Framingham has been trying to revitalize its downtown near town hall, but that and other economic development projects have been slowed by the difficulties of the former town meeting form of government. The new mayor, Yvonne Spicer, now has the tools to change that.

ON THE COVER

Framingham pushes economic development with new strong mayor

Emily Micucci | November 13, 2017 06:00 am

With the election of Yvonne Spicer, the community once dubbed America's largest town sees new opportunities once it becomes a city in January.

In Joe Provost's cyber war room, the New England Cyber Range, teams of trainees will try to protect data from teams trying to hack that information.

The skills gap in cybersecurity is widening

Zachary Comeau | November 13, 2017 06:00 am

As cyber threats rise, the supply of highly skilled cybersecurity workers is not meeting demand.

Focus on Top Workplaces

Paul Sellew, co-founder and CEO of Little Leaf Farms

Little Leaf grows lettuce year-round without human hands

Grant Welker

Quiet Logistics uses robots to compete with Amazon

Grant Welker

After 100 years, Devens has become a technology hub

Grant Welker

How To

101:Offering feedback

SUSAN SHALHOUB | November 13, 2017 06:00 am

Though we have touched on this topic before in this space, it's importance to revisit – plus, new findings on best implementation practices are constantly evolving.

How to manage business losses after severe weather

JOEL MAKHLUF | November 13, 2017 06:00 am

In the aftermath of a severe weather event, businesses face the unenviable prospect of trying to rebuild.

10 Things I know about...Life insurance

Ryan A. Wagner | November 13, 2017 06:00 am

Briefing
Shop Talk
Movers & Shakers
Opinion

Patrick Muldoon, outgoing UMass Memorial Medical Center president

UMass Memorial president wanted to retire at right time

Zachary Comeau

The announcement was always planned for Nov. 1, once the hospital got past the launch and implementation of its new Epic system, a $650-million electronic medical records platform.

>> Continue Reading

Steven Strong, founder and president, Solar Design Associates, Inc.

Harvard firm going on 43 years strong in solar industry

Brad Kane

From designing the first house to export electricity onto the power grid, Solar Design Associates has worked on projects large and small as the industry has evolved in fits and starts.

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Movers & Shakers

Reliant Medical Group, Country Bank and E4TheFuture were among the organizations announcing recent hires and promotions.

>> Continue Reading

Lists

Top manufacturers

Ranked by number of local employees as of March 2018

Rank	Manufacturer	No. local employees	Year founded
1	Dell EMC Corp., Hopkinton	8,000	1979 (EMC)
2	IPG Photonics Corp., Oxford	1,753	1990
3	Boston Scientific Corp., Marlborough	1,700	1979

Source: Each manufacturer via survey, Massachusetts Manufacturers Register, annual reports

Largest hospitals in Central Mass.

Ranked by number of licensed beds as of February

Rank	Hospital	No. of licensed beds	Year founded
1	UMass Memorial Medical Center, Worcester	779	1998
2	MetroWest Medical Center, Framingham	307	1992
3	Saint Vincent Hospital, Worcester	283	1893

Source: Each hospital via survey

Largest meeting facilities

Ranked by maximum banquet accommodation

Rank	Facility	Max. banquet accommodation	No. of overnight rooms
1	Wachusett Mountain Ski Area, Princeton	3,000 (outdoor, tented events)	0
2	DCU Center, Worcester	2,520	0
3	Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel & Trade Center	1,500	431

Source: Each facility via survey

Highest-paid nonprofit chief executives

Ranked by total compensation for most recent fiscal year available

Rank	Executive	Organization	Total compensation
1	Eric W. Dickson, president & CEO	UMass Memorial Health Care Inc., Worcester	$1.83 million
2	Patrick Muldoon, former president	UMass Memorial Medical Center, Worcester	$1.28 million
3	Stephen Tosi, president & physician	UMass Memorial Medical Group, Worcester	$1.25 million