Fitchburg

The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce is launching a third COVID-19 business impact survey aimed at tracking how the pandemic is affecting the local business economy, the organization announced this month.

Massachusetts cities most affected by the coronavirus pandemic have gotten additional state aid, including nearly $834,000 for four Central Massachusetts cities for mobile vaccination and other efforts.

The Worcester area's unemployment rate improved slightly in February. But that good news masks a lingering problem: the number of people working dropped for the second straight month.

Colleges in Central Massachusetts are due to receive an estimated $100 million among them under the latest federal pandemic aid program.

The North Central Massachusetts Development Corp. on Wednesday announced it had approved a $35,000 loan to the owners of Black Hydra Tattoo in Fitchburg: Emily Shortsleeves, Matt Gallagher, and Brad Touchette. 

Fitchburg and Worcester have each received $60,000 in state funds to help with small-business grants meant to aid overcoming the coronavirus pandemic.

Fitchburg State University is planning to have a fully in-person fall semester, while Worcester's Quinsigamond Community College is expecting a return to normalcy after a more than a year of remote learning.

The North Central Massachusetts Development Corp. announced Tuesday it has approved two loans amounting in $30,000 to go towards 290 Auto Body Inc. and American Transport, both in Worcester.

Six Central Massachusetts communities earned a total of seven state grants announced late Thursday aimed at improving urban neighborhoods.

The North Central Massachusetts Development Corp. has awarded Kimatra Maxwell, owner of Leominster mental health counseling provider Connecting to Greatness, a $20,000 loan, the Fitchburg organization announced on Wednesday.