Fitchburg

Four life science companies in Central Massachusetts received a combined $1.54 million in tax incentives to create 87 jobs in 2014, the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) announced Wednesday.

Unitil Corp., which provides power to business and residential customers in Ashby, Fitchburg, Lunenburg and Townsend, reported earnings of $21.6 million for the year, and $10.3 million for the fourth quarter which ended Dec. 31, representing respective increases of $3.5 million and $1.3 million.

Lowell-based Enterprise Bancorp Inc., which has branches in Acton, Fitchburg, Leominster and Westford, reported annual net income of $13.5 million for 2013, a 9-percent increase over 2012, in a milestone year for loan growth, according to an earnings statement.

Manufacturers based in North Central Massachusetts will now have new access to renewable electricity, thanks to a new contract between the North Central Massachusetts Development Corp. (NCMDC) and Nugen Capital Management LLC to generate net metering credits from a new solar facility to be built in Lunenburg.

Fitchburg-based Arrhythmia Research Technology Inc. announced the closing of its offering of notes and warrants to purchase $500,000 in common stock.

An expert in business revitalization will become Fitchburg's director of economic development and chief marketing officer next week.

Arrhythmia Research Technology of Fitchburg saw a 4.7 percent drop in revenue for the third quarter, but substantially cut its losses as the medical device manufacturer touted several victories from July through September, the company said today.

The Athol Area United Way will become part of the United Way of North Central Massachusetts, bringing together two key charitable-giving organizations that serve the northern swath of Central Massachusetts.

UMass Memorial Health Care is bracing for layoffs as well as other cost-cutting measures in the face of a projected $57-million operating loss for its recently completed fiscal year.

Three Central Massachusetts organizations have won grant money that will help boost the formation and development of small businesses.