Leominster

Lawmakers appear increasingly likely to make hospital expansions and closures an area of scrutiny this session, fueled in part by the planned shutdown of a Leominster maternity ward that has drawn vociferous criticism.

The local unemployment rate in Central Massachusetts communities remained low in May, including falling further from April figures in the North Worcester County region.

About half a dozen legislators from the greater Leominster area did not mince words during a committee hearing Tuesday, alleging that UMass Memorial Health is putting undue strain on Bay Staters with the closure plans its leaders announced last month.

Waltham-based utility National Grid will donate $800,000 to eight chambers of commerce in Massachusetts, including $100,000 to the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce in Fitchburg.

People are on the move at UMass Memorial Medical Group, Fidelity Bank, and Clark University.

Bisousweet Confections will renovate and purchase equipment for its new 20,000-square-foot facility in Leominster with a $1.25 million loan from MassDevelopment.

RE/MAX Diverse, based on Shrewsbury Street in Worcester, acquired RE/MAX Patriot Realty and will take over its 55 Mead St. office in Leominster.

A Worcester-based group of angel investors has banded together to form Wire Group, which invests up to $150,000 a year in high-growth startups and has already made three commitments to Massachusetts companies.

UMass Memorial Health intends to shut down its maternity ward at the HealthAlliance-Clinton Hospital, Leominster Campus this fall. Legislators and the nurses union oppose the proposal.

People are on the move at ERA Key Realty, Cunningham Equities, and more Central Massachusetts businesses.