Worcester Business Journal

Nice work, Gail Carberry 21 WBJ's editorial board lauds the 10-year reign of Quinsigamond Community College's president. Central Massachusetts' Source for Business News September 12, 2016 Volume 27 Number 18 www.wbjournal.com $2.00 A Maynard tech firm is riding a stock bubble by providing the backbone of the expanding internet. Internet millions 12 D evelopers securing restaurants for their buildouts typically face two choices: go with a chain that is more of the same but can pay top dollar for the location, or take a chance – and likely a financial hit – to bring in a desireable chef or a concept that could poten- tially create a unique draw for your location. The Grid District in downtown Worcester could turn that thinking on its head. P H O T O / E D D C O T E Worcester developer, restauranteur forge unlikely pact BY LAURA FINALDI Worcester Business Journal Staff Writer >> Continued on Page 10 BY SAM BONACCI Worcester Business Journal Digital Editor A bout 16 years ago while she was preg- nant, Linda Townsend went to Canyon Ranch, a holistic wellness center in Tucson, Ariz., to learn how to better care for herself and her family. She came away with a new perspective on how to eat, work out and even think – and a desire to take what she learned and share it with people. Banks, SBA increase small biz lending Linda Townsend oversees the construction of her Release Well-Being Center in Westborough, which she is opening thanks to a $3.2-million U.S. Small Business Administration loan financed through Avidia Bank. >> Continued in Focus section on Page 14 The total loans through SBA's Massachusetts office has reached pre-recession levels. SBA loans on the rise 1,500 2,000 2,500 '07 '08 '09 '10 '11 '12 '13 '14 '15 Total 7(a) and 504 loans 2,591 Frank Peace, CEO of New England Craft Restaurant Concepts FOCUS: Banking & Finance Q&A with Barry Maloney, president of Worcester State University Shop Talk 8 Source: SBA P H O T O / N A T H A N F I S K E

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