED technology for next-generation soldier and pilot systems, as well as an AI optical interconnect chip tech- nology that transmits data through light. at technology will be built in Westborough. Murray said the company would be hiring operators for new machines, engineers, support staff, assemblers, and production line workers to sup- port optical interconnects. He expects local hiring to "ramp up" in 2027 and 2028. State seeks developer to convert former Lancaster reform school into 300-400 homes e state is seeking a developer to turn the 72-acre former Lancaster Industrial School for Girls campus into 300 to 400 residences. e state aims to transform the vacant former Lancaster school campus into a new, walkable neigh- borhood with at least 288 homes. e state hired urban design firm Speck Dempsey to dra a redevelopment plan for the state-owned property at 220 Old Common Road in Lancaster. Lancaster will consider the massive reuse plan at a special town meeting Nov. 16, when the town will ask vot- ers to amend its zoning bylaws and map to create a Lancaster Industrial School Zoning District. "e re-development of the Indus- trial School property represents a major opportunity for the construc- tion of a wide variety of housing types within a walkable community," Lancaster Town Administrator John Woodsmall said in statement. If voters adopt the zoning change, the Town in partnership with the state, will have input on the selection of a developer, control over the look and layout of the project, be able to limit the total number of units in the development, ensure some level of af- fordable residential units, obtain land and construction money for a new municipal drinking water well, allow for approximately 20,000 square feet of commercial/retail space, and see a project developed that will generate a net-positive financial impact to the Town, Woodsmall said. "e ability to work with the state to cra a project that will retain the aesthetics and historical nature of the buildings and property is an incred- continues on page 6

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