Worcester Business Journal

4 Worcester Business Journal • June 8, 2015 www.wbjournal.com Six communities in Central Massachusetts are being removed from Kinder Morgan's proposal to expand its natural-gas pipeline capacity in the region. Rep. Hank Naughton, D-Clinton announced Tuesday that project representatives he spoke with advised him that Berlin, Boylston and Northborough would no longer be affected due to project revisions. A day later, a spokesman for Kinder Morgan, the Houston-based parent of Tennessee Gas, said Bolton, West Boylston, Shrewsbury and a portion of Worcester are also no longer affected. About 15.6 miles of the planned North Worcester Lateral pipeline, and the Stamford Loop in Connecticut, will be removed from the project scope. A new North Worcester meter station and proposed modifications at three meter stations in Connecticut are also scheduled to be removed. Kinder Morgan had originally proposed a new pipeline to carry gas from New York across Western Massachusetts and through several communities in North Central Massachusetts. But after protests from that area, the company revised its plans, skirting North Central Massachusetts in favor of a route through Southern New Hampshire. An extension south from New Hampshire to Fitchburg appears to remain part of the plans. (State House News Service) DEVENS — Wind energy equipment manufacturer AMSC of Devens saw a strong 36-percent revenue growth to close out its most recent fiscal year while it substantially cut its quarterly losses, the company reported. AMSC said it took in $25.1 million in revenue for the quarter, which ended March 31, up from $16.3 million in the same quarter last year. The company, which has been looking to rebound since its main customer stopped doing business with it in 2010, cut its net loss for the quarter to $3.4 million, or 36 cents per share, down sharply from $22.7 million, or $3.30 a share. MARLB OROUGH — R X i Pharmaceuticals said it's offering common stock and warrants in an effort to raise more than $10 million. The company, which focuses on research in the areas of dermatology and ophthalmology, is offering 26 million units at 40 cents per share, for gross proceeds of about $10.4 million. Net proceeds should be approximately $9.3 million, RXi said. Each unit consists of a share of common stock, a 13-month overallotment purchase right to buy a half share of common stock at a $0.455 per share, and a five- year warrant to purchase a half share of common stock at 52 cents per share. WORCESTER — The University of Massachusetts Medical School and the medical school at Trinity College in Dublin are strengthening their decade-long collaboration. The schools signed a strategic partnership allowing for student exchanges, postdoctoral fellow training in biomedical research, and the development of collaborative research and education initiatives, Trinity College said. For years, the schools have had a research relationship involving collaborations and joint grants. Trinity also has strong links with Boston College in the arts and humanities, and with Harvard University in engineering. HOPKINTON — EMC Corp. is acquiring Virtustream, which will form EMC's new managed cloud services business, the data storage giant said. The deal is part of EMC's strategy to help its customers move all their applications to cloud-based IT environments. Bethesda, Md.-based Virtustream is a privately held company with products that will be delivered directly to customers through EMC's global partner ecosystem, the EMC statement said. The cash transaction, valued at about $1.2 billion, is expected to close in the third quarter, the company said. WORCESTER — Worcester Credit Union's downtown branch at 315 Main St. will close later this summer. The last day the branch will be open is Aug. 21, according to an announcement on the credit union's website. There are not enough customers to keep the branch open, the announcement read. "The reality today is that many people choose remote and mobile banking options more often than they visit a bank or credit union branch," the announcement said. The credit union may keep the ATM at the location. HOLLISTON — Clinical research company Veristat will move its headquarters from Holliston to Southborough this summer as it meets higher demand from its pharmaceutical and biotechnology clients, the company said. Veristat plans to move to 118 Turnpike Rd. (Rte. 9 eastbound) in Southborough, where it will occupy the second floor, taking up 33,000 square feet of space. CEO Patrick Flanagan said Veristat is taking on more full-service clinical research projects. Over the past two years, Veristat has more than tripled its employee base and plans to add another 30 to its staff. REGIONAL BRIEFS >> Continued on next page Verbatim "Increased market constraints can drive up costs and reduce investment in the clean energy sector, to the detriment of customers (and) the clean tech economy ... ." Atty. Gen. Maura Healey, arguing for lifting the cap on solar energy production in Massachusetts. Source: State House News Service, June 1 "I am disappointed that you have not been the strong leader that many hoped for — and that you promised to be." U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, in a letter to Securities and Exchange Commission chair- woman Mary Jo White. The letter was written a week after White named a top Goldman Sachs attorney as her chief of staff. Source: BostonGlobe.com, June 2 >> "The world is run by those who show up. That's how change will happen, because you have shown up." Worcester City Manager Edward Augustus, addressing a discussion on race last week at Quinsigamond Community College. Source: MassLive.com, June 2 >> CENTRALMASS In Review >> T here's work ‒ and then there's everything else. At least that's how it used to be. Now, there's work and personal wellness, and companies are increasingly connecting the two. Many employers are taking an active role in encouraging bet- ter health and more happiness for their employees. Is employee health and happiness any of an employer's business? It's a lot of their business, many say. The possibility of lower health-care payments and premiums are among several ways companies can benefit. To the extent that employee well-being improves productivity, creativity and other workplace positives — and reduces doctor visits, sick days, accidents and errors — it's clearly in businesses' best interest to have employees in good physical and mental shape. The difference is that companies used to leave large- ly to chance what they're now working to influence. What draws employees to wellness programs? Workplace stress is a top reason employees partici- pate in such programs, according to a recent survey by Virgin Pulse of Framingham. More than 80 percent of 15,000 employees surveyed said they hope to lower their stress levels by taking part in a program. What do companies do to encourage wellness? Traditionally, many laws and industry practices aim to ensure safe, comfortable work environments, chanc- es for adequate sleep in between shifts and other com- mon-sense provisions. Modern workplace efforts stretch the wellness con- cept in new directions. Some companies offer free or cheap yoga classes at work. Weight-loss assistance, free flu shots, smoking cessation clinics, lunchtime walk clubs and the like are not unusual topics for company- wide emails. Break rooms and conferences are trending toward healthier snacks. Gym discounts, wellness sem- inars, meditation/quiet spaces, bike racks and regular sponsorships of teams at local walk/run fundraisers are other ways companies get involved. What are some resources for businesses? Health care, insurance, service and fitness organiza- tions form partnerships with companies to encourage wellness-related activities. In addition, employee wellness itself can be a multi- million-dollar business. Virgin Pulse is an example. Last month, the 10-year-old company — which helps companies improve employee well-being, such as through its "Build Habits that Matter" platform — said it had raised $92 million in additional funding. Is hard work getting lost in the shuffle? Actually, quite the opposite. Energized, content employees balance the fun with getting a lot of work done. Having plenty of meaningful work remains a huge contributor to health and happiness, and success- ful companies have no trouble providing that. n BRIEFING: WORK AND WELLNESS

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