Gardner

The Baker administration and municipal officials across Massachusetts expect to hear from the federal government within 30 days about their newly-submitted request for approval of 138 zones where new federal tax incentives could be used to spark investment in rural and low-income communities.

Mount Wachusett Community College is starting an initiative to attract veterinary technician students at Mount Ida College who will be displaced at the end of the semester.

Seven Central Massachusetts companies have been awarded more than $600,000 in state workforce training grants, including an ice cream shop in Hudson.

The quickly changing retail landscape took a new hit with the closure of a Sam's Club in Worcester in January and the impending closure of Toys “R” Us in Auburn, Leominster, Northborough, Millbury and Framingham.

The North Central Massachusetts Development Corp., has joined a national Small Business Administration lending program giving loans to businesses in underserved communities.

MassDevelopment has provided $28.2 million in financing to help pay for the construction of a three-story medical building to expand access to care on the Athol Hospital campus.

GateHouse Media, the owners of the Telegram & Gazette, Worcester Magazine and several other publications in Central Mass. and hundreds of newspapers across the country, is acquiring the Gardner News.

One local healthcare system is trying to stem opioid dependence and addiction through other pain relief options.

Greater Gardner Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Jim Bellina will leave his job in the next several months due to a family illness, the chamber announced Tuesday.

Chances are now very high daily community news coming out of Central Massachusetts will be from a publication owned by a large media corporation, with a strong commitment to the bottom line.