The state Senate Committee on Post Audit and Oversight Hearing held a fact-finding hearing today to investigate the granting of tax incentives to businesses to spur job creation and retention. The committee heard testimony about the need for greater transparency and evaluation of such incentives and for remedies to ensure that taxpayers’ money is used effectively. Witnesses included Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development Secretary Greg Bialecki, the Executive Office of Administration and Finance General Counsel David Sullivan, Noah Berger of the Massachusetts Budget and Public Policy Continue reading >>>

WASHINGTON (MNI) - The following is the second and final part of the text of the Beige Book survey of economic conditions in the Federal Reserve's First District, published Wednesday: Staffing Services New England staffing firms generally report lighter-than-expected volumes through mid-August, with most contacts characterizing business as "slow" or "flat." The May-to-August dip reportedly reflects a softening of demand for office and clerical assistants and light industrial workers. Nevertheless, year-over-year revenue changes in the second quarter remained largely Continue reading >>>

TPC Boston's New 18th Green Set to Make Things More Interesting at 2012 Deutsche Bank Championship (Video) Even if the local teams played poorly over the last 10 years, sports fans could still count on the playoffs rolling through the Greater Boston area each year. That's because the Deutsche Bank Championship, a staple at TPC Boston since 2003, is coming to town Labor Day weekend. But this year's tournament is set to be a grand affair, as things Continue reading >>>

The Container Store plans to bring 80 jobs to Peabody with the opening of its third Greater Boston store at the Northshore Mall in October. With assistance from its majority owner, private equity firm Leonard Green Partners, The Container Store is in the midst of a major national expansion. The Coppell, Texas-based company said it aims to have as many as five stores in the region, including Continue reading >>>

"Center-based child care fees for two children exceeded housing costs for homeowners with a mortgage in 20 states and the District of Columbia," the report finds. Day care in Massachusetts is even more expensive than New York State, where the cost is just over $14,000 a year for full day care for an infant, falling to just under $13,600 in Minnesota. The average two-income Bay State couple, with a median income of around $105,000, can expect to shell out roughly 14 percent of their pay on day care - and that's just for one child. Costs do drop as the baby grows into a toddler or preschooler, Continue reading >>>

For the last two years and nine months, Chelmsford resident and Director of Nutrition Kendra Bird, plays a vital role helping the Greater Boston Food Bank distribute healthy meals in eastern Massachusetts. Working at the GBFB, the largest hunger-relief organization in New England and one of the largest in the nation since November of 2009, Bird’s responsibility’s at the organization stretch from evaluating and ranking the food, to creating monthly education materials in conjunction with a monthly health observance for those participating in GBFB programs. With resources pooled from industry Continue reading >>>

Both are land constrained, boutique markets with thriving innovation sector industries. While tech rules in SF, life sciences are king in Greater Boston, though our tech sector is also on a tear now as well. Moreover, the long-term factors that pushed Boston area prices up during the bubble years have temporarily abated, but have certainly not gone away. Construction of new homes has been anemic since a modest boom in the 80s and conditions for builders are only getting worse as suburbs, stressed about school costs, shut their doors to new development. As it stands now, the median price of a Continue reading >>>

Former Hospice Walk chair and Beverly resident Donald Kelley will be among those honored by Hospice of the North Shore Greater Boston next week during the “Celebrating 25” event. The first Walk for Hospice of the North Shore Greater Boston (HNSGB) was coordinated by a mere 30 volunteers who held a banner and marched up the streets of Beverly. Still going strong in its 25th year, the annual Walk is chaired by dedicated community members, some for multiple years, and the walkers have numbered into the thousands. To commemorate this milestone and recognize the Walk’s past chairs’ vital Continue reading >>>

By NewsPublished Aug. 27, 2012Updated 18 hours ago comments Tweet Share Share Print The Boston Marathon continues to the lead the way in terms of charitable giving. Photo: CBS NewsRunners in the 116th Boston Marathon raised funds for 122 non-profits. From: Running USA BOSTON – John Hancock’s 2012 Boston Marathon Non-Profit Program raised a record $6.8 million as part of the 116th running of the historic race in April of this year. The record total for 2012 represents a 29 percent increase over 2011′s fundraising results. As part of John Hancock’s sponsorship of the Marathon, Continue reading >>>

Don’t blame the technology. For those who argue that a ban on cellphone use while driving will make highways safer, there’s bad news: People who chat behind the wheel often drive more aggressively even after they hang up, according to a study from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, “The people who are more willing to frequently engage in cellphone use are higher-risk drivers, independent of the phone,” said Bryan Reimer, associate director of MIT’s New England University Transportation Center. “It’s not just a subtle difference with those willing to pick up the phone. This Continue reading >>>