Twenty-two men and women, sponsored by area companies as up and coming employees and future leaders in our community, began the North Central Mass Chamber of Commerce’s Community Leadership Institute. The nine-month program is dedicated to providing participants with individual leadership skills and an understanding of the region’s education, government, health care, social services, justice system, media, arts and culture, environment and history.  The Chamber created the Institute to inspire a new generation of men and women to enthusiastically assume important roles in their community.  The program challenges individuals from diverse backgrounds to be influential in our region’s future.

Professor Mike Greenwood, business professor at Fitchburg State University and chairman of the Institute steering committee, is enthusiastic about this year’s participants and the meaningful professional, personal and community development they will take part in. “I have been with the class since it’s reintroduction in 2011. Each year, I am amazed and impressed with the dedication of the participants.  Programs like this are an important asset within the community to ensure one that continues to thrive, even after our current leaders retire.”

Marty Connors, president of Rollstone Bank & Trust and past chairman of the Institute steering committee, led the Institute’s revival in 2010. “I was in the first class of the Institute and it was an integral part of my success in the community. As Chairman of the Chamber’s Board of Directors in 2010, I felt we needed the program back to once again support our needs for leadership and succession planning. Rollstone Bank & Trust’s participants have enjoyed the program and become leaders here in their workplace and in the community. We could not be prouder of the work they have done.”

Kathryn Weldon, home loan specialist at Fidelity Bank and current participants, looks forward to learning more about her community. “I have been in North Central almost my entire life but I know there are areas that I could learn more about, such as our healthcare facilities or economic development. I look forward to the seminars each month to make better connections with my classmates, learn more about the resources in North Central and helping to advance the community.”

Kurt Zelch, Director of Physician Relations at HealthAlliance Hospital, just recently began working in the area. “I am thrilled and honored to be part of this year’s class.  I am most excited about the possibility of incorporating the good ideas of my fellow nominees into my own perspective.  These meetings will surely help all of us in that regard.”

Participants in the 2016 Class include:

Evelyn Cabrera – Director of Residential Services, YWCA
Brian Calnan – Area Administrator, Catholic Charities
Ellen Coughlin – Human Resources Manager, Leominster Credit Union
Katy Cuddahy Kirouac – Head Teller, Avidia Bank
Daniela Cunha Raphael – Customer Service Representative, Avidia Bank
Jennifer DeLisle – Assistant Branch Manager, Workers’ Credit Union
Penny Doolittle – Manufacturing Career Coach, Workforce Investment Board of North Central Mass
Lisa Dutton-Swain – Resource & Development Director, NewVue Communities (formerly Twin Cities CDC)
Scott Farris – Director of Strategic Enrollment Management, Mount Wachusett Community College
Heather Finnerty – Branch Manager, Rollstone Bank & Trust
Kallee George – Admissions Coordinator, The Arc of Opportunity of North Central MA
Holly Kreidler Phaneuf – Assistant Director NCEOC, Mount Wachusett Community College
Lisa Moison – Director of Professional Studies, Fitchburg State University
Susan Piper – Director of Sales & Marketing, DoubleTree by Hilton
Sarah Proctor – Sales & Marketing Coordinator, The Arc of Opportunity of North Central MA
Nicholas Rocheleau – Engineer, Rocheleau Tool & Die
Eric Rodriguez – Lead Organizer, The United Neighbors of Fitchburg
Sandra Sagehorn Elliot – Executive Vice President & Chief Operations Office, Workers’ Credit Union
Natalie Silverthorn Kruger – Retail Manager, Cutiques & Cutie Patuties
Kathryn Weldon – Home Loan Specialist, Fidelit Bank
Katy Whitaker – Development Coordinator, Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School
Kurt Zelch – Director of Physician Relations, HealthAlliance Hospital

The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce announced its participation in the sixth annual Small Business Saturday on November 28^th to support small businesses across North Central Massachusetts. Founded by American Express® in 2010, Small Business Saturday® is a day to celebrate the small businesses that help support their neighborhoods and is held every year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Now in its sixth year, Small Business Saturday has been embraced as part of the holiday shopping tradition as each year shoppers, businesses and public officials come together to Shop Small® and show their neighborhood pride.

Understanding the important contributions small businesses make to their communities, the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce is pleased to once again participate in Small Business Saturday and the Neighborhood Champion program.  On November 28^th, the North Central Massachusetts community is encouraged to take part in the Small Business Saturday and take advantage of the specials that our local business are running.  Shoppers can stop by to support local businesses and receive Shop Small® giveaways like tote bags, buttons and balloons.

American Express created the Neighborhood Champion program to help rally communities around Small Business Saturday and is working alongside numerous business organizations to support local Small Business Saturday celebrations throughout the country. Participating organizations include the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, the American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA), the International Downtown Association, The Latino Coalition, the National Main Street Center, the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Small business owners can learn more about taking part in Small Business Saturday and download free marketing materials on www.shopsmall.com. Consumers can also visit the site to find small businesses to shop at on Small Business Saturday.

The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that the organization has recruited 114 new members as a result of its 2015 New Member Campaign.

The two-week campaign ended on Wednesday, October 15th and included a mailed invitation to over 3,000 businesses in North Central Massachusetts and personal phone-calls from sixty-five business leaders encouraging them to join.  The campaign was one of the most successful campaigns that the Chamber has held in years. Volunteers competed for bragging rights as the top recruiter and some great prizes including overnight trips, gift certificates to restaurants and stores, and much more.
“The success of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce’s membership campaign is evidence of the strength of our local business community,” said Doug Petersen, President & CEO of Workers Credit Union and Chair of the Chamber’s Board of Directors. “Chamber membership has never been more valuable to local businesses and it is particularly heartening to see so many new businesses take advantage of the many benefits offered by the Chamber.”

The top producing team for the campaign was Enterprise Bank. Ken Ansin, Vice President of Community Relations and Jim Adams, Vice President and Business Advisor at Enterprise Bank served as the Co-Captains of the Team. The Enterprise Bank team recruited 25 new members and will be recognized with a special award at the Chamber’s next Good Morning North Central Breakfast on Friday, November 13th at the Doubletree in Leominster. In addition, the four members of the Enterprise Team will also be honored in a special luncheon hosted by Paul DiGeronimo, Chair of this year’s Campaign.

The campaign’s top individual recruiter was Jim Adams of Enterprise Bank who personally brought in 11 new businesses to the Chamber. Ray LaFond of Enterprise Bank placed second with 9 new members and Will Aubuchon of W.E. Aubuchon came in third with 8 new members. Other top recruiters included Julie Paradise of Bin There Dump That who recruited 7 new members; Scott Aubuchon of W.E. Aubuchon who recruited 5 new members; Andrea Tourigny of Franklin Professional Associates who recruited 4 new members; and Tony Mercadante of Mercadante and Mercadante P.C., CPAs who recruited 3 new members.

The second place team was the “Independents”, captained by Steve Rocheleau of Rocheleau Tool & Die, Inc.; the third place team was W.E. Aubuchon, captained by Will Aubuchon; and the fourth place team was the North Middlesex Saving Bank team, captained by Ruth Cavanagh.

“I want to congratulate our top recruiter Jim Adams and thank the many volunteers and businesses who participated in this campaign,” said Paul DiGeronimo, President of Geronimo Properties and Chair of the 2015 New Member Campaign. “Gaining 114 new members is a tremendous achievement and would not have been possible without the time and effort from our many campaign volunteers.”

The Chamber appreciates the efforts of Paul DiGeronimo for serving as Chair of the 2015 New Member Campaign. The Chamber would also like to thank all of the team captains, volunteer recruiters, and the many members who helped support our successful campaign.

In addition, the Chamber would like to recognize the corporate and prize sponsors who contributed to the success of the campaign. The Chamber’s New Member Campaign was sponsored by Comcast Business and Heat Trace Products.  Supporting sponsors included S.J. Mullaney Engineering, Inc. and Burkart-Phelan Inc.  In addition, media sponsors for the Campaign included the Sentinel & Enterprise, Leominster Champion, Worcester Telegram & Gazette, Worcester Business Journal, WPKZ 105.3 FM, LATV, FATV, and AdviCoach.
Prize contributors included Aunty Ellen’s Creative Confections, Inc., Avidia Bank, Baker Cadillac, Inc., Brian’s Auto Repair, Buffalo Wild Wings, Clinton Savings Bank, Commit Fitness, Curves for Women, Davis’ Farmland, Devens Grill/Independent Restaurant Group, Digital Federal Credit Union, DoubleTree by Hilton, Dunkin Donuts, ECi Stores, ECO Bubbles Laundry, Enterprise Bank and Trust Company, Fitchburg Art Museum, Five Guys, Gariepy Furniture, Gatsby Grounds Company, Inc., Great Wolf Lodge, Hannaford’s, Happy Jack’s Restaurant, Hometown Bank, Il Camino Restaurant, Johnny Appleseed Visitor Center, Leominster Credit Union, Lilacs of Sterling, Maki Building Centers, McDonald’s, New Bedford Chamber of Commerce, Niche Hospitality, Northeast Promotion Apparel, Old Timer Restaurant, The Planet Fitness – Leominster, Putnam Street Bowling Lanes, Ron Bouchard Auto Stores, Roots Natural Foods, Sean Patrick’s, Shattuck Photography, South Side Grille, Subway, Super Cuts, Super Fans Deli & Pizzeria, The Bootlegger Restaurant, The Lexvest Group/Phoenix Park, UNO Pizzeria & Grill, Wachusett Brewing Company, Inc., Wachusett Mountain Ski Area, Webster First Federal Credit Union, Wyman’s Liquor Mart.  For a complete list of corporate sponsors and prize contributors please visit www.nothcentralmass.com.

NORTH CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
ANNOUNCES SUPPORT OF KINDER MORGAN PIPELINE

 The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce today announced its support of the Kinder Morgan Northeast Energy Direct Pipeline. The construction of the natural gas pipeline will provide a reliable, more affordable source of energy in a region that has been plagued by high energy costs.

“Businesses in Massachusetts face energy costs that present significant obstacles to competing in a growing economy,” said Roy Nascimento, president and CEO of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. “The pipeline will allow businesses and families to access a clean and affordable energy supply.”

According to the United States Energy Information Administration (EIA), Massachusetts ranks as the third most expensive state in the country for electricity prices. The EIA has also stated that Massachusetts has exceptionally high natural gas prices, resulting from a serious lack of pipeline capacity supplying power plants. Natural gas is used by power plants in New England to produce over 40 percent of the region’s electric power, meaning the supply of natural gas to our state significantly impacts electric rates. Gas prices are a function of supply and demand in the market, and the current regional supply infrastructure cannot meet the increasing demands of the state.

Higher energy costs also impact residents and working families in the region and the state. Residential electric rates have doubled in New England since 1990, with much of the increase occurring since 2004. In addition, about half of households in the state rely on natural gas as their primary energy source for home heating.

Kinder Morgan’s Northeast Energy Direct natural gas pipeline would deliver natural gas to the region from Pennsylvania. The project is expected to bring 1,700 jobs to Massachusetts and nearly $24 million in state and local tax revenues each year after project completion.

The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce supports measures and initiatives that support and encourage a reliable, diverse and more affordable energy supply that keeps pace with the region’s growing population and economy, while protecting our environment. Given the strained natural gas capacity in New England and the region’s increasing reliance on Natural Gas for our electricity, the North Central Massachusetts Chamber supports the development of the Kinder Morgan NED pipeline to transport natural gas into the region and state. The Chamber believes that the project will increase the availability of natural gas in New England, reduce price volatility and increase capacity to help support the future needs of the region and the Commonwealth.

The Chamber’s Board of Directors and Government Affairs Committee reviewed the project and adopted a formal position statement supporting the project on September 24, 2015.