U.S. adults recognize the wide-sweeping impact of their local chamber, ACCE/Harris Poll survey finds
Results from a nationwide public opinion poll indicate chambers of commerce are vital to the prosperity of their communities. The Harris Poll survey, conducted on behalf of the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE), finds 81% of U.S. adults agree their local chamber of commerce is a trusted resource and partner for businesses. Around nine in 10 feel their local chamber has an impact on growing the local economy (90%) and addressing challenges within their community (88%).
“The poll’s findings assert the crucial role chambers of commerce play for businesses, economies and communities,” said Sheree Anne Kelly, ACCE president and CEO. “Chambers are trusted and innovative organizations. As a result, we are seeing tremendous momentum to bring even more bold leadership and lasting impact on the communities we serve.”
Key findings of the poll include:
Chambers are Trusted: 81% of U.S. adults agree their local chamber is a trusted resource and partner for businesses. 90% feel their local chamber has an impact on growing the local economy.
Chamber Membership Strengthens a Business’s Reputation: 64% of adults who are familiar with their local chamber are more likely to purchase goods and services from a business they know is a member of their local chamber. 63% of these adults are more likely to recommend that business to someone else.
Chambers Serve Businesses and Communities: 76% of U.S. adults agree local chambers are stewards of a strong local economy. 74% believe local chambers create jobs and promote local community development. 72% believe local chambers play a key role in addressing community challenges.
Business Owners See the Value: 65% of business owners see their local chamber as an advocate for initiatives and policies that are in the best interest of their business. 62% believe the chamber supports the growth and prosperity of their business.
People Want to Learn More About Their Local Chamber: 70% of U.S. adults wished they knew more about the work their local chamber does in the community. Specifically, they are most commonly interested in learning more about the type of impact local chambers have in their community (49%), more general information about chambers of commerce (43%), and which local businesses are members (42%).
“This survey data is proof positive that when a Chamber of Commerce is deeply rooted in its community, the results are extraordinary,” said Roy M. Nascimento, president and CEO, North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. “That’s exactly what we’re seeing across North Central Massachusetts, where our work has created positive impact across all 27 of our communities.”
To drive regional growth and prosperity, the Chamber developed One North Central, a comprehensive economic development strategy providing actionable frameworks for education, workforce and real estate development, small business lending, and tourism marketing across the region.
“One North Central catalyzed growth and opportunity in our region through innovative financing solutions, like the Regional Business Investment Fund and the North Central Massachusetts Land Bank, along with strategies to attract more visitors to our region—together creating a powerful engine for regional development,” added Nascimento.
This strategic focus on tourism is already showing impressive results. Recently published Massachusetts data revealed North Central’s tourism economy reached $469.9 million in direct visitor spending in 2023, representing a 19.7% increase since 2019. This thriving tourism sector now annually supports 4,300 local jobs and generates $117.3 million in direct earnings, while contributing $41.2 million in combined tax revenue ($8.2 million local and $33 million state).
The impact continues through the work of the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation, the Chamber’s economic development and lending arm. In the past year alone, the Corporation provided more than $1.1 million in small business loans and delivered 2,100 hours of technical assistance, helping dozens of local entrepreneurs launch and expand their businesses. It has loaned out more than $26 million since its inception in 1996.
The Chamber’s commitment to future growth also extends to workforce development through its educational initiatives. The organization awarded more than $50,000 in traditional and non-traditional scholarships to the Class of 2024. Additionally, its flagship Community Leadership Institute has equipped over 300 professionals with advanced leadership skills since its inception in 1989.
“As we address today’s challenges, we’re actively building tomorrow’s opportunities,” said Nascimento. “Through our scholarship programs and the Community Leadership Institute, we’re developing a pipeline of skilled professionals and engaged community leaders who will drive North Central Massachusetts toward an even stronger future.”
Methodology
This survey was conducted online within the United States between September 5-9, 2024 among 2,075 adults (aged 18 and over) including 141 respondents who are business owners (i.e., employed with a title of CEO, partner or owner) by The Harris Poll on behalf of the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) via its Harris On Demand omnibus product.
Data were weighted where necessary by age, gender, race/ethnicity, region, education, marital status, household size, household income, [employment], and political party affiliation, to bring them in line with their actual proportions in the population.
Respondents for this survey were selected from among those who have agreed to participate in our surveys. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval. For this study, the sample data is accurate to within + 2.5 percentage points using a 95% confidence level. This credible interval will be wider among subsets of the surveyed population of interest.
All sample surveys and polls, whether or not they use probability sampling, are subject to other multiple sources of error which are most often not possible to quantify or estimate, including, but not limited to coverage error, error associated with nonresponse, error associated with question wording and response options, and post-survey weighting and adjustments.
Additional insights can be found at acce.org/poll. Questions about the study may be directed to Jen Pruden (), communications manager, resources and benchmarking, at ACCE.
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As we approach the end of another remarkable year, I want to take a moment to reflect on our shared accomplishments and express my deepest gratitude to each of you who make North Central Massachusetts such a vibrant and dynamic business community. We continue to build upon our commitment to excellence in serving our region exemplified by our national recognition as a five-star accredited chamber and selection last year as National Chamber of the Year.
Throughout 2024, your unwavering support and active participation have been the driving force behind our Chamber’s success. Together, we’ve strengthened our regional economy, fostered meaningful connections, and created new opportunities for businesses of all sizes. Our dynamic monthly programming has brought together hundreds of professionals through diverse events – from strategic networking sessions to policy forums with government leaders and educational workshops – while our advocacy efforts successfully championed policies that support local business growth and development.
Our focus on strengthening key sectors and developing regional leadership has yielded significant results this year. We launched our Manufacturing Council and continued our successful electricity cost-savings program that benefits local manufacturers. We strengthened our healthcare sector engagement through our leadership in workforce development initiatives – including our regional jobs board, career fairs, and convening key stakeholders – while our shop local campaigns energized independent businesses throughout the region. Our Community Leadership Institute saw exceptional participation in this year’s class and underwent meaningful enhancements to further develop our region’s future leaders. The launch of our Regional Business Investment Fund has created new opportunities for growth, and our support for downtown revitalization and housing initiatives has helped strengthen several communities’ economic foundations.
Our affiliated organizations, including the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation, Visit North Central Massachusetts, the North Central Massachusetts Chamber Foundation, and our newest affiliate, the North Central Massachusetts Land Bank, Inc., have further amplified our reach. The impact of our collective efforts is evident in the numbers: we’ve welcomed 115 new members to our chamber family, provided over $1.1 million in small business loans, delivered more than 2,000 hours of technical assistance to local enterprises and helped create or retain hundreds of jobs. Together, we’ve also helped attract more than $496 million in visitor spending through our marketing efforts and provided over $50,000 in scholarships to support our region’s future leaders.
With more than 50,000 followers across our social media channels, significantly increased website traffic, and growing engagement on our podcast and other communication platforms, we’re providing more opportunities than ever to showcase our members’ successes and amplify their voices. This expanded reach reinforces North Central Massachusetts as a premier destination for business and innovation.
What makes these achievements truly special is that they represent more than just business success – they demonstrate the strength of our Chamber community and our shared commitment to making North Central Massachusetts an even better place to live, work, and do business. I’m particularly proud that our work has touched every single one of our 27 communities in North Central Massachusetts, creating positive impact throughout the region.
As we look ahead to 2025, I am filled with optimism about the opportunities before us. We have ambitious plans to expand our services, enhance our advocacy efforts, and advance our members and communities. I am bullish on our region, and with your continued engagement, we are well-positioned to capitalize on new opportunities for growth and innovation.
To our dedicated board members, committed volunteers, hardworking staff, and loyal members – thank you for being an integral part of our chamber community. Your trust in our organization and your investment in our region’s future continue to inspire us.
May this holiday season bring you joy, peace, and time with loved ones. Here’s to a prosperous and exciting 2025, filled with new achievements and strengthened partnerships.
Warm regards,
Roy M. Nascimento, CCE, IOM
President & CEO
North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce
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Last week, a federal judge in Texas halted the implementation of the Department of the Treasury’s Corporate Transparency Act (CTA).
Background: Enacted in 2021, the CTA is intended to help prevent and combat money laundering, terrorist financing, corruption, and tax fraud. The CTA establishes a beneficial ownership reporting requirement for corporations, limited liability companies, and other similar entities formed or registered to do business in the United States. Under the CTA, beneficial ownership reports must be filed with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), a bureau within the U.S. Department of Treasury. Prior to the ruling, small businesses meeting certain criteria would have had to file reports by January 1, 2025 or risk facing fines and criminal penalties.
There have been numerous challenges to the CTA across the country, with the most recent challenge being heard last week in Texas, Texas Top Cop Shop, Inc., et al. v. Garland, et al., No. 4:24-cv-00478 (E.D. Tex.). The order from the Texas judge has halted implementation of the CTA’s beneficial ownership reporting requirements until the conclusion of legal proceedings. Following that order, The Department of Justice, on behalf of the Department of the Treasury, filed a Notice of Appeal on December 5, 2024.
What this means for your business:
This preliminary relief means that until the proceedings are concluded, reporting companies are NOT currently required to file their beneficial ownership information with FinCEN and are NOT subject to liability if they fail to do so while the order remains in force. In an alert on their website, FinCEN goes on to say that reporting companies may continue to voluntarily submit beneficial ownership information reports.
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When we crafted the One North Central Plan back in 2021, we envisioned it as a roadmap for prosperity in our region. It brought business and community leaders together to design a blueprint for our region’s future.
Our objective has been to inspire the region’s public and private sectors to work together in building an economically sound and prosperous region capable of benefiting from future growth and development. Never has the need been greater than now.
Emerging out of the pandemic, the One North Central plan has been put to the test. Our region has experienced great challenges, particularly in the real estate market. Historically low interest rates during the pandemic years prompted record refinancing, juxtaposed against a backdrop of one of the highest foreclosure rates in the nation.
The Crescent Street Townhouses in Fitchburg, developed by Nick Pelletier in 2020, transformed an abandoned downtown lot into seven market-rate rental units using Massachusetts’ Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP)
The “Golden Handcuff” Era
We’re seeing some bright spots. Inflation, which has gripped the United States for several years, has eased to the point that the Federal Reserve recently lowered the prime interest rate. This is great news for lenders as the potential promise of future Fed rate cuts means mortgage loan rates can further ease downward. We may never see pandemic-era rates of 3%, however, the hope is for something much more affordable than the 7% range we’ve been hovering around in recent months.
As of early October, the average interest rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage was 6.32% APR, according to data compiled by Freddie Mac. A year ago, Freddie Mac reported the average interest rate was 7.57% compared to 2021 when it was 2.99%.
The hope is that lower interest rates will ease what one local, leading real estate broker calls “The Golden Handcuffs.” “Right now, people aren’t moving,” said Rick Healey, president of Foster-Healey Real Estate of Gardner and Leominster, adding “we have very low supply and high demand, which is creating even higher housing prices.”
In turn, Baby Boomers who might be interested in downsizing are staying put to continue benefiting from the low home refinance rates they locked in during the pandemic. Conversely, those needing more space can’t find those larger homes and often, due to supply and demand constraints, are finding available homes too costly.
The numbers support this. According to the Warren Group, 2023 ended with the lowest volume of single-family home sales in 12 years and persistently high prices, both of which contribute mightily to the affordability and access problem the Commonwealth is now trying to address. Data for 2024 through September show sales this year are running half a percentage point ahead of last year’s pace as historic prices continue to break records.
“We have a lot of inventory, however, much of it is locked up due to conditions in the market,” said Nick Pelletier, president of Pelletier Properties and a developer in Leominster. “We can fix this by building more inventory to help bring prices down.” That said, Pelletier added the cost to build, particularly with the Commonwealth’s strict energy codes, keeps builders from constructing lower-cost starter homes in favor of more profitable, and expensive, larger ones.
Pelletier notes the other challenge is affordability. “When people say, ‘affordable housing,’ often they move toward what the industry definition is—low income, subsidized, or even Section 8. However, for most people, affordable may simply mean, ‘can I afford to live here on my income?’ regardless of income level.”
“If you look at the area of Massachusetts with closest proximity to Boston while having the most affordability, it is North Central Massachusetts,” continued Pelletier. North Central Massachusetts has long been viewed as affordable, with great commuter rail access, and easy driving access to Boston and Worcester. Commuters love the lifestyle of North Central Massachusetts which has more open space, is less densely populated, and is less expensive.
“We love that our North Central communities are chosen for affordability and accessibility to Boston,” said Roy M. Nascimento, president and CEO, North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. “What the One North Central plan showed us is how to maintain this quality of life for our citizens who both live here and work for the many wonderful businesses in industries anchoring local communities in our region.”
According to livingcost.org, the average dollar amount needed for single person to live in the City of Boston per month is $3,467, which includes housing, utilities, food, and transportation. Comparatively, Leominster is $2,743 and Fitchburg $2,682. “It is critical that we consider the diversity of our communities and provide attainable housing for all income levels,” added Nascimento.
Balancing attainability and accessibility
Earlier this summer, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey signed legislation to spur the production of about 45,000 new units and the preservation of 27,000 more. However, the Commonwealth is expected to have a 220,000-plus housing unit shortage, state-wide by 2030, according to a recent article in the State House News.
“In North Central Massachusetts, there is a recognition now in the planning boards that increasing density is necessary,” said Rick Healey. “We’re not creating any more land and we need to get creative in how we develop denser communities while maintaining green space.” Healey continued that multifamily condominiums, townhouse, and cluster developments surrounded by green space are critical. “We have to be flexible in how we develop our land,” he said.
Pelletier adds that all types of housing are needed—both rentals and for sale, along with one- two-, and three-bedroom units across the income spectrum. “We currently have about 6,000 homes on the market in the region,” noted Pelletier, adding, “it’s getting better. A few years ago, we only had 3,000 on the market.”
Marc Dohan is the Executive Director of NewVue Communities, a non-profit community development corporation dedicated to creating strong and healthy neighborhoods where residents choose to live, work, and invest throughout North Central Massachusetts. “We do a first-time homebuyer class. People are really challenged between interest rates and availability, and are finding it much harder to buy that first home. They learn a lot but need to move farther away from the main cities of Leominster and Fitchburg to buy something.”
“Some people have accepted the fact that buying a home might be unattainable. We must fix that,” concluded Pelletier.
Fitchburg setting the tone for the future, making what’s old, new again.
Jacob Zapata of The Tocci Group showcases the construction progress on one of their latest mixed-use developments on Fitchburg’s Main Street, which will feature ground-floor retail spaces with market-rate apartments above
The City of Fitchburg has taken the housing and affordability issue to heart with an aggressive effort to develop Main Street, taking old, abandoned, yet historical buildings and converting them into affordable apartments.
Jacob Zapata is a Partner and Chief Operating Officer for the Tocci Group. Based in Fitchburg, The Tocci Group is charged with working with the City of Fitchburg to redevelop these buildings and turn them into hundreds of apartments. “Main Street is one of the longest downtown main streets in the Commonwealth and the area is becoming an attractive destination,” commented Zapata. “We thought we’d attract tenants from other parts of North Central Massachusetts; however, we’re finding they are also coming in from New Hampshire, something we did not expect.”
The Tocci Group also focuses on creating retail opportunities to complement the residential units. “People are craving a fresh, clean, affordable product. It’s a great idea for businesses! It’s inexpensive right on Main Street—open a business for $12-$16 per square foot in rent and they can do pretty well.” He added that by attracting new businesses in a highly desirable business climate coupled with affordably priced, high-quality apartments to feed a large housing shortage, is a win for everyone in the Fitchburg and the North Central Region.
Pelletier Properties is also developing in Fitchburg and Pelletier said rehabilitating old buildings is a great reuse of property, however, the cost can be challenging. “When you look at the cost to retrofit these buildings, the numbers don’t always make sense. We rely on government incentives and grants to make these projects feasible so that we’re not carrying debt too far into the future,” added Pelletier.
Enter One North Central and its Regional Business Investment Fund (RBIF). The RBIF differs from other loan programs in that it is very flexible and geared towards real estate projects. The fund includes very low rates (some as low as 0%) for projects in lower-to-middle income (LMI) communities, flexible repayment terms and can be used to cover soft costs and other expenses not typically covered by traditional lenders.
A recent $250,000 loan through the RBIF to the Gardner Downtown Crossing, LLC (GDX) is helping this developer fit out a three-story mixed-use building that was constructed in Gardner in 1900. When completed, the building will feature commercial space as well as 14 units of housing. GDX was able to leverage the RBIF loan with an additional $1.9 million in financing from a traditional lender. “This is an excellent example of Mayor Michael Nicholson’s leadership in partnering with local community and business leaders to bring this important project to fruition,” comments Nascimento.
Also, unlike our other loan programs, the RBIF can be used for housing projects, and non-profits are eligible. “The RBIF, coupled with other incentives, provides a catalyst and incentive for builders to come into our communities to create dynamic urban settings that are affordable to all citizens,” added Nascimento.
Diversity through the arts
One local developer is fine-tuning his approach to amplifying Fitchburg’s burgeoning arts community through the creation of the Artist Preference Housing Project, which broke ground a year ago after a decade of planning.
The project, spearheaded by NewVue Communities, is a new affordable artist housing development that offers studio, 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom apartments as part of beautiful renovations of the historic former B.F. Brown Middle School, High School Annex, and City Stables. Artist community cohesion will be reinforced with public art, gallery and studio space, and a landscape plan that knits the entire site together by creating an arts campus that connects to the Fitchburg Art Museum.
“Two huge anchors of culture within Fitchburg– Fitchburg State University and the Fitchburg Art Museum—led us to believe that artist housing would fit perfectly into the city’s diverse culture and desire to revitalize the downtown area,” added Dohan, whose firm, NewVue Communities, is spearheading the project.
In addition to housing, the community also features artist amenities, such as a soundproof room, small classrooms, and an auditorium that can also serve as open studio areas for all types of creatives, including writers, painters, photographers, and musicians. Demand for the 68 units, slated for completion in early 2025, has been overwhelming with over 1,000 applications.
Are North Central communities prepared for growth?
Many communities throughout North Central Massachusetts date back well over 100 years with aging infrastructures that are being addressed as part of future growth initiatives throughout the region. “It is imperative that we work collectively to address future growth in our communities by ensuring we have adequate schools, water and sewer systems, and roads,” added Nascimento.
The vast and vibrant development in Fitchburg has placed a spotlight on the city as extensive work is being done to fix the roads, sewers, and electrical grids to accommodate the growth happening along Main Street. “I applaud Mayor [Samantha] Squailia and her efforts within the Commonwealth to secure funding to address critical infrastructure needs in Fitchburg,” commented Zapata. “Fitchburg. Don’t sleep on it. It’s the next town to really be redeveloped.”
“Whether it’s Ashburnham, Ashby, Clinton, Leominster, Gardner, Fitchburg, Shirley, or any of the other wonderful towns in between, North Central Massachusetts is poised for tremendous growth in the future,” added Nascimento. We have incredible business leaders who care about our communities, our citizens, and the responsible, affordable growth that is needed to keep our region vibrant for many years to come. I’m excited about the future and look forward to continuing the tremendous progress we have made to date.”
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Sabbra Reyes named to lead Johnny Appleseed Visitors Center; special “Business After Hours” event to recognize Burnette scheduled for January
The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce today announced the appointment of Sabbra Reyes to Visitor Center Manager of the Johnny Appleseed Visitors Center, effective December 2, 2024. Reyes will take over for Diane Burnette, who is retiring after nearly three decades of dedicated service to the Chamber.
A resident of Fitchburg, Reyes has been working at the visitors center for nearly 15 years and will bring a deep understanding of the region and its attractions to the management role.
“I am honored to follow in Diane’s footsteps and continue the tradition of excellence she has established,” said Reyes. “The Johnny Appleseed Visitors Center plays a vital role in showcasing our region, and I look forward to working with our team to enhance the visitor experience while maintaining the high standards Diane has set.”
To ensure a smooth transition following Burnette’s retirement, Reyes has been working closely with Burnette, who has shared insights and knowledge preparing for the leadership change. “Sabbra’s promotion represents a recognition of her capabilities and her commitment to maintain the exceptional service our visitors have come to trust and expect when visiting the center,” said Roy M. Nascimento, president and CEO, North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce and Visit North Central Massachusetts.
Throughout Burnette’s nearly 30-year career, she has been a welcoming face for the region, greeting countless visitors with a warm personality and serving as an ambassador for North Central Massachusetts, making the visitor center a must-stop destination for travelers exploring the region.
“Diane’s contributions to our organization and the communities of North Central Massachusetts cannot be overstated,” added Nascimento. “She has not only managed the visitor center with exceptional skill but also played a crucial role in promoting our region and supporting local businesses. Her dedication has helped countless visitors discover the beauty and charm of North Central Massachusetts.”
In recognition of Burnette’s years of service, the Chamber will host a special edition of its popular “Business After Hours” series on Wednesday, January 15, 2025 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Brew Barn at Red Apple Farm, for colleagues and friends. Ticket proceeds from the event will benefit the Johnny Appleseed Visitors Center.
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As your dynamic partner in North Central Massachusetts, we continue to drive initiatives that strengthen our business community and foster regional growth. Our impact spans from direct business support to innovative community development, and we are pleased to share these updates with you that are not covered elsewhere in the newsletter.
SMALL BUSINESS LENDING: Our commitment to small business remains strong. For FY2024 which ended September 30, 2024, the Chamber’s economic development arm, the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation (NCMDC), approved and closed 27 loans to small businesses for a total of $1,101,500. The loans ranged from $1,000 to $250,000 and helped leverage another $2,424,000 in capital from our banking partners and $158,329 in borrower capital. These loans helped create 19.5 new jobs and retained another 29.5 jobs. We currently have a total of 98 loans in our loan portfolio with a total principal balance of $3,149,392.
BUSINESS ASSISTANCE: Beyond lending, our team also provided a total of 2,175 hours of hands on technical assistance in FY2024 to small businesses in the region. We also connected them with resources available through our partners like NewVue Communities, the Small Business Development Center at Clark University (SBDC), SCORE and the Center for Women and Enterprise (CWE). In addition, we continue to connect them as needed with professionals who can provide technical assistance beyond the scope of what we can do directly, including services for marketing, public relations, website/media design, bookkeeping and legal.
INITIATE PROSPERITY: FREE ONLINE RESOURCES: Members have access to Initiate Prosperity, our comprehensive online platform featuring 300+ business resources in English and Spanish. Since launching in October 2023, users have logged 70+ hours accessing interactive tools, templates, videos, and customized technical assistance guides.
Interested in signing up for Initiate? Access is complimentary for members, but pre-registration is required. Contact Sandie Cataldo, Senior Economic Development Manager at or 978.353.7600 ext. 232.
WorkNorthCentral.com: Our online jobs board, WorkNorthCentral.com, continues to be a vital tool for Chamber members. From January 1 to October 31, 2024, we’ve seen impressive engagement with over 1,500 job opportunities posted and more than 22,000 page views. To extend our reach, we also share these listings on our dedicated Work North Central Facebook page.
As a reminder, postings are complimentary for members. You can easily post your employment opportunities directly or email your listings to Sabbra Reyes at .
Take advantage of this powerful platform to connect with top talent in our region. Post your job openings today and tap into our growing network of job seekers!
Lauren Jones, Massachusetts Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development, addresses a special joint meeting convened by the Chamber of the Manufacturing Council and the Talent Compact
WORKFORCE & TALENT: The Chamber convened a special joint meeting in September between our Manufacturing Council and North Central Massachusetts Talent Compact. Lauren Jones, Massachusetts Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development, shared key insights on the Healey administration’s workforce initiatives and led a discussion on addressing our region’s pressing labor challenges. This strategic dialogue advanced our ongoing efforts to strengthen North Central Massachusetts’ workforce development and enhance regional economic growth.
SOLAR INITIATIVE: Our Pleasant Street solar field, launched in August 2014, continues to deliver significant benefits to participating manufacturers. As of October, 2024 the initiative has produced14,622,546 kWh of Net Metering Credits to the manufacturers participating in the program and a collective savings of $3,106,809 to participants.
This innovative program not only promotes sustainable energy practices but also contributes substantially to cost reduction for local businesses. As we celebrate a decade of operation, these figures underscore the long-term economic and environmental impact of our solar initiative.
SHOP LOCAL GIFT CARD PROGRAM: We currently have 41 member merchants that are participating in the Gift Local eGift Card program. Since January 1, 2024 through the end of October we have sold 59 gift cards valued at $2,600. During the same timeframe, 55 cards valued at $1,787.41 were redeemed at participating small businesses.
As we approach the holiday season—our peak sales period—we invite more businesses to join this free program. Every card redeemed supports our local economy.
Want to participate? Contact Patrick O’Hara: or 978.353.7600 ext. 239.
AMBASSADOR PROGRAM GROWING: Our Chamber Ambassadors—dedicated volunteers who champion member engagement and represent us at key events—continue to expand with two new additions in the last few months. We invite passionate members to join this influential group.
Interested in becoming an Ambassador? Contact Patrick O’Hara: or 978.353.7600 ext. 239.
GATEWAY SIGN INITIATIVE EXPANDS: Our commitment to strengthening regional identity continues with the recent addition of attractive welcome signs in Groton and Lancaster. These new installations complement our existing network of gateway signs in communities across North Central Massachusetts, including Fitchburg, Gardner, Hubbardston, Leominster, Lunenburg, Pepperell, Sterling, and Westminster. Beyond beautification, these signs serve as powerful symbols of community pride, enhance visitor navigation, and contribute to economic development by creating a more cohesive regional brand. We hope to sponsor additional signs for other member communities in North Central Massachusetts as funding becomes available.
Chamber staff showcase the new office furniture at our offices. Special thanks to AIS, Inc. for their donation of the new furniture.
DIGITAL REACH EXPANDS: Our strategic focus on fresh content and enhanced SEO practices continues to drive growth across our digital platforms, creating strong visibility for our members and communities. The Chamber’s main website, northcentralmass.com, demonstrated strong performance for fiscal year 2024 (ending June 30, 2024), attracting over 53,500 visitors and generating 137,700 pageviews—a 19.2% increase from the previous fiscal year.
Even more impressive has been the dramatic growth of our tourism platform, VisitNorthCentral.com. The site recorded more than 112,000 visitors and 207,000 pageviews throughout FY2024, representing a remarkable 50% increase in traffic. This momentum has continued into FY2025, with early metrics showing an extraordinary 89% surge in visitors and a 60% increase in pageviews compared to the same period last year.
These significant gains in digital engagement reflect growing interest in our region and demonstrate the effectiveness of our digital marketing strategies in showcasing North Central Massachusetts.
PODCAST HITS NEW MILESTONES: Our Inside North Central Massachusetts podcast has reached new milestones with 147 episodes and 5,800+ downloads—a 25% increase from last year. The series, sponsored by Franklin Professional Associates, continues to spotlight our region’s business leaders and success stories. Want to share your story? Contact Travis Condon at or 978.353.7600 ext. 224 to book your guest spot.
CHAMBER OFFICE GETS UPGRADE: Thanks to AIS, Inc.’s generous $50,000 furniture donation, we’ve modernized our office space with new staff furniture and cubicles. In keeping with our community-focused mission, we donated our previous furnishings to local non-profits, extending the impact of this upgrade throughout North Central Massachusetts.
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The Chamber has maintained an active presence in both federal and state-level advocacy throughout the latter months of 2024, hosting several key events and engaging on critical policy issues affecting our business community and the economic growth of the region.
Federal Engagement
The Chamber has strengthened its federal advocacy efforts this fall. Our annual Congressional Luncheon brought together Congressman Jim McGovern and Congresswoman Lori Trahan for a discussion on federal issues. Made possible through premier sponsor Fitchburg State University and supporting sponsor Care Central VNA & Hospice, Inc., the event provided members direct access to their federal representatives.
Further enhancing our federal presence, Chamber President Roy Nascimento represented our region at the prestigious Committee of 100 (CCC100) meeting in October. This select group, convened by the US Chamber of Commerce, comprises the nation’s 100 leading chamber executives. Nascimento’s participation enabled direct engagement with national business leaders, members of Congress, and chamber executives from across the country. His appointment to the CCC100 strengthens our ability to advocate for regional priorities while gaining early insights into federal policies affecting our business community.
Looking ahead to 2025, we are monitoring several critical federal issues that could significantly impact our local economy. These include the upcoming expiration of various provisions within the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, particularly changes to the R&D tax credit and the expiration of the pass-through deduction for small businesses. Additionally, potential new tariff policies under the new Trump administration warrant careful monitoring for their potential effects on our local economy.
Elections and Engagement
Maintaining our non-partisan stance, the Chamber served as an objective resource for both incumbent officials and candidates throughout the election cycle. While we do not endorse candidates, we actively facilitate dialogue between our elected representatives and candidates with the business community to ensure our region’s economic priorities are clearly communicated and understood.
Our Annual Legislative and Candidates Reception exemplified this approach. Thanks to the generous support of premier sponsor Mount Wachusett Community College and supporting sponsor Open Sky Community Services, the event provided a valuable forum for meaningful interaction between our legislative delegation, local officials, candidates, and business leaders.
Throughout the quarter, we also fostered engagement through individual meetings with officials and candidates, as well as focused discussions addressing specific concerns that our members had approached us about. The November election resulted in no changes to the North Central Massachusetts Legislative delegation, with incumbents maintaining their seats.
Ballot Question Advocacy
The Chamber actively engaged in advocacy regarding two significant ballot questions. With Question 2’s passage leaving Massachusetts without statewide graduation standards, we will advocate for thoughtful development of new standards that maintain educational excellence while ensuring student preparedness. We appreciate voters’ rejection of Question 5, recognizing its potential impact on our region’s hospitality sector. Special thanks to our legislative delegation members who opposed Question 5 and our member restaurants for their grassroots advocacy.
2025 Policy Agenda
The Chamber’s Board of Directors approved our Public Policy Agenda for 2025. Developed through stakeholder input and vetted by our Government Affairs Committee, this agenda will guide our advocacy efforts throughout the coming year.
The agenda focuses on six key priorities: economic competitiveness, small business, manufacturing, education, transportation, and real estate. While maintaining our longstanding positions on core issues, the 2025 agenda includes refined policy positions around plastics manufacturing, housing accessibility, and healthcare costs. These updates reflect the evolving needs of our business community while maintaining focus on long-term economic growth.
The complete agenda is available on our website.
State and Local Legislative Update
We recently provided testimony supporting the northern tier rail extension and submitted recommendations for the federally mandated Community Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). On Beacon Hill, we are monitoring the economic development bill and climate legislation during the closing days of informal session, which runs through December.
As Massachusetts operates on a two-year legislative cycle, any bills not passed by session’s end must be refiled in January when the new session begins. The Chamber will closely monitor new legislation affecting our business community as the process restarts in 2025.
For information about the Chamber’s public policy work, contact Public Affairs Manager Travis Condon at 978.353.7600, ext. 224, or .
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North Central Massachusetts continues to grow as a premier New England destination, with visitor spending reaching an impressive $496.9 million in CY2023—a 1.1% increase from 2022 and a remarkable 19.7% jump from 2019. The results come from a new economic impact study recently unveiled by the state. Our thriving tourism sector now supports 4,300 local jobs and generates $117.3 million in direct earnings, while contributing $8.2 million in local tax revenue and $33 million in state taxes. Our tourism impact extends deeper into the local economy through indirect spending, creating a powerful multiplier effect. When local hospitality, restaurants and other businesses in the local visitor economy thrive then they in turn invest in various local services and suppliers further contributing to our region’s economic growth.
Expanding Our Reach & Regional Partnerships & Media Engagement
We have strengthened our “Super Region” collaboration with two neighboring regional tourism councils (Discover Central MA and MetroWest Boston Visitors Bureau), launching an innovative off-season marketing campaign. Through partnerships with CM Communications, a specialized Boston-based PR agency, we have hosted regional travel writer press trips and we also participated again in the Dream Destinations Travel Show this past fall, positioning our region as a must-visit destination.
Digital Presence & Engagement
Our social media impact continues to grow. From July 1, 2024 through the first week of November, our Visit North Central Massachusetts Facebook page had a total reach of 470,665, a 24.2% increase over the same timeframe the previous year. Our Facebook channel also attracted 6,000 new followers. In addition, the page also had 9,145 content interactions and 8,767 link clicks during the same timeframe. On Instagram, the page achieved a reach of 19,226 and we gained 167 new followers. We also had 2,323 content interactions and 259 link clicks during the same timeframe. From July 1, 2024 to the end of October, VisitNorthCentral.com saw continued growth with 58,500+ visitors, an 89% increase over the same timeframe the previous year, and 93,700+ pageviews, a 60% increase.
Johnny Appleseed Visitor Center Updates
Thanks to funding from several local cultural councils, we were able to successfully host our “Saturday Showcase” initiative again during weekends this fall season at the Johnny Appleseed Visitor Center. These popular events highlighted local culture and experiences in the region through an engaging mix of activities. Visitors enjoyed musical performances, meet-and-greets with local authors, face painting, arts and crafts demonstrations, and even visits from alpacas from local farms, among many other memorable experiences.
On the infrastructure front, we’ve completed important improvements in partnership with MassDOT to ensure reliable year-round service at the center. Recent upgrades include a new furnace and building generator installation. Additionally, we are excited to announce that several fast-charging EV car stations will soon be installed at the center as part of a national infrastructure initiative to expand charging stations along major highways. This addition will help us better serve the growing number of electric vehicle travelers along Route 2.
Guide to North Central
The Fall/Winter edition of the Guide to North Central Massachusetts was published in September and is continuing to see strong demand. This publication is a glossy, full color magazine which we publish to showcase our region through compelling stories and strong visuals. In collaboration with Sitka Creations, we are currently working on the 2025 Spring/Summer edition. Members interested in advertising should contact the Chamber to reserve an ad.
Email Newsletter
Our new quarterly visitor opt-in electronic newsletter now reaches over 3,200 subscribers, maintaining an impressive 44% open rate and 8% click-through rate—above industry standards.
Branding & Advertising
We are launching two exciting tourism campaigns for North Central Massachusetts, supported by grants from the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism and the Massachusetts 250th Anniversary celebration. Running from January through June 2025, these strategic initiatives will showcase our region’s unique attractions and rich heritage to visitors from both nearby states and across the region.
Our Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism campaign leverages an integrated approach combining targeted print and digital media. The campaign’s messaging continues to emphasize our region’s convenient location and authentic New England charm with compelling taglines such as “Everything You Love About New England… A Lot Closer to Home” and “Drive To, Not Through, North Central MA.” These messages position our region as a destination worth exploring rather than simply passing through.
In parallel, our Massachusetts 250th Anniversary campaign celebrates our region’s revolutionary spirit and ongoing transformation. Through carefully crafted messaging like “North Central Massachusetts is Revolutionary” and “North Central Massachusetts: A Region in Revolution,” we’ll highlight our area’s significant role in both historical and modern revolutions. From our pivotal contributions to the Agricultural and Industrial Revolutions to today’s vibrant economic and cultural renaissance, the campaign tells the story of a region that continues to evolve while honoring its historic roots in the agricultural and industrial revolution.
Photography & Visual Content
We coordinated a series of professional photo shoots to capture the authentic character and vibrant offerings of North Central Massachusetts. Our shoots showcased four of the region’s most iconic attractions and fourteen distinctive local restaurants, creating a rich library of compelling visuals. These new images beautifully portray the unique experiences awaiting visitors to our region, from historic landmarks to contemporary dining destinations. The fresh photography will enhance our marketing efforts across our website, social media channels, email campaigns, and printed materials, helping us tell our region’s story in a more engaging and visually appealing way.
We’re always eager to expand our visual storytelling capabilities. If your business or attraction has high-quality photos that capture the spirit of North Central Massachusetts, we’d love to feature them in our marketing initiatives. Whether it’s seasonal events, behind-the-scenes moments, or stunning views of your location, sharing your images helps us showcase the full breadth of experiences our region offers. Please contact the Chamber to learn more.
New Sports Tourism Opportunity
We have partnered with Playeasy, a comprehensive digital platform connecting sports event organizers with local venues and businesses. This “one-stop shop” streamlines event planning—from venue selection to hotel bookings—while showcasing our region’s facilities and attractions to organizers nationwide. The platform generates qualified leads for our member venues and businesses, creating new opportunities for our members.
We invite you to join us in promoting our region’s unique attractions and experiences. Stay tuned for more updates and opportunities to get involved!
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“Helping organizations find a clear path forward” is the first headline readers see on Antonioni Consulting’swebsite. Maria Antonioni founded her consulting business in Leominster in June 2023 after more than 20 years of experience in executive leadership.
Her approach is highly individualized and holistic. “My goal is to understand how your unique non-profit or small business functions as a whole and how it can be strengthened at every level to build a healthier, more integrated organization,” she said. “As an executive development consultant, we help clients build healthy, fulfilling careers that capitalize on their personal strengths.”
Antonioni Consulting, Inc helps nonprofits, businesses, and individuals map out a clear path to success through improved organizational health and professional development. Areas of focus include:
Improving workplace culture and team unity
Communicating clearly and effectively
Boosting morale and productivity
Strengthening executive leadership
Unifying your organization’s mission and purpose
Her goal is to understand how unique non-profit organizations or small businesses function as a whole and how they can be strengthened at every level to build a healthier, more integrated organization. With her background in nonprofit leadership, education and healthcare, Maria uses a “highly individualized and holistic approach.” “We help clients build healthy, fulfilling careers that capitalize on their personal strengths,” she added.
In defining what separates her business from her competition, Maria notes “leading with empathy and understanding builds trust among employees so that collective growth becomes a team effort.” She adds “our approach prioritizes listening to and empowering members at every level of an organization, making work individually rewarding and transforming your mission into a shared sense of purpose.”
According to her website, Antonioni Consulting “enables organizations, teams and individuals to transform and thrive through critical insights.” “We understand that no person or organization is an island that they can only be fully understood within the largest context of the relationships, experience, strengths, goals and myriad other factors that shape their professional lives,” the website continues. “This real world approach promotes the growth and well being of your organizations, group or career as an integrated whole.”“We are committed to providing the honest assessment, practical advice and actionable tools you need to define and achieve success,” the website concludes.
Maria’s contact information and her phone number is 781.664.7362.
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Business Resources
$40,000 in financing approved for Handcrafted Artisanal Marketplace, bringing unique local shopping experience to Airport Road in Fitchburg
The North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation (NCMDC), the economic development arm of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, recently approved $40,000 in start-up financing for Handcrafted Artisanal Marketplace, a new specialty gift shop at 68 Airport Road in Fitchburg. The funding supports the latest addition to the region’s growing creative economy.
Known as the H.A.M. Gift Shop, the store features handcrafted products from local artisans, hosts monthly workshops, and provides special events that showcase regional talent. The business offers both direct sales and consignment opportunities for area craftspeople.
“My hope is for the gift shop to provide our region with a central hub for artisans while supporting personal and community causes,” said founder Katelyn Murphy. “Since we opened, we have received such a warm welcome from the community and our guests really enjoy meeting our mascot, Ham, too!”
The shop’s unique name stems from Murphy’s Quaker Parrot, Ham, her companion since 2020. “Ham has helped me through college, milestones, and hardships,” she added. “I named The H.A.M. Gift Shop after him to combine two of my passions, creativity and birds.”
Murphy developed her business plan in collaboration with NewVue Communities before securing financing through the NCMDC. To learn more about the gift shop, please visit https://thehamgiftshop.com/.
As a microloan lender, NCMDC can provide loans to small businesses up to $250,000 for working capital, real estate, equipment, inventory, expansion and working with our banking partners to provide gap financing for the final piece of a project.
For more information about the NCMDC loan programs, please call 978.353.7607 or visit NorthCentralMass.com or ChooseNorthCentral.com.
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