The state's unemployment rate, already significantly lower than the national average, dropped again in April, according to figures released by the state's Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development. The April rate is 5.9 percent, down half a percentage point from March's 6.4 percent mark. Massachusetts gained nearly 19,000 jobs in that time. Most cities and towns in the state experienced drops in their local unemployment numbers, released Tuesday by Workforce Development. Some locations, like Cambridge and Arlington, are well below 4 percent, while others, like Chelsea and Revere, remain Continue reading >>>

From classic rock to classical, the Esplanade will be bathed in music this summer. Oldies signal WODS returns with its annual concert series, which includes performances from the latest iteration of Starship featuring Mickey Thomas (June 16), no doubt belting out “We Built This City,” Burton Cummings, formerly of the Guess Who, and Mark Farner, formerly of Grand Funk Railroad, coming to your town to help you party down on July 21, and Rick Springfield continuing to covet “Jessie’s Girl” on Aug. 4. On Wednesdays, the Boston Landmarks Orchestra will offer varied programming including Aaron Continue reading >>>

Summer’s almost here, and with the arrival of longer days come opportunities to enjoy grooving to tunes under the sun and stars. The window isn’t open for long, so to make the most of your chances, here’s a partial guide to outdoor shows, some of them free, happening around the Greater Boston area this summer. ELAINE AND JEROME ROSENFELD CONCERTS IN THE COURTYARD July 11-Aug. 29, 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $30, $24 for students, seniors, and members. (Animal Hospital Ensemble tickets are $16-$20.) Museum of Fine Arts. 800-440-6975, www.mfa.org/programs/music On Continue reading >>>

Greater Boston is the 10th most expensive market for companies looking to relocate their corporate headquarters with strong appeal for Canadian businesses that want to set up shop in the United States, but a growing competitive threat from cheaper Midwestern cities that are luring established U.S. companies, according to a new report. “Companies are reassessing their headquarters with a focus on reducing costs,” said John Boyd Jr., principal of The Boyd Company Inc. “For Boston, the competition historically has been Connecticut and New York, but there really is this sense of companies wanting Continue reading >>>

Peter Bugden opened a Nutri-Lawn franchise in the early 1990s in Halifax, Nova Scotia because he thought it was a good brand for the Canadian market. It turns out that he was right – nearly 20 years later, he’s built a company with $1.8 million in revenues. Now Bugden is turning his eyes stateside, eyeing opportunities for a lawn care operator with environmentally-friendly lawn care experience as well as the Nutri-Lawn brand in the U.S. market. He also believes that his own experiences position him well for this market. “Fifteen years ago, people in Canada responded when I told Continue reading >>>

File photo | Associated PressSen. Scott Brown, R-Mass., addresses the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce in Boston, Monday, Nov. 15, 2010. Brown called for government to focus on creating a better business environment. (AP Photo/Josh Reynolds) The financial industry is lining up behind Republican U.S. Senator Scott Brown’s reelection campaign, making him one of the top recipients of cash from financial, insurance and real estate companies during the current election cycle. While Democrats are trying to portray Brown as beholden to Wall Street, the reason for such strong support may have Continue reading >>>

DEDHAM, Mass., May 25, 2012 -- /PRNewswire/ -- /Continental Who's Who/ -- Dawn M. Costello is recognized by Continental Who's Who as a Pinnacle Professional in the field of Finance. Dawn is the Director of Operations for FIS' Boston location.Dawn brings over 25 years of experience in the banking sector to her current role with FIS. She specializes in the areas of Operations and Management. Her years of banking experience allows her to provide in- depth knowledge of the industry, which has assisted in retaining business and bringing in new clients. Additionally, Dawn is a Project Continue reading >>>

DEDHAM, Mass., May 25, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- /Continental Who's Who/ -- Dawn M. Costello is recognized by Continental Who's Who as a Pinnacle Professional in the field of Finance. Dawn is the Director of Operations for FIS' Boston location. Dawn brings over 25 years of experience in the banking sector to her current role with FIS. She specializes in the areas of Operations and Management. Her years of banking Continue reading >>>