Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/903631
wbjournal.com | Fact Book 2017 | Worcester Business Journal 11 R E G I O N S M e t r o W e s t Put an SBA loan to work for your business. Chances are, your business could use a boost. As an SBA Preferred Lender, The Milford National can help. This special program is just one of many commercial lending and banking services tailored to the needs of area businesses. We work one-on-one to provide you with custom-tailored solutions to help you put your plans into action. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, call us at 508-634-4100 or visit www.milfordnational.com. Main Office: 300 East Main Street, Milford, MA 01757 • 508-634-4100 Member FDIC Equal Housing Lender SBA Preferred Lender 2017MNB-027_RevSmallBusLoanAd_4_3x5_5_sk1.indd 1 10/23/17 10:22 AM Downtowns in Framingham, Hudson and Marlborough are expand- ing and revitalizing. Framingham has grown around the popular Jack's Abby brewpub, Hudson touts eateries like Rail Trail Flatbread Co., and Marlborough's plea for similar draws landed it the soon-to-open Walden Woods Brewing. Marlborough's push for amenities Marlborough has likely been the most proactive MetroWest community in making it a hotter attraction, such as with the new brewpub and a bikeshare system. The program, with the Cambridge company Zagster, includes 30 bikes at five stations. From an early September launch through early November, the program had 156 active members and 233 trips, said Meredith Harris, the executive director of the Marlborough Economic Development Corp. "It's been phenomenal," she said. Continued from Page 8 Coordination and transportation challenges One challenge for MetroWest, Joseph said, is municipalities don't always work with one another for regional development planning. "I'm very bullish on the opportuni- ties in front of us," Joseph said, "but what gives me pause is, can we get out of our own way?" The biggest transportation chal- lenge, Harris said, is the last-mile con- nection. Anyone arriving at a MetroWest stop to get to work would still likely need another mode of trans- portation to get from the station to the office. What makes up for that challenge, Harris said, is a high quality of life, a relative affordability compared to communities closer to Boston, and an impressive roster of local headquar- ters. "We have an existing ecosystem," Harris said. "You're not going to be alone. We're a very friendly business community, and we get it." Part of the new wave of merchants who have revived downtown Hudson, Karim El-Gamal has opened eateries Rail Trail Flatbread Co. and New City Microcreamery. P H O T O / N A T H A N F I S K E W