Leominster

VP Auto Repair and Mechanical of Leominster will receive a $50,000 loan for improvements and equipment, approved by the North Central Massachusetts Development Corp. which is the economic development arm of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce in Fitchburg.

Communities in Worcester County and neighboring MetroWest communities received $3.4 million in grants from the Massachusetts Shared Streets and Spaces Grant Program for improvements benefitting pedestrians, cyclists, and riders of public transportation.

A 20,000-square-foot manufacturing building at 45 Francis St. in Leominster has sold for $1.65 million, according to the Worcester North District Registry of Deeds.

Connecting to Greatness, a small Leominster business providing mental health counseling, has received a $25,000 loan for an expansion into telehealth.

The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce graduated 17 local professionals as part of the Class of 2022 from its Community Leadership Institute, during which they established a foundation and supported community needs.

After 10 years of owning the Gazbar Sports Grill in Leominster, Erica Grinkis is working on a few small projects to keep the eatery fun and enticing, but its main goal is to keep the space familiar to regulars.

Agree Realty Corp. of Michigan, a real estate investment trust specializing in the acquisition and development of retail properties, has purchased 33 Orchard Hill Park Drive, the location of a Best Buy store in Leominster’s Orchard Hill Park shopping center for $7.9 million.

Pennsylvania real estate investor EQT Exeter fueled its expansion into New England with the acquisition of a 64,000-square-foot warehouse in Northborough for $18 million.

Companies with new hires and promotions include Workplace Resource, MassHire Central Regional Workforce Board, Leominster Credit Union, and Bay State Savings Bank.

Greater Worcester’s unemployment rate rose slightly from 3.4% to 3.5% from April to May, as most other metropolitan areas reported gains in overall employment.