Gardner

Four organizations in Central Massachusetts received grants totaling more than $264,000 to help expand the collection of mattresses, textiles, and food materials as part of the Commonwealth Recycling and Reuse Business Development Grant program on Thursday.

After months of growing unemployment across Central Massachusetts communities, rates decreased in all three of the region’s metropolitan areas tracked by the state between February and March.

GFA Federal Credit Union in Gardner named Mark Hettinger as its new president and CEO on Tuesday.

Precision Optics Corp., Inc., in Gardner announced the appointment of Mahesh Lawande in the newly created role of chief operating officer.

The sciences companies in Central Massachusetts that received venture capital funding from 2018 to 2023.

Gov. Maura Healey said this week that she is looking forward to working with the Legislature on ways to fund free community college for Massachusetts residents over 25, after a representative questioned if the $20 million she earmarked for the program would be enough.

The directory is a list of organizations with a location in Central Massachusetts that support the life sciences industry, including contract research organizations, contract development and manufacturing organizations, and companies providing custom products, technologies, or other services.

Littleton-based Workers Credit Union promoted Robert DaSilva to the newly created position of senior vice president, chief lending officer.

Worcester nonprofit Spectrum Health Systems, a mental health and addiction treatment provider, has issued $137,000 in grants to organizations supporting those in recovery, seven of which are located in Worcester.

The Garbose Building at 2-10 Parker St. in downtown Gardner has been acquired for redevelopment by Candor Realty of Lowell, the latest in a series of investments in Gardner’s downtown.