Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | April 3, 2017 | Worcester Business Journal 5 REDEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY MONSON DEVELOPMENT CENTER – FOR SALE The sale and redevelopment of a portion of the former Monson Development Center presents an exciting opportunity to create a unique mixed-use development to support a mainly rural economy (and expanding light industrial economy) in the village-like historic Town of Monson. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is seeking responses to the Request for Proposal (RFP) for the purchase and sale of a portion of this state- owned property. Please refer to the RFP for site tour and specific submission requirements. MONSON DEVELOPMENT CENTER: • 256+/- acres for sale — bid on entire site or an Area • Historic property may be eligible for federal and state Historic Tax Credits • Town supports mixed use development • Adjacent to hundreds of acres of protected agricultural and recreation land • Includes undeveloped rail spur TO OBTAIN THE RFP: www.mass.gov/DCAMM/Monson2017 B R I E F S Protect yourselves from electronic threats In March, high-profile and business Twitter users across the nation were hacked, including Worcester State University and Polar Beverages, and their accounts sent pro-Nazi messages. The development was the latest in wave cybersecurity problems, ranging from major retailers and web providers losing customer data and Russian hackers impacting the presidential election. When polled, the overwhelming majority of WBJ readers rely on certain degrees of electronic protection, although a surprising number said cybersecurity isn't a concern. F L A S H P O L L QCC appoints new president Quinsigamond Community College has recommended a new president, Luis Pedraja, to replace longtime head Gail Carberry, who is leaving at the end of the school year. Pedraja was approved by Quinsigamond's board of trustees, and now must be approved by the state Board of Higher Education in May. Pedraja is interim vice chancellor of academic affairs for the 35,000-student Peralta Community College District. The district includes Berkeley City College, College of Alameda, Laney College and Merritt College. Jillian's closes in Worcester Jillian's, a billiards, bar and arcade center on Grove Street in Worcester, closed at the end of March, the business announced on its website. "We want to thank all of our custom- ers for their loyalty over the years," the message said. The facility said a replacement of sorts will soon open on James Street. New Mount Wachusett president starts Mount Wachusett Community College's new president, James Vander Hooven, started his tenure as the school's third-ever head on March 20. Vander Hooven was chosen by Mount Wachusett trustees in December and the state Board of Higher Education in January. He started in February for a transition period with Daniel Asquino, the longtime Mount Wachusett president who has stepped down after 30 years. Continued on next page What does your business do to prevent hacking? None of the above. Cybersecurity isn't major priority for us. 17% We have elaborate technology and firewall security. 42% We have regular employee training on cybersecurity. 25% 8% 8% We limit the amount of data that is easily accessible. We work with a third-party security firm. Mount Wachusett Community College President James Vander Hooven

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