News from our members

Nashoba Valley Tech: Enroll in Winter 2019 Adult Classes Today

Attention: Business Owners, employees and community members
Evening adult Career Training and Personal Enrichment classes are starting soon at NCTI (at Nashoba Tech).
  • Unrestricted Construction Supervisor License Test Prep (starts Jan 28)
  • Hoisting License Test Prep, 2A/1C (starts Feb 27)
  • Floral Design Class (starts Feb 27)
  • Cake Decorating (starts March 4)

For more details: nashobatech.net/community_ed

Fitchburg Public Library: Harry Potter Book Night

Fitchburg Public Library presents…

Harry Potter Book Night!  February 6, 2019, 6-7:30 pm – Garden Room, Fitchburg Youth Library

Join us on February 6, 2019, from 6-7:30 pm for our 3rd Annual Harry Potter Book Night! This year’s theme is “Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry”!  There will opportunities to make magical crafts like origami sorting hats, personalized bookmarks, and glitter wands to help you in “school”.  There will be tests of your knowledge – from a Table Top Quidditch Tournament to Harry Potter trivia, and even special classes you can take in slime potion creation!  Make sure to take a picture at our photo booth of all of your enchantments and stop by our refreshment table to keep you alert!

Our new Teen Librarian, Colin Welch, will also be sharing the wonder of J.K. Rowling’s unforgettable stories and, most excitingly, introducing the next generation of readers to the unparalleled magic of Harry Potter.

Please check our calendar listing for more information.  All are free programs.  Free parking is available in the lot at the corner of Boulder Drive and Newton Place. For information about this or other Library programs call 978-829-1780 or visit our website: www.FitchburgPublicLibrary.org.

bankHometown donates $25,000 from 2018 Neighbors Helping Neighbors Campaign

OXFORD, Massachusetts: Matthew S. Sosik, President and CEO of bankHometown, announced that its 2018 Neighbors Helping Neighbors Campaign has resulted in total donations of $25,000. This is the 15th year that bankHometown has invited local residents and businesses to help support local food pantries as a way for the bank and its customers to reduce food insecurity in their communities.

Customers of the bank and community members were invited to be a “Hometown Hero” for a $1 donation or a “Hometown Superhero” for a $5 donation. In addition to the in-branch fund drive, bankHometown also invited business customers to support the campaign. bankHometown matched all of the donations dollar for dollar and split the funds among food pantries that serve the areas surrounding each of its thirteen offices in central Massachusetts and northeastern Connecticut. 

“Over the past 15 years, this campaign has evolved into a successful and collaborative effort from customers, community members and our employees, to support local food pantries that need help with inventory during the holidays. We are proud to be an example of Neighbors Helping Neighbors,” said Sosik.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors donations benefit (in MA) the Auburn Youth and Family Services, Inc. Food Pantry (Auburn), CARE Food Pantry (Clinton), Food Share (Southbridge, Charlton & Sturbridge), Ginny’s Helping Hand, Inc. (Leominster), Oxford Ecumenical Food Shelf (Oxford), Salvation Army (Athol), St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry (Webster); (in CT) Daily Bread (Putnam), Friends of Assisi (Killingly), and Thompson Ecumenical Empowerment Group (TEEG) (Thompson).  

To date, more than $167,500 has been distributed through this program.

bankHometown is a member of the Hometown Financial Group. Founded in 1889 as Hometown Bank, bankHometown is headquartered in Oxford, Massachusetts, bankHometown has 13 branches located throughout central Massachusetts and northeastern Connecticut. For more information, please visit www.hometowncoop.com. 

Hometown Financial Group, a $2.1 billion mutual holding company headquartered in Easthampton, Massachusetts, is the parent company of bankESB and bankHometown. Both banking franchises offer a complete line of commercial, business, and consumer banking and lending products and services to customers through its 24 branches located throughout western and central Massachusetts and northeastern Connecticut. For more information on Hometown Financial Group please visit www.bankhfg.com.

bankHometown Kicks off 16th Annual Pajama Drive for Local Children in need during the Holidays

OXFORD, MA:  bankHometown kicked off their 16th annual pajama drive on November 26th with a challenge to residents to help support local children in need of new pajamas or slippers. 

From now until December 15th, all 13 bankHometown branches will be accepting pajama donations for children sizes 4T and up, as well as small and medium sizes in men and women. Pajamas must be in complete sets (top and bottom) or an appropriate nightgown. The pajamas and slippers will go to local shelters throughout central Massachusetts and northern Connecticut.

“We believe in giving back to our community all year round, but especially for children during the winter and holiday season,” said Matthew Sosik, President and CEO of bankHometown. “This initiative is to give children in our communities the warmth and comfort they may need during the cold winter nights.”

The pajamas and slippers are sent to local schools in central Massachusetts and northern Connecticut, as well as the TEEG (Thompson Ecumenical Empowerment Group) in Thompson, Connecticut. 

bankHometown was founded in 1889 and is headquartered in Oxford, Massachusetts, bankHometown has 13 branches located throughout central Massachusetts and northeastern Connecticut. For more information, please visit www.hometowncoop.com. 

Hometown Financial Group (HFG), a $2.1 billion mutual holding company headquartered in Easthampton, Massachusetts, is the parent company of bankESB and bankHometown. Both banking franchises offer a complete line of commercial, business, and consumer products to customers throughout its 24 branches located throughout western and central Massachusetts and northeastern Connecticut. For more information on Hometown Financial Group, please visit www.bankhfg.com.

Wreaths Across America 2018

Wreaths Across America is a nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery and other Military Cemeteries.

This year’s ceremony will be held on Saturday, 15 December, 2018, at 10:00 AM.

If you would like to sponsor a wreath to be placed on a veteran’s grave during the wreath ceremony that will be held at the Fort Devens Post Cemetery, please access the Wreaths Across America link above. This link will take you directly to the Wreaths Across America Fort Devens Post Cemetery site.

https://donate.wreathsacrossamerica.org/?pageId=16164&relatedIds=18216,32274

  • The first step is to click on the link provided at the top of this page. 
  • Then look to the bottom of the page and you will see the RED “Sponsor a Wreath” button. Click the button.
  • At the top of the next page, follow the instructions to choose how many wreaths you wish to donate and for messages and invites.
  • Follow the directions through the next series of pages to complete the donation. You may pay with either credit card or PayPal.
  • Mission complete.

* If Internet Explorer does not work, please try Google Chrome.

The Wreath(s) will then be shipped directly to the Fort Devens Supply Facility (Central Receiving Point) for temporary storage and held there until 15 December, 2018, at which time the Wreath(s) will be transported to the Fort Devens Cemetery for placement on a Veteran’s grave.  

 All are welcome to attend and participate in the ceremony.

Thank you for your support!

Wachusett Incubator Seeks Executive Director

Wachusett Business Incubator, a 501c3, is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Executive Director to manage and market the Wachusett Business Incubator. This position is located at 35 Sanborn St.,Gardner, MA 01440. The ideal candidate will be motivated by a sense of civic duty and a desire to come help us “change the world.” This is initially a volunteer position with the potential for a grant funded salary.

JOB DESCRIPTION Title: Executive Director

Qualifications:

  • Successful candidates will possess a BA/BS or MA/MS in a relevant technology or business discipline. Graduate degree preferred.
  • Evidence of strong organizational, interpersonal and communications skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to network within the business community.
  • Ability to work with diverse groups including businesses, entrepreneurs, major corporations,universities, the public and economic development organizations.
  • Ability to operate as a business professional and an effective educator and show evidence of awillingness to fulfill both roles.

    Strongly desired:

  • Experience as a successful new business owner, or track record of working successfully with start-ups.
  • Experience in being part of growing company management team with supervisory experience and beinga team player.
  • Previous record of building strong networks with business leaders
  • Experience desired in any aspect of small business such banking, or personally owning and/or operatinga commercial venture

    Working Relationships:

• Maintain a positive rapport with clients, mentors, support staff, board of directors, and administration as needed to carry out job responsibilities in a professional manner.

Management:

  • Possess the ability to identify and recruit potential clients for the Wachusett Business Incubator; discerning their readiness to start or expand a business.
  • Possess skills required to instruct and assist clients in the areas of business plan development, market analysis, identification of and process to apply for sources of capital for business development and growth.
  • Possess skills required to manage landlord/tenant relationships for the Wachusett Business Incubator including structural and operational procedures.
  • Develop and maintain partnerships with other public and/or private organizations which provide business development assistance for the benefit of clients.For more information please contact:
    M. Paul Carlberg, Secretary, Wachusett Business Incubator Board of Directors at 978-430-0100, pcarlberg@gmail.com

Essential Job Functions:

  • Facilitate strategic planning for clients.
  • Develop informational sessions and programs for clients on issues relevant to startup companies.
  • Act as liaison between public and private sectors, such as Chambers of Commerce, in application andimplementation of business development programs.
  • Establish a professional advisory committee, as directed by the board of directors, for clients. Developa mentoring relationship between advisory committee and client companies as opportunity allows.
  • Keep accurate files and records of each client company and any related correspondence.
  • Keep current on all services of the Wachusett Business Incubator in order to cross-sell its services toclients and the public.
  • Promote the Wachusett Business Incubator, its programs, at every available opportunity, with specificresponsibilities for recruitment and promotion. Manage marketing communications.

    Other Responsibilities include:

  • Developing strategic goals and objectives for the client service programs;
  • Assisting in preparing the annual budget;
  • Facilitating the negotiation and structure of client agreements and leases; including the collection ofrents and fees;
  • Perform as a liaison between the clients, businesses and the Wachusett Business Incubator throughoutthe region.
  • Monitoring progress of client companies;
  • Establishing linkage for client funding opportunities via venture capital/equity firms and angel networks;
  • Coordinating and planning Wachusett Business Incubator client advisory team and mentor meetings;
  • Assisting in planning and organizing Wachusett Business Incubator events;
  • Coordinating the activities of various committees;
  • Presenting operating results to Chair;
  • Serving as a primary client interface for Wachusett Business Incubator programs;
  • Providing leadership and establishing criteria to monitor program performance;
  • Developing tools and processes for program management and innovation efforts;
  • Attending Organization meetings as required; and other duties as assigned by the Chair of the Board ofDirectors, or his/her designee.

For more information please contact: M. Paul Carlberg, Secretary, Wachusett Business Incubator Board of Directors, at 978-430-0100, pcarlberg@gmail.com

Advertising Opportunities in the Manufacturers Directory

Don’t get left out! The North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation is getting ready to publish the 2019 edition of the Manufacturers Directory and Industrial Parks Guide for North Central Massachusetts. 

This publication is the region’s most comprehensive collection of this specialized information, outlining available industrial sites and local manufacturing related businesses, describing products, contact information and more. The directory is designed to promote and connect manufacturers with suppliers as well as serve as a resource for companies looking to relocate or expand throughout the region. Ad rates start at just $350. Please email Yasmin Loft at yloft@northcentralmass.com for more information or to reserve your advertisement.

2018 Fitchburg Toy Drive

Elite Construction & Design, Inc. will be helping to coordinate the toy drive for the Fitchburg school system this year for the 4th time.  They have approximately 300 children between the ages of 5 – 10 that are homeless and in need of Christmas gifts.  The last three years were such a great success that the cause continues. Last year Elite Construction & Design, Inc. donated over $4,000 worth of toys and clothes!  If you would like to donate to this wonderful cause, they are accepting checks made payable to Elite Construction which will be used towards gifts that they will purchase or they would accept any new unwrapped gifts dropped off to their donation box at their office at 431 Westminster Street, Fitchburg, MA  01420.  Your company name will be acknowledged in the article that will be written. If you have any questions please call Lesa Bourgeois at (978) 597-5071.