News from our members

ConvenientMD Awards $2,500 Scholarship to Leominster High School Senior

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ConvenientMD Awards $2,500 Scholarship to Leominster High School Senior

ConvenientMD presents its student scholarship award at its Leominster urgent care clinic. Pictured here is award recipient Abigail Barnaby, along with members of ConvenientMD’s Leominster clinic and Scholarship Selection Committee.

Leominster High School Senior Abigail Barnaby was recently awarded a $2,500 scholarship from ConvenientMD Urgent Care. ConvenientMD’s Student Scholarship Program has expanded to award ten $2,500 scholarships to high school seniors from Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts who plan to pursue post-secondary education in the healthcare field. There were nearly 800 applications for this year’s scholarship awards.

“ConvenientMD is honored to play a role in shaping the healthcare leaders of tomorrow. These scholarships will provide much needed support to these students pursuing post-secondary education in healthcare,” said Massachusetts Director of Operations Bridgette Adams.

“Our Social Impact Committee was impressed to see Abigial’s commitment to academic success, while also finding time to engage and excel in extracurriculars,” said ConvenientMD Community Partnerships Manager Morgan Faustino.

ConvenientMD is New England’s leading urgent care provider. Its clinics, including the location at 20 Commercial Road in Leominster, are open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. to serve the community’s immediate medical needs – no appointment necessary. Learn more at ConvenientMD.com.

About ConvenientMD
Headquartered in Portsmouth, NH, ConvenientMD is a walk-in and virtual healthcare provider dedicated to delivering the best medical care and experience for patients throughout New England. By offering fast, quality care at an affordable rate, ConvenientMD is raising the bar for urgent care and reshaping the delivery of modern healthcare. Each urgent care center provides an advanced array of services—including X-rays, IVs, labs, and minor surgical procedures—as well as staff committed to following an innovative, full-service approach to satisfying patients’ demands for convenient, compassionate treatment in an urgent care setting.

Beers For Good $1000 Donation to Fitchburg Civic Days

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Beers For Good $1000 Donation to Fitchburg Civic DaysMembers of Beers For Good present a $1,000 donation to Mayor Sam Squailia and Fitchburg Civic Days on behalf of the Nashua River Brewers Festival. Beers For Good has donated more than $85,000 in proceeds from the annual festival to local charities since 2008. Tickets are now on sale for the 14th Nashua River Brewers Festival – featuring 30+ brewers, live music, food and fun – on June 29 at Fitchburg’s Riverfront Park.

Using Canva for Your Business

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Join Wachusett Business Incubator for a one-hour class that will show you how to use the free version of Canva for your business marketing and printing needs. Topics include logo creation, print options, and sizing for online marketing.

Bring your questions as there will be time for Questions and Answers.

Light refreshments will be provided.

Space is limited. Register today!

Presented by: Kat Deal, owner of Elevated Graphic Designs

Register Now

Wachusett Business Incubator Entrepreneur 101 Class

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Friday, June 14th – 9 AM – 12 PM
Location – MWCC – Leominster
Cost – FREE but requires registration.

Entrepreneurship 101: Presentation Agenda

Part 1: Introduction to Entrepreneurship – Dr. Mike Greenwood
Overview: Discuss the entrepreneurial mindset and key characteristics of successful entrepreneurs.
Opportunity Identification: Briefly cover methods to identify and assess business opportunities.

Part 2: Developing the Business Idea – Dr. Mike Greenwood
Idea Generation: Share techniques for brainstorming and creative thinking.
Validation: Introduce basic validation tools like market feasibility and the Lean Startup approach.

Part 3: Essentials of Business Planning – John Lohmann
Business Plan Components: Outline the structure of a simple business plan.
Goal Setting and Financial Basics: Highlight how to set realistic goals and basic financial projections.

Part 4: Marketing and Sales Overview – John Lohmann
Marketing Basics: Brief discussion on creating a marketing strategy and understanding the target market.
Sales Fundamentals: Introduce basic sales techniques and the importance of customer relationships.

Part 5: Funding and Legal Considerations – Sandie Cataldo
Financing Options: Overview of different funding avenues like bootstrapping, loans, and investors.
Legal Basics: Discuss the importance of choosing the right business structure and understanding regulatory requirements.

Register Now

Buy Black Market to Transform Fitchburg City Hall into a Celebration of Juneteenth

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Prepare for an exceptional takeover of Fitchburg City Hall this Juneteenth. CoFF33 Corp is thrilled to announce the inaugural Buy Black Market Juneteenth Celebration, scheduled for Wednesday, June 19th, 2024, from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM. This festival-like event will utilize every corner of the historic venue for activities that entertain, educate, and empower.

This vibrant event will combine the communal spirit of a neighborhood cookout with the entrepreneurial energy of Black Wall Street, creating an exhilarating environment where education meets jubilation. With a dynamic lineup of local entrepreneurs, artists, and thinkers, the celebration is set to be a focal point of culture and community connection.

Event Details:

Location: Fitchburg City Hall, 718 Main St, Fitchburg, MA

Date & Time: June 19th, 2024, 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Event Highlights:

  • Marketplace Vibes on the First Floor: Stroll through a bustling market featuring local Black-owned businesses showcasing everything from artisan crafts to tech innovations.
  • Musical Soul on the Second Floor: Let loose with performances from DJ Renzo, Provenance, Nasih, and J. Jordan of JoE GriZzLy, alongside an array of spoken word artists who embody the rhythmic heart of African American culture.
  • Engaging Minds on the Third Floor: Engage with speakers like Demetrice Phillips, Rev. Annie Belmer, and other luminaries who will delve into topics from Fitchburg’s role in the abolitionist movement to the ongoing influence of Black-owned enterprises.

The Buy Black Market Juneteenth Celebration is more than just a gathering; it’s a platform for honoring the roots of Juneteenth, celebrating today’s achievements of the Black community, and fostering the growth of tomorrow’s leaders. The event is open to all and welcomes the public with suggested donations at the entrance to support local Black-owned businesses and community empowerment initiatives.

This program is supported by the Fitchburg Creative City Partnership, funded by MassDevelopment/TDI and the Barr Foundation as part of the larger Creative Cities initiative. This support underscores the event’s significance in fostering community engagement and economic development.

Come be part of something historic — celebrate, learn, and connect at the heart of Fitchburg!

For more details or to get involved as a vendor or performer, please visit our website at https://www.coff33corp.org/buyblackmarket or contact us at .

Berkshire Bank Expands Efforts to Support Small Businesses 

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Berkshire Bank, a relationship-driven, community-focused bank in New England and New York, has joined an effort by the Massachusetts State Treasurer’s Office to help support small businesses through Investing For the Long-Term Initiative (Invest MA), the state’s new program to provide small businesses enhanced access to capital.

Invest MA aims to promote small business growth by providing creditworthy enterprises in Massachusetts with greater access to bank loans. The program shifts $500 million in state cash deposits under the control of the Treasurer to Massachusetts banks like Berkshire that are committed to expanding their small business lending in the Commonwealth.

“Small businesses are the lifeblood of the economy, accounting for more than 85% of all businesses in Massachusetts,” said Denise Thompson, senior vice president and director of Small Business Credit & Operations at Berkshire Bank. “We’re committed to helping those businesses create the jobs and new opportunities that contribute to the vibrancy and success of their communities.”

To read the full release, please visit; 2021-2024 Media Releases | Press Releases | Berkshire Bank

Solvus Global Named Small Manufacturer of the Year

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Solvus Global Named Small Manufacturer of the YearWorcester-based advanced manufacturing technology company innovates and incubates, collaborating with government, industry and academia

The Small Business Administration (SBA) has named Solvus Global the 2024 Small Manufacturer of the Year for Massachusetts.

Solvus Global is a technology solution provider for materials and manufacturing, specializing in the areas of additive manufacturing, machine learning, and sustainable materials processing.

Dr. Aaron Birt and Dr. Sean Kelly earned the recognition as leading experts in various fields including machine learning, materials and manufacturing with a passion for using technology to develop solutions for critical industry problems.

“It’s amazing seeing how far a homegrown enterprise such as Solvus Global has come,” said District Director Robert Nelson. “The SBDC Central Regional Office at Clark University and the SCORE Worcester Chapter providing mentorship and counseling proved vital to the company’s journey to scale.”

Solvus Global leveraged SBA lending, including an equipment line of credit and a revolving line of credit for operating expenses to support their expansion. In addition, a Paycheck Protection Program loan helped keep staff employed with the business until recovery from the pandemic.

In 2019, the rapid growth of the company required shifting from Solvus Global’ s first office and lab space into the 8,000 sq. ft. facility – now the global headquarters in Worcester, MA. Through a partnership with Army Research Laboratory and VRC Metal Systems, Solvus Global additionally operates out of a collaborative production and R&D facility in Webster, MA.

In 2021, Solvus Global renovated an existing 32,000 sq. ft. warehouse into a Center for Scaled Innovations (cSIM) in Manufacturing to grow large production and workforce development in the City of Leominster.

“It’s an honor to be recognized as Small Manufacturer of the Year. Growing up in the area, it has been so exciting to see the resurgence of manufacturing in the region and we’re grateful for the support we’ve had from leaders in the region to have the opportunity to be part of that growth,” said Dr. Sean Kelly.

With support from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), Solvus Global has established an internship program with local colleges and universities such as Quinsigamond Community College and Worcester Polytechnic Institute to prepare the next generation of advanced manufacturing workforce in the North Central Massachusetts region.

The number of employees at Solvus Global has risen from 3 co-founders to 90 employees today.

“We exist to solve problems in the manufacturing technology industry, but at the end of the day it’s all about the people. Ideas are easy to come by, but really execution is that hard part and you can’t do that without amazing people like the ones on our team at Solvus,” says Dr. Aaron Birt.

The company was nominated by Patrick Royce, Vice President, Webster Five Bank.

Dr. Birt and Dr. Kelly will be honored at the annual National Small Business Week Massachusetts Awards Ceremony on Friday, May 10th, 2024, at the Doubletree Andover.

Peter Capodagli to be Honored with the 27th Annual Boulder Award

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Fitchburg Access Television (FATV) and its Board of Directors proudly announce Peter Capodagli as the recipient of the 27th annual Boulder Award for his exceptional contributions to community media and civic engagement. FATV will also present three member awards during the ceremony.

FATV’s Boulder Award is bestowed upon individuals “For outstanding contributions to civic life through the use of public communications.” The award will be presented during an evening of celebration at Oak Hill Country Club in Fitchburg, MA on May 2nd, 2024. Doors open at Five O’clock with the dinner program beginning at Six O’clock. The public is invited to attend with a reservation.

Past winners of the FATV Boulder Award include Ellen DiGeronimo, David Clark, Lusia Fernandez, Stephen DiNatale, Barbara Foster, Bill Gates and more. FATV is honored to include Peter Capodagli on this list of prestigious winners over the past 27 years.

In addition to the Boulder Award, FATV Member Awards will be presented to David Suárez for Podcast of the Year, Christopher Landry for Producer of the Year and to Kevin Cormier for the Romolo Testarmata Award. Also recognized will be the winner of the 2024 FATV Robert Wilson Scholarship, Fitchburg State University student Skye Goba.

Tickets to the Boulder Award Dinner are available at FATV, 780 Main Street, or by calling 978-343-0834. Tickets must be purchased no later than Friday, April 26th. The cost of tickets are $40 each for the buffet dinner consisting of Prime Rib and Chicken, salad, vegetable and dessert.

Founded in 1987, Fitchburg Access Television (FATV) is an independent, not-for-profit organization operating the non-commercial Public, Civic and Government Access Channels for the city of Fitchburg. FATV provides equipment, training and channel time to its members for the purposes of building community, empowering the individual and ensuring First Amendment expression through the use of television technology. FATV maintains a state-of-the-art local access facility on Main Street, in the heart of downtown Fitchburg. To learn more visit www.fatv.org

City of Fitchburg rolls out a new Vacant Property Registry to combat blight and encourage development.

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This month, the City of Fitchburg begins implementation of its new Vacant Property Registry.

The City’s Problem Property Task Force has been working collaboratively, for over a decade, to address problem properties in order to improve the quality of life for our residents, neighborhoods and businesses. Trends and themes that continue to be a challenge generally fall into two categories; severely neglected properties and vacant properties. Vacant properties can have a whole host of unintended consequences that impact the community around them. These potentially unsafe buildings can attract curious kids and unhoused folks, pests can take shelter and start breeding, the blight of a vacant building(s), can lower property values for abutters and entire neighborhoods, and the often uninsured properties can become fire hazards.

In late 2022, the City adopted a vacant property registry in order address some of these challenges and protect and preserve public health, safety, and the quality of life in the City of Fitchburg.

The new initiative will require both residential and commercial property owners to register and properly maintain any 100% vacant, abandoned, foreclosed, or foreclosing residential or commercial property. Owners will pay an initial $100 registration fee, and will have to renew the registration annually. The renewal fees will escalate each year; the first anniversary renewal will be $250, the second will be $2,500, third and each anniversary thereafter will be $3,500. The fees charged are reflective of the administrative costs of monitoring and ensuring property maintenance of these vacant or abandoned buildings and may be used to fund proper maintenance if property owners fail to do so. Owners can register vacant properties on-line at fitchburgma.portal.opengov.com/.

The City understands sometimes it is unavoidable for a property to be vacant for a period of time. However, for those owners who have held vacant property in Fitchburg for many years, it’s time for them to either develop the property and get it occupied, or sell to someone who will develop the property. In this era of housing shortage and rising housing costs throughout the Commonwealth, now is the time for action- and Fitchburg can be a part of the solution.

Detached, single family homes actively being marketed by a realtor or owner of record and listed for sale on multiple listing service, and properties being developed for affordable housing under certain conditions are exempt from this requirement.

If you would like to report a vacant or potentially vacant property to the City, you can do so through your SeeClickFix smartphone app or through the City’s Report a Concern Page here: www.ci.fitchburg.ma.us/139/Report-a-Concern.

For more information about this please contact Stephen D. Curry, Health Director. You can find the complete vacant property registration ordinance Chapter 137 of the City Code here: ecode360.com/41971911.