Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/515946
www.wbjournal.com May 25, 2015 • Worcester Business Journal 15 We are pleased to announce that Devon A. Kinnard has joined the firm as a shareholder in the Business area. He will continue to concentrate his practice on commercial transactions, including commercial loans, private securities offerings, private equity capital raises, joint venture and syndicated financings, mergers and acquisitions, and general business transactions. Devon counsels regional banks, credit uni ons, and other financial institutions in drafting and negotiating documents and instruments, and represents lenders making commercial real estate and asset-based loans. Prior to joining Davis Malm, Devon practiced at DarrowEverett LLP. A T T O R N E Y S A T L A W O N T H E L E G A L F R O N T I E R S I N C E 1 9 7 9 O N E B O S T O N P L A C E B O S T O N • 6 1 7 . 3 6 7 . 2 5 0 0 w w w . d a v i s m a l m . c o m Simply Beter. saversbank.com 800.649.3036 Member FDIC Member SIF Equal Housing Lender It's Your Move. Choose Wisely. Our Commercial Services Team is the wise choice to help your business win the game. Make your move, choose Savers Bank today. >> ENTREPRENEURSHIP/INNOVATION/SMALL BUSINESS Mass. small business scorecard How difficult is it for small businesses in Massachusetts to launch, grow and thrive? The annual "report card" from Thumback.com and the Kauffman Foundation said the Bay State excels only at finding people to get the work done. OVERALL GRADE Ease of starting a business Ease of hiring Regulations Training and networking programs Tax code C - D+ C - D D+ A C - D B C+ C - D 2013 2014 Report Card Source: Thumback.com VC funding in New England After falling below $3 billion in 2010, venture capital funding in New England rebounded. 0 $0.5 $1.0 $1.5 $2.0 $2.5 $3.0 $3.5 '04 '05 '06 '07 '08 '09 '10 '11 '13 '12 $3.16 $3.10 $3.48 $3.94 $3.56 $3.08 $2.79 $3.83 $3.56 $3.77 Billions of dollars Source: Wilmer Cutller Pickering Hale and Dorr Small businesses want to hire, but … Forty-six percent of small-business owners in the U.S. plan to hire through the first quarter of 2016. That's down from 52 percent a year ago. Why? They're struggling to find qualified candidates, citing these top three challenges: Source: Bank of America They don't have the needed skills. Their salary expectations are too high. They prefer to work for a larger company. 59% 45% 29%