Greater Worcester

Pending single-family sales in Central Massachusetts increased in June, according to the state's Realtors' group, while confidence among its members statewide declined.

VitaThreads, a life sciences firm founded in 2012 by two Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) professors, said its signature product has passed a milestone after its testing in animals.

Wormtown Brewery of Worcester has been named grand national champion of this year's United States Open Beer Championship, a contest in which brewers vie for honors in 81 different categories.

Professional business services firm Marsh & McLennan, which has an office in Worcester, has named insurance industry executive Jerry Alderman as president of its New England property and casualty division.

Central Massachusetts is seen as an emerging leader in manufacturing, life sciences and health care in a recent report released by Citizens Bank.

Worcester-based Fallon Health has named two new executives to lead the health care services and insurance company's senior care services and government programs divisions.

A project designed to make it easier to travel around Worcester and promote the city is getting a $3-million funding boost from the city and state governments.

Worcester Credit Union is broadening its mortgage services through an agreement with an organization that has assigned a representative to work the financial institution, the credit union announced Monday.

Siemens Metals Technologies, which has operations in Worcester, has received an order from a Georgia firm to supply an aluminum rod system for a wire and cable manufacturer in the Middle Eastern emirate of Dubai, the company announced.

If you were planning to make the trip into the city or open your shop for the extra foot traffic Thursday brought in by the lure of July 4th fireworks, you have a couple of extra days.