The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce has been awarded 4-star Accreditation from the accrediting board of the United States Chamber of Commerce for its sound policies, effective organizational procedures, and positive impact on the community. The announcement was made to an audience of over 300 business and community leaders at the Chamber’s Annual Business Meeting this past Thursday.

Accreditation is the only national program that recognizes chambers for their effective organizational procedures and community involvement. In order to achieve this recognition, a chamber must meet minimum standards in their operations and programs, including areas of governance, government affairs, and technology. This comprehensive self-review took over six  months to complete and required preparation of an extensive application, compilation and review of volumes of materials required by the Accrediting Board and demonstration of competency in nine core areas ranging from finance to facilities.

Of the approximately 7,000 chambers in the United States, only 204 have earned the recognition as an accredited chamber of commerce. These elite institutions represent the top 3% of all chambers in the United States.  In Massachusetts, the North Central Massachusetts Chamber is one of only four chambers to have received accreditation, and is the only chamber in Central Massachusetts.

“Accredited chambers are an essential part of the business community’s efforts to promote economic growth and job creation across the country,” said Raymond P. Towle, IOM, CAE, U.S. Chamber vice president of Federation Relations and Institute for Organization Management.  “This designation recognizes the positive impact these organizations have had within their communities, and it honors their commitment to continuing to serve local businesses.”

“We are incredibly honored to receive this national designation that places us among the best chambers of commerce in the country,” said Roy M. Nascimento, President & CEO of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. “We challenged ourselves to improve our Chamber for the betterment of our members and our region. Receiving this accreditation only motivates us to continue to remain engaged, active and innovative on behalf of our members and communities in North Central Massachusetts.”

The accreditation report noted that the North Central Massachusetts Chamber has demonstrated an excellent track record of operating a successful chamber and achieving desirable results for its members. Several of the Chamber’s programs, events and initiatives were highlighted for special recognition, including the loan programs of its economic development arm and its special forums. The Chamber also received special recognition for its successful efforts in expanding its government affairs and advocacy capabilities for the benefit of its members and region, as well as for its brand standards and guidelines.

The Chamber’s Annual Meeting was held on June 14, 2018 and also included recognition awards and the commencement for the 2018 class of the Chamber’s Community Leadership Institute.

Featuring Deborah Weymouth of UMassMemorial HealthAlliance-Clinton Hospital

The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce is proud to partner with the Town of Clinton; Clinton Public Schools; and UMassMemorial HealthAlliance-Clinton Hospital to host the Second Annual Clinton Business Forum on Wednesday, June 20, 2018 from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.  The forum will take place this year at the Clinton Campus of UMassMemorial HealthAlliance-Clinton Hospital located at 201 Highland Street in Clinton.  The forum is a great opportunity for local business owners, public officials and community leaders to connect as well as learn more about future happenings in the Town of Clinton, upcoming events, available resources, and how businesses can be more actively involved. A light breakfast will be provided.

Brief welcoming remarks will be delivered by Senate President Harriette L. Chandler; Senator Dean Tran and Representative Harold Naughton. The formal program will feature presentations from guest speakers; Dr. Steven Meyer, Superintendent of Clinton Public Schools; Phil Duffy, Director of the Community and Economic Development Office for the Town of Clinton; Roy Nascimento, President & CEO of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce; and Deborah Weymouth, President & CEO of UMassMemorial HealthAlliance-Clinton Hospital.

The event is free for any local business owners and professionals, but pre-registration is required. For more information or to register for the Clinton Business Forum visit NorthCentralMass.com/calendar or contact the Chamber at 978.353.7600 ext. 235 or email mmccaffrey@northcentralmass.com.

Over the last decade, a seemingly mundane topic has come to dominate the political debate. At the state and the federal levels, healthcare and the method by which it is funded have grown into contentious issues capable of eliciting heated discussion. This is especially true in Massachusetts, a state which struggles with ever rising medical costs despite serving as home to some of the nation’s leading hospitals. Just this past April, the state’s House of Representatives included a $16 billion allocation to MassHealth in their state budget proposal. Compared to the budget as a whole, that amounts to forty one percent of all proposed spending by the Commonwealth.

Recognizing this challenge, Governor Baker attempted to encourage enrollment in private insurance programs. Last year, he proposed a two pronged approach. The Administration would address a growing deficit in the state insurance system by temporarily increasing the employer medical assistance contribution (EMAC) businesses pay on a quarterly basis. At the same time, it would have instituted reforms removing any individual with access to private insurance from MassHealth’s rolls, slowing the program’s growth. While businesses agreed to this compromise with the understanding that steps were being taken to address the underlying problem, the Legislature eliminated the proposed changes to MassHealth and left employers with no such assurances.

As though this were not bad enough, many business owners were shocked in April when they received their first quarterly “contribution”. The new EMAC appraisal established two tiers of assessment. The first increased the existing annual EMAC charge from $51 per employee to $77, an additional cost of fifty one percent! However, if an employee is identified as a MassHealth member, the second tier is applied. This sets the charge for such employees at five percent of their wage up to $15,000, setting annual charges as high as $750 an employee! Moreover, these taxes apply to businesses with as few as six employees, and include both seasonal and part time workers when calculating the charge.

Employers have been frustrated further by the fact that they were never made aware of which employees, if any, were enrolled with MassHealth. This prevented them from offering those individuals insurance or at least setting aside funds for a charge they could have otherwise anticipated. At this Chamber, one member reported receiving a bill for $6,000 the first quarter. As a restauranteur with tight margins and limited ability to provide his employees healthcare, this individual estimates his assessment to amount to $20,000 by the year’s end.

The Governor initiated this program with the intention of bridging a $260 million gap in MassHealth’s budget over two years. As of this month, the Commonwealth appears likely to achieve this goal early. If this occurs, we hope he will follow through on his promise to end this costly experiment and return the EMAC to its original levels. In the meantime, steps should be taken to mitigate the program’s impact on small businesses. For a small retailer or eatery dependent upon part time labor, an unexpected expense of $750 can have a devastating impact. If nothing else, the Administration can take a more active approach in notifying businesses of what their contribution is likely to be and informing them of which employees are in need of health insurance.

Any businesses impacted by this assessment should consider reaching out to their local legislators. A directory of the region’s state senators and representatives can be found at the Chamber’s website by clicking here. We ask that you share your experience and any questions you may have with us as well. Please call Christopher McDermott, the Chamber’s Public Affairs Manager, at 978.353.7600 ext. 224 or email him at cmcdermott@northcentralmass.com to do so. We are keenly aware of this program’s impact on local business and want to be sure that your voice is heard.

Diane Burnette, manager of the Johnny Appleseed Visitors’ Center and Matt Myers, marketing and communications manager were recently honored by the Massachusetts Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (MACCE) with distinguished service awards.

Burnette was recognized for twenty years of service in the chamber of commerce industry and Myers was recognized for five years of service.

The Massachusetts Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (MACCE) recognized its 2018 Service Awards at its Annual Meeting held on April 6, 2018 in Worcester, MA.  MACCE Service Awards recognize and promote chamber professionals in Massachusetts who have achieved significant years of service in the chamber industry.

Myers started working at the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce in 2013 as a marketing intern while completing his communications degree from Fitchburg State University and was subsequently hired as marketing coordinator for the Chamber’s tourism arm, the Johnny Appleseed Trail Association. He was promoted to marketing and communication manager in 2016. He is responsible for managing the marketing initiatives for the Chamber and its affiliate organizations.

A lifelong resident of Fitchburg, Burnette started with the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce in 1998 as an administrative assistant and worked her way up to the manager of the Johnny Appleseed Visitors’ Center.  She is responsible for managing the day to day operations and overseeing staff at the visitor center on Route 2 in Lancaster, MA.

“Diane and Matt are important contributors to the success of the Chamber,” said Roy M. Nascimento, president & CEO of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. “This recognition is well deserved and a testament to their professionalism and dedication to our members and communities in North Central Massachusetts.”