MetroWest

House Democrats rolled out a major new spending initiative Wednesday, outlining a $693 million supplemental budget packed with funding for hospitals, collective bargaining agreements, special education and workers in the state's safety net system.

Atlanta-based developer Wood Partners, which is constructing a high-profile apartment complex in Worcester, completed the purchase of a downtown block in Marlborough for another project – its planned Alta Marlborough mixed-use development.

Framingham clean energy company Ameresco has signed a 20-year, eight-site contract with Colorado electric utility United Power to install a large battery system designed to improve the power grid.

MassDevelopment has expanded its Property Assessed Clean Energy Massachusetts program, once available only to existing buildings, to include new construction projects.

Pittsfield-based Berkshire Bank will permanently close two Central Massachusetts branches in Westborough and Marlborough, according to the June 30 activity report by the Massachusetts Division of Banks and Board of Bank Incorporation.

The owners of Canton-based Prestige Car Wash and Gas bought a portion of a Milford shopping plaza for $4.7 million. They plan to build a car wash on part of the site.

A three-story office and retail complex at 10-20 Main St. in Natick was sold to an investor for $2.4 million.

Amid uncertainty about a future recession, a pause in interest rate hikes, and a continuing tight labor market, Central Massachusetts business leaders turned pessimistic in June.

Ameresco, a Framingham-based clean energy and technology company, has secured four projects for California power plant sites.

An affiliate of Boston developer Boghos Properties purchased parcels of land totaling $3.6 million to build an approved 176-unit mixed-use development in Framingham.