BILLERICA, MA-McCracken Financial Software Inc. hires Shaun Brady to establish and manage a new business unit that will provide information services to the commercial real estate industry. Brady has been a vocal proponent of the commercial mortgage industry need for more accurate and integrated information services.

SOUTH PORTLAND, ME-Fairchild Semiconductor International begins construction on an 800,000-sf manufacturing and automated warehouse facility in Suzhou, China. The building is a key part of the company's expansion plans into Asia.

BOSTON-Fitch Ratings assigns an A+ rating to the city's $117 million convention center loan. With this financing, the city meets the bulk of its financial commitment to the 1.6 million sf convention center, which will be New England's largest convention facility and among the largest in the US.

BOSTON-The Massachusetts Turnpike Authority sends out requests for proposals for the first contract on the Surface Artery, the valuable swath of land that will be exposed in the heart of this city once the Biog Dig puts the highway underground.

WORCESTER, MA-Two development proposals come before the city's planning board but both face opposition from local residents. One project is an 84-unit cluster housing development while the other is a 104-unit over-55 continuing care retirement community.

BOXFORD, MA-The town's Community Preservation Committee wants to use funds from the Community Preservation Act to acquire a 135-acre parcel. This would be the first use of those funds from the Acta 3% surcharge on property taxeswhich was passed in this town last year.

BOSTON-The office of State Environmental Secretary Robert Durand continues its campaign to control development in the state, offering tools that will allow towns to anticipate its impact on their locales and see how different changes will affect their growth.

PROVIDENCE, RI-Delta Dental of Rhode Island purchases 10 Charles St., a 74,000-sf office building, from OneBeacon Insurance for $5.9 million. Delta, a current tenant, was looking for an opportunity to expand its offices.