2026 Robert S. Bowditch Economic Development Award

Chacharone Family

The WBDC is pleased to announce the 2026 recipients of the Robert S. Bowditch Economic Development Award: The Chacharone Family.

The Worcester Business Development Corporation is proud to recognize the Chacharone family as the 2026 recipient of the Robert S. Bowditch Economic Development Award for their outstanding contributions to commercial real estate development and their lasting impact on economic growth throughout Central Massachusetts.

The Chacharone family’s story is one of vision, entrepreneurship, and long-term investment in the region. In 1982, James “Jim” Chacharone founded C&S Construction Co., Inc., building quality residential homes across Central Massachusetts. Just two years later, Jim expanded into commercial development with his first project at 165–181 Cedar Hill Street in Marlborough, a 47,000-square-foot office/flex building. That property marked the beginning of what would become an extraordinary legacy of commercial real estate development.

In 1987, Jim established Aster Group to acquire and develop commercial real estate, soon dedicating his efforts full-time to growing the company. Over the decades, the firm built an impressive portfolio of more than 25 commercial properties spanning Central Massachusetts, with the majority located in Worcester.

The family business continued to grow with the addition of Jim’s sons, Nick and Mel, who joined the company in 1999 and 2014, respectively. In 2015, reflecting the family’s deep personal investment in the company’s future, Aster Group was renamed Chacharone Properties.

Today, Chacharone Properties is a full-service real estate development firm offering design-build services and property management, with a reputation for transforming properties into productive, community-enhancing assets. Their work has created nearly two million square feet of prime commercial property in one of Massachusetts’ most dynamic regions for economic growth.

Among their many notable projects is the Silver Hammer Award-winning redevelopment of 454 Grove Street in Worcester, which transformed the former Walker Ice and Coal Warehouse into the Worcester Boston Billiard Club. Their development of the 50,000-square-foot manufacturing facility for Table Talk Pies at 25 Southgate Street helped revitalize Worcester’s Main South neighborhood while supporting one of the city’s most iconic businesses. More recently, their redevelopment of the former Allegro campus at 115 Northeast Cutoff reflects a bold vision to establish a premier biotech destination in the region. Their portfolio also includes Chadwick Court, the 50,000-square-foot Class A office building at One West Boylston Street.

Through decades of thoughtful development, strategic investment, and a steadfast commitment to Central Massachusetts, the Chacharone family has helped shape the commercial landscape of Worcester and beyond. Their legacy exemplifies the spirit of innovation, perseverance, and community-minded leadership that this award was created to honor.

Past Bowditch Award Recipients