www.wbjournal.com September 14, 2015 • Worcester Business Journal 3
Worcester — and by extension, Central
Massachusetts — has long played second
fiddle to Boston. I've experienced that from
both sides of Route 495, having lived my
childhood and adolescence in Boston
before settling out here and raising a family
after the 1980s.
The main reason I settled in Greater Worcester was one of cost:
Buying a home here was easier on the budget, and quality of life
for families was solid. It still is.
Maybe more people who aren't that familiar with Central
Massachusetts will see it my way. Many already have, and the
lower cost of living is held up as a marketing chip to people who
wouldn't mind coming here.
It's that allure — or rather, the lack of sufficient allure — that
we touch on twice in this issue: our Page 12 story on why
Worcester doesn't get more venture capital, and one of our two
editorials (Page 33), which addresses the life sciences industry.
Meanwhile, this is my last issue as editor of the WBJ as I move
on to a new career challenge. Since 2011, I have seen much of this
Boston-versus-Worcester phenomenon discussed and dissected
in several ways. It need not be that way. Central Massachusetts
has that cost edge in its favor, as well as trending demographics. I
hope that momentum continues and lifts everyone's fortunes.
It's all good enough for me to continue to call this region home.
Thanks for your attention over the last four years. It's been my
pleasure to share the business scene with you.
~ Rick Saia
This Week In The WBJ
Worcester Business Journal (ISSN#1063-
6595) is published bi-weeky, 24x per year,
including 5 special issues in April, July,
September, November and December, by
New Engand Business Media. 172
Shrewsbury St., Worcester, MA 01604.
Periodicals postage paid at Worcester, MA.
Copyright 2015. All rights reserved.
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www.wbjournal.com
A division of:
WBJ on the Web
From news to information about events and awards, we have it all at WBJournal.com.
What's your business worth?
Do you know how to place a value on your business? If yours is a
family business or sole proprietorship, or if you've recently
launched a startup, this WBJ seminar, The Business Valuation
Summit, can provide you with valuable insights. The seminar will
take place Wednesday, Sept. 30 from 3 to 6:30 p.m. at the
Beechwood Hotel in Worcester. Register by Sept. 23 at www.
wbjournal.com/valuationsummit.
NEWS & ANALYSIS
9 China's impact on Central Mass.
The Chinese economy has had an impact on stock markets around the
world. Will it affect Central Massachusetts? Local experts see both impact
and opportunity.
FINAL WEEK! Nominations
for Top Workplaces awards
For the fourth straight year, we'll be honoring
companies that take an extra step or two in their
workplace practices. The deadline for nominations –
Friday, Sept. 18 – is fast approaching. Should your company be nominated? Fill
out a brief questionnaire today at www.wbjournal.com/topworkplaces2015
to be considered for this year's Central Massachusetts Top Workplaces awards.
Second fiddle? Or first rate?
12
12 Is Central Mass. a venture
capital afterthought?
Although early-stage investors
are more likely to focus their
attention on places like Boston
and Silicon Valley, it doesn't
mean Central Massachusetts is
starving for attention. Yet it
could use a little more.
14 Credit unions drive more
auto loan business
Car sales are growing again, and
credit unions are taking a bigger
piece of the growing market for
automobile loans.
CORRECTION: Our story on Page 10 of the Aug.31 edition introducing this year's 40 Under
Forty incorrectly stated the number of degrees held by this year's honorees that were awarded by
Clark University. There are eight degrees, held by six honorees.
DEPARTMENTS
27 Accolades & Honors
4 Briefing
33 Editorial
32 Flash Poll
27 Fresh Beginnings
29 Incorporations
23 Knowhow
16 The list: credit unions
30-31 Movers & Shakers
28 Networking/Events
34 Photo Finish
5 Real Deals
8 Ticker
33 Viewpoint
ON PAGE ONE
The changing state of shopping malls
Developers may be leaning more toward outdoor shopping centers, but one mall
in Central Massachusetts is showing how location and innovation can keep cus-
tomers coming.
Can asphalt and cement spell downtown success?
Worcester is pushing a $7.5 million downtown streetscape improvement plan
for Main Street. But businesses along the strip question how much it can help
bring in more sales.
COLUMN
24 Success requires action
Want your idea to succeed? In Inspiration and Innovation,
Jeff Schiebe tells you what happens when you spring into action.
Editor, Rick Saia, rsaia@wbjournal.com
Staff Writers
Sam Bonacci, sbonacci@wbjournal.com
(Banking & Finance, Real Estate,
Manufacturing, Technology)
Emily Micucci, emicucci@wbjournal.com
(Health Care)
Staff Writer/Copy Editor
Carol McDonald, cmcdonald@wbjournal.com
Contributors
Susan Shalhoub, sshalhoub@wbjournal.com
Livia Gershon
Alanna Moriarty, amoriarty@wbjournal.com
Christina P. O'Neill
Research Director, Roger Magnus
rmagnus@nebusinessmedia.com
Research Assistant, Heide Martin
hmartin@wbjournal.com
Production Director, Kira Beaudoin
kbeaudoin@wbjournal.com
Associate Art Director, Mitchell Hayes
mhayes@wbjournal.com
Manager of Video/Multimedia Services,
Matthew Volpini
mvolpini@nebusinessmedia.com
Director, Major Accounts
Bonnie Leroux, bleroux@wbjournal.com
Senior Accounts Manager
Matt Majikas, mmajikas@wbjournal.com
Accounts Manager
Rena Barbieri, rbarbieri@wbjournal.com
Custom Publishing Project Manager
Christine Juetten, cjuetten@wbjournal.com
Marketing & Events Manager
Kris Prosser, kprosser@wbjournal.com
Controller, Mary Rogers
mrogers@nebusinessmedia.com
Accounting Assistant, Valerie Clark
vclark@nebusinessmedia.com
Collections Manager, Raki Zwiebel
rzwiebel@nebusinessmedia.com
Human Resources, Kim Vautour
kvautour@nebusinessmedia.com
Publisher, CEO, Peter Stanton
pstanton@nebusinessmedia.com
Associate Publisher, Mark Murray
mmurray@wbjournal.com
Group Publisher, Joseph Zwiebel
jzwiebel@nebusinessmedia.com
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2012
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SHOP TALK
8 Q&A with Debra Petke of Danforth Art, in Framingham
Banking & Finance
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