A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held last month to celebrate the opening of Solvus Global’s new Center for Scaled Innovation in Manufacturing at 272 Nashua St. in partnership with North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce and the city, attracting local and state officials as well as interested parties.

Solvus Global is a technology-solution provider for materials and manufacturing founded in 2017 specializing in the areas of additive manufacturing, machine learning and sustainable materials processing. Headquartered in Worcester, it now operates out of three locations — research and manufacturing facilities in both Leominster and Worcester and a collaborative center in Webster.

Solvus Global co-founder and CEO Aaron Birt said the goal of cSIM is to create a place where innovative manufacturing solutions can be scaled from their research and development facility in Worcester and demonstrated in full production environments.

“It’s really a showcase of how government, industry and academia can come together to solve major supply chain challenges that we face as a country today,” he said.

Birt said two primary products will be coming out of the cSIM facility.

“One will be specialty powder materials that serve the cold spray industry, a growing community that specializes in both 3D printing and repair of legacy parts that are worn out or damaged,” he said. “The second is what we call production of large format additive components, which are parts at least one foot by one foot by one foot that are typically made of specialty materials like Inconel or titanium. We will be fabricating, treating and finishing these parts for our customers across the defense and industry sectors.”

Christine Nolan, director of the Center for Advanced Manufacturing at the MassTech Collaborative based in Westborough, said cSIM is important for the greater community, as it will benefit those beyond Leominster as well.

“Companies like Solvus show local students that today’s manufacturing jobs are not the repetitive or dirty jobs of the past but are high-tech careers that call for teamwork, an interest in cutting-edge digital tools, and critical thinking,” she said. “North Central Massachusetts is full of innovative, high-tech manufacturers like Solvus, places where Massachusetts students can find rewarding career opportunities once they graduate.”

MassTech Collaborative jointly manages the Massachusetts Manufacturing Innovation Initiative, or M2I2, grant program along with the Commonwealth’s Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development. During the ribbon-cutting, Nolan announced a new $1.6 million M212 grant to Solvus Global and its partner, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, which will support both an infrastructure investment, establishing a first-of-its-kind, fully automated robotic Arc-DED (Direct Energy Deposition) manufacturing line, along with an apprenticeship program spearheaded by Solvus and partners WPI and the national manufacturing institute ARM Robotics.

As part of the award, Solvus will establish an apprenticeship program with local technical schools such as Worcester Technical High School and Mount Wachusett Community College, and program curriculum facilitated by WPI will be established which highlights key skills needed by the advanced manufacturing workforce.

“The commonwealth’s support for this program is investing in infrastructure but also in a training program, which taps into educational institutions that have strong ties to the manufacturing sector including schools like WPI, Mount Wachusett Community College, and Worcester Tech,” Nolan said.

She said Solvus Global’s cSIM and the apprenticeship program aligns well with the region’s historical manufacturing roots.

“Massachusetts and the North Central region in particular have a long history of manufacturing leadership,” she said. “We’re now leading when it comes to advanced manufacturing, where manufacturing meets high-tech innovation. Through the M2I2 grant program we’re making critical investments in the tools, training programs and partnerships that will help keep our ‘Made in Mass.’ manufacturing sector in this leadership role for decades to come.”

As CEO of Solvus Global, Birt said much of his job “is setting up the vision for our future and helping to pull together the high-level people and resources necessary to make those visions a reality” through projects such as cSIM.

“Our goal is to be in full production with these innovative manufacturing solutions by the end of 2022 while at the same time serving as a resource for the region to support reskilling our workforce for the next era of manufacturing,” he said. “It’s something that we and many of our partners are passionate about and so we’re looking for ways to work together to create an environment that’s supportive of both the people and the industry.”

Aging Services of North Central Massachusetts (ASNCM) is pleased to announce the return of the Cards for Caring imitative for the holiday season.

In collaboration with Congresswoman Lori Trahan and Congressman Jim McGovern, ASNCM will reach across the 21 communities in North Central Massachusetts to gather warm holiday greeting cards made by individuals which will then be distributed to the aging community throughout the region who may be living in isolation during the holiday season.

“The progress we’ve made over the past twelve months in the fight against COVID-19 is a testament to everyone who took the virus seriously. It also means that for many, the holidays will be spent with loved ones – safely,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “As we prepare for the holidays, I’m thrilled to partner once again with Aging Services of North Central Massachusetts and Congressman McGovern for our Cards for Caring Initiative. This important program will help us spread holiday cheer while also continuing to prioritize the safety of everyone in our community. I hope folks will join us again this year by submitting a personal, handwritten card as a small way to spread some joy this holiday season.”

“The COVID pandemic has reminded us how a single act of kindness can mean the world to someone. Cards for Caring is connection in action,” said Congressman Jim McGovern. “Taking a little time to send a greeting card can have a big impact by making sure no one spends this holiday season feeling alone.”

“Last year we spread holiday wishes to over seven hundred individuals. We hope to reach more this year. We will not meet the person who receives the card. But we do know everyone is on their own journey. The journey may include loneliness, grieving from the loss of a loved one, suffering from declining health, struggling with financial issues or uncertainty as to what tomorrow will bring. We do know that we are a caring community. For a moment as a card is opened, I hope there is a true feeling of being a part of a community that truly cares. ASNCM is grateful to partner with Congresswoman Trahan and Congressman McGovern and our entire community to make a positive difference one person at a time, one card at a time”, stated Lori A. Richardson, Chief Executive Officer at Aging Services at North Central Massachusetts.

Outreach and coordination have also begun with the region’s superintendents of schools as students are more than welcome to participate in this very thoughtful campaign.

Members of the community are invited to drop cards in unsealed envelopes at a drop box located at Aging Services of North Central Massachusetts, 680 Mechanic Street in Leominster, MA, by Friday, December 11, 2021.

Business or community members interested in learning more about ASNCM’s Cards for Caring campaign should visit www.AgingServicesMA.org or contact David Ginisi, Chief Marketing Officer, at (978) 466-1571 or via email at .

Fidelity Bank recognized for overall financial strength, security of operations

 

 Fidelity Bank today announced it has earned a 5-Star “Superior” rating from BauerFinancial, the nation’s leading independent bank rating and research firm. A 5-Star rating ranks Fidelity Bank among one of the strongest banks in the nation on BauerFinancial’s Recommended Report.

“This rating reflects our overall financial strength and the vigilant efforts we put towards maintaining the safety and security of the bank,” said Ed Manzi, Jr., Chairman and CEO, Fidelity Bank. “Our clients should feel very well protected, and we are proud to give them the clarity they need to make informed decisions and move forward with confidence.”

Fidelity Bank was evaluated in several areas, including capital and asset quality, and profitability. No institution pays BauerFinancial to rate it, nor can it choose to be excluded. In addition to this strong rating, clients of Fidelity Bank also benefit from 100% of their deposits being insured by the FDIC and the Depositors Insurance Fund (DIF). 

Leominster Credit Union (LCU) presented a check for $5,000 to Fathering Fathers, Inc., a non-profit mentoring organization, dedicated to raising up healthy, confident, and well-prepared young men. The lion’s share of this donation will go to help jump start a girl’s mentoring program based out of Clinton Middle School and Tahanto Regional, in Clinton and Boylston, Massachusetts respectively.

“We are deeply grateful for the contribution that this gift provides to develop and implement our programs. We are confident the young men and women in our mentoring groups will directly benefit from this donation and their lives will be impacted in a tangible, positive way. Our desire for this program is that the students we mentor will grow up better equipped to navigate the challenging world we live in. That goal is much closer thanks to the generosity of Leominster Credit Union,” stated Nate Rollins, Chairman of the Board of Fathering Fathers.

“We are proud to contribute to the Fathering Fathers organization in order to help the mentors and volunteers involved in the program to better support, educate and provide leadership and resources for the youth in our community. We feel that this is a very important initiative and will make a great difference in the lives of everyone involved,” stated Barbara Mahoney, President and CEO, Leominster Credit Union.

For more details on Fathering Fathers, Inc., how to become a mentor or mentee, or to donate to the program, please visit www.fatheringfathers.com.

On September 15, 2021 three Mount Wachusett Community College Adult Education students were honored by First Literacy with scholarships in a virtual ceremony.

First Literacy Scholarships are awarded in recognition of educational achievements and potential, community service, and perseverance in the face of hardship. This year First Literacy awarded 30 scholarships to deserving individuals from community colleges across the Commonwealth. Students Yves Verneret and Lilian Thimotti were honored among the fourteen continuing scholars, while Bushrah Namirimu was honored as a first-year scholar.

“Adult Education programs are vital to our communities, inspiring and supporting students as they overcome the challenges of work, families, and over the past two years, COVID-19,” noted MWCC President James Vander Hooven. “MWCC is a lifelong learning community, focused on the preparation of our students for lives of fulfillment, leadership, and service in a diverse and global society. These three students are shining examples of that pursuit.”

“These students are amazing,” stated Kimberly Kayser, MWCC Adult Education Transition Coordinator. “We are so proud of all they have achieved and continue to achieve.”

In addition, Namirimu was awarded the Thomas Menino Memorial scholarship which honors Mayor Menino’s commitment to adult literacy education and the potential of all students.

Namirimu immigrated to the United States from Uganda where she was an investigative journalist. Her stories were viewed as anti-government and inciting violence, for which she faced persecution. She fled Uganda in 2018, leaving behind her three-year-old son, and her five siblings. With no friends or relatives in the US, Namirimu found work through a friend in Australia as a live-in nanny and housekeeper. She struggled to find transportation to the Mount from her host’s home because they did not approve of her attending college. After escaping this unhealthy arrangement, she left Massachusetts for a time before returning with her then-boyfriend. The pair married and had a daughter in July 2020. Returning to school in the spring of 2021, she faced the challenges of being a full-time student, mother, wife, and employee.

“Many times, I felt exhausted and stressed,” stated Namirimu in her remarks at the virtual scholarship ceremony. “Nevertheless, I persevered and excelled. Although challenges may force one to put a pause on their dreams or even quit, I never considered it. I grabbed every opportunity that came my way to make sure that I made my life and my future better by working hard for it.”

Yves Verneret came to the United States from Haiti in 2015. Having witnessed the destruction of the 2010 earthquake, she realized she wanted to be a nurse and made the decision to pursue her dream in the U.S. When she arrived in the United States she was met with many challenges. She had to provide for the needs of three children as well as study college-level courses. The forced isolation of the pandemic was hard for all of them, but it caused her to form “many positive changes in my life.”  She recognized her competence and success in meeting the various challenges facing her and learned that she could succeed and not be discouraged. The First Literacy scholarship kept her motivated and persistent in following her career path. She has been accepted into the nursing program at Mount Wachusett Community College and was guaranteed future admission to Fitchburg State University’s online bachelor’s program in nursing. Vernerete is looking forward to passing along help to others just as others have helped her.

LilianThimotti came to the United States with her husband and two children to get away from the violence that disrupted her family in Brazil. Her first year in the U.S. was very hard. She knew no English and could not work, causing her family serious financial and emotional difficulties. To make matters worse, everyone in her family became ill during the pandemic. However, with determination and hard work, she faced these challenges and overcame them. The First Literacy scholarship was a lifesaver, allowing her to buy the books and equipment needed for the nursing courses she was taking. Currently Thimotti is working towards an associate degree in nursing and plans to continue on to earn a degree. She looks forward to becoming a nurse and being able to help relieve pain and suffering in others.

First Literacy reaches approximately 5,000 adult learners and 250 teachers in 150 programs across Massachusetts each year through program grants, free teacher workshops, and student scholarships. Since 1990, the First Literacy Scholarship Program has awarded over 500 scholarships to students in adult basic education or English language programs who are continuing their education. To learn more about First Literacy, visit their website at firstliteracy.org.