North County

It isn't beer, but hard cider and spirits – rum, vodka and the like – Americans are drinking more of.

Continuing education is key to remaining competitive in our rapidly changing economy. This applies not only to individuals, but businesses. An educated workforce is a huge asset in an industry.

Gardner manufacturer of advanced optical equipment Precision Optics has reduced its losses in fiscal 2018 by more than 65 percent, according to its fiscal year end earnings report.

Eye Surgeons of Worcester has merged with D'Ambrosio Eye Care, a practice with five offices across Central Massachusetts.

The Worcester-area unemployment rate dipped to 3.8 percent in August from the 4.2 percent in July, according to the state's non-seasonally adjusted labor figures.

A 32-unit housing development with nine homes set aside under affordability restrictions has been approved in Sherborn.

Marijuana regulators have completed at least one final inspection of a retail marijuana shop and more are scheduled.

An 80,000-square-foot manufacturing building and parking lot in Clinton has sold to a real estate firm for $3.4 million.

It appears that the Cannabis Control Commission's final go-ahead for a retail marijuana store to open will not come this week, pushing the opening of the first retail shop into at least October.

A new coworking facility - the Wachusett Business Incubator - will launch next week.