Entries by northcentralmass

Chamber’s Economic Development Arm Closes Out a Successful Year

The Chamber’s economic development affiliate, the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation (NCMDC), completed its fiscal year on September 30, 2020. The NCMDC works in partnership with local banks, credit unions, chambers of commerce and area nonprofits to support emerging microenterprises, small businesses, and community projects in North Central Massachusetts with loans and technical assistance.  The […]

North Central Mass Development Corp Provides Funding to Three Downtown Fitchburg Businesses

The North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation (NCMDC) recently approved three loans totaling $55,000 to Strong Style Coffee, Bion Greek Kitchen and Mi Rinconcito Salvadoreno in Downtown Fitchburg.   Strong Style Coffee, owned and operated by Kimberly Jones on 37 Boulder Drive in Fitchburg, is a coffee shop that serves as a comfortable space where patrons […]

Tourism Update

The Chamber’s tourism arm, Visit North Central Massachusetts (VNCM), has developed its annual marketing plan to promote the region. As a result of the pandemic, VNCM plans to strategically shift its marketing resources in FY2021 to focus on helping our regional economy recover quickly and effectively from the disruption. The restaurants, retailers, hoteliers, farms and […]

North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation Receives Federal Loan to Recapitalize Microloan Program

The North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation has received a $500,000 loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration to bolster its micro-lending program and expand its lending efforts to support small businesses in the region. The loan must be repaid over a ten year period. Grant dollars the NCMDC received from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts were […]

North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation Accepting Limited Number of PPP Applications

The North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation, the economic development arm of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, is now accepting applications for the SBA Paycheck Protection Program. Applications are limited to small businesses, sole proprietorships, independent contractors, self-employed persons, and non-profit organizations who are unable to apply through a local bank or credit union […]

Tourism Update: Winter Season Wrap-Up

Here is an update on the work of our tourism arm – Visit North Central Massachusetts – over the Winter to promote and market North Central Massachusetts as a destination for visitors and groups.  We continued to utilize a diverse mix of digital and print advertising in target markets to promote the region, including geo-targeted […]

Tourism Update | Fall 2019 Wrap-up

Fall is notably North Central Massachusetts’ biggest season, and when you live, work and play in the region coined “Johnny Appleseed Country,” who can argue with that? Visit North Central Massachusetts was hard at work all autumn long, showcasing the region’s finest to visitors and groups near and far. We promoted visitation to North Central […]

Chamber Speaks Out as State House Acts on Tourism and Education

The Chamber’s advocacy efforts came to a head this past month, as Beacon Hill took up legislation addressing education and support for the Commonwealth’s growing tourism industry. As is often the case, both these proposals moved through the Legislature with incredible speed, requiring a quick reaction from the Chamber’s staff.  Regarding funding for public schools, […]