North County

Officials in North Central Massachusetts celebrated the groundbreaking of the site of the future Wachusett Commuter Rail Station in West Fitchburg Monday, a key element of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Wachusett Extension project designed to reduce commute times to and from Boston.

Working capital loans are still available to businesses and nonprofit organizations impacted by the fire that destroyed the historic Columbia Hotel in downtown Leominster on Nov. 24, but the deadline for applications is Sept. 12, the U.S. Small Business Administration said.

Devens-based wind and power grid company AMSC reported first-quarter fiscal 2014 revenues that were 13 percent better than the fourth quarter of last year, but down compared with the same period last year, as it continues to work to regain its footing more than two years after losing its largest customer.

The VNA Care Network of Worcester has landed a $14,000 grant from The Tufts Health Foundation for a program that helps prevent senior citizens from falling.

The odds of Central Massachusetts becoming home to the state's only slots parlor improved Monday after the state gaming commission ruled the developers for the proposed site in Plainville as unqualified.

With Leominster and Millbury officials having signed host community agreements with developers, there are two Central Massachusetts...

Pinetree Power Fitchburg has been assessed a $600,000 fine by state environmental officials to resolve a series of alleged violations of emissions limits at its facility in Westminster.

Unitil Corp., the utility that serves Fitchburg, Lunenberg and Townsend, reported a loss of $100,000 for its most recent fiscal quarter, a 75-percent drop from the loss it declared in the second quarter of 2012.

Two Central Massachusetts communities will now vie for the state's lone slots parlor license after Millbury selectmen on Tuesday approved a host community agreement with the developer, Mass Gaming & Entertainment.

The Cordish Cos. has requested Sept. 24 as an election date for its Leominster slots parlor proposal and the city council is expected to vote on it tonight.