North County

Four life science companies in Central Massachusetts received a combined $1.54 million in tax incentives to create 87 jobs in 2014, the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) announced Wednesday.

MassEcon, the state's private-sector economic development partner, unveiled 81 new sites that have been deemed ready to accommodate business tenants interested in locating in the Bay State.

Precision Optics Corp. Inc., of Gardner, said new and larger business contracts led to revenue that nearly doubled in the second quarter ending Dec. 31, according to an earnings statement.

For the past three years, it's been hard to get away from questions about gambling in Massachusetts. Headlines have been filled with proposals, disqualifications, public meetings and community votes. Within the next five weeks, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission plans to finally make one firm decision: where to site the state's only slots parlor.

Devens-based AMSC narrowed its losses in the third quarter ending Dec. 31, according to an earnings statement, while revenue increased due to growth in the clean energy firm's wind segment.

With 20 sites across the commonwealth – including locations in Worcester, Milford and Ayer - winning initial state approval to open medical marijuana dispensaries, the next step toward approval begins, a process that will focus heavily on local rules.

Unitil Corp., which provides power to business and residential customers in Ashby, Fitchburg, Lunenburg and Townsend, reported earnings of $21.6 million for the year, and $10.3 million for the fourth quarter which ended Dec. 31, representing respective increases of $3.5 million and $1.3 million.

Lowell-based Enterprise Bancorp Inc., which has branches in Acton, Fitchburg, Leominster and Westford, reported annual net income of $13.5 million for 2013, a 9-percent increase over 2012, in a milestone year for loan growth, according to an earnings statement.

Unemployment in Central Massachusetts held relatively steady in December and throughout the past year.

Gov. Deval Patrick on Wednesday presented his eighth and final budget proposal before he leaves office, filing a $36.4-billion spending plan for the next fiscal year that includes a $205 million increase for public education and investments in the life sciences, dental care for the poor, and caregivers who assist the state's neediest residents.