Chamber’s development arm closes out a successful year
Paid Family Medical Leave Information
On October 1, 2019, collection of the payroll tax associated with the state’s new Paid Family and Medical Leave Program went into effect. All employees and employers are impacted by this tax, unless they have instituted a comparable and state approved private plan in the program’s place. Below is some further information regarding your rights and obligations as an employer under this program.
Videos:
November Edition of Good Morning North Central features Governor Charlie Baker and Local Author Mark Bodanza
The Good Morning North Central series is a high-profile, fast-paced and educational breakfast program geared towards executives, senior managers, professionals and business owners. Each of the programs has a business-oriented focus and features popular speakers to present on topics of interest to local businesses.
The featured speakers for the November edition are Governor Charlie Baker and local author and lawyer, Mark Bodanza.
Charles Duane Baker Jr. is an American businessman and politician serving as the 72nd Governor of Massachusetts since January 8, 2015. A Republican, he was a cabinet official under two Governors of Massachusetts and served ten years as CEO of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care.
Raised in Needham, Massachusetts, Baker graduated from Harvard and obtained an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. In 1991, he became Massachusetts Undersecretary of Health and Human Services under Governor Bill Weld. In 1992, he was appointed Secretary of Health and Human Services of Massachusetts. He later served as Secretary of Administration and Finance under Weld and his successor, Paul Cellucci.
Mark C. Bodanza is a Leominster resident, accomplished writer, avid historian and successful trial lawyer. He has previously published eight books and numerous newspaper columns, and he has been a guest commentator on radio and television programs nationwide. Mark has also appeared as a lecturer at schools and colleges throughout the country. Risk Takers and History Makers is his ninth book. Mark’s interest in Leominster’s history is as strong as his participation in the city’s present: Mark served as Leominster’s city solicitor from 1990 to 1994 and is currently a city councilor and chairman of the council’s finance committee. He also serves as the chairman of the Leominster Board of Library Trustees.
The cost is just $27 for Chamber members/$42 non-members and includes a breakfast buffet. Tables of ten are also available. Pre-registration is required. For more information or to register, please contact Kathleen Deal at 978.353.7600 ext. 235, or click here.
Visit North Central Massachusetts Donates to Firefighters
“We are extremely grateful to the hard working and dedicated members of the associations for their efforts and assistance this year with the Appleseed Country Fair,” said Roy M. Nascimento, president & CEO of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce and Visit North Central Massachusetts. “The volunteers from the Athol and Phillipston Firefighters’ Associations were critical in helping to organize the parking during the fair and did an amazing job of getting everyone in and out safely, quickly and easily.”
The Appleseed Country Fair welcomed over 12,000 attendees this year and featured over 50 vendors that range from artisans and crafters to food, beer and wine. Live music and a variety of family friendly activities entertained visitors all weekend.
Chamber Welcomes Timothy Hartigan
The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the addition of Timothy Hartigan to its professional staff in the position of Membership Sales Manager.
In this position, Mr. Hartigan will be responsible for managing the Chamber’s membership recruitment and retention efforts. His mission will be to raise the Chamber’s visibility and educate businesses in the region about the Chamber’s service offerings, promoting the benefits of membership and ensuring that current members enjoy maximum value for their investment.
“We are excited to have Tim join our team and help lead our member relations efforts,” said Roy M. Nascimento, President & CEO. “His experience will be a tremendous resource for our members and a great help in our work to advance the North Central Massachusetts economy.”
Hartigan is a native of Leominster and is active in the community, including coaching youth sports and fundraising for local schools. He brings to the Chamber a broad background in sales and business, including experience owning and operating two local small businesses. Most recently, he served as a client advisor for the Rolls-Royce, Lamborghini, Maserati Dealership of Wayland. Hartigan is a graduate of Mount Ida College with a bachelor’s degree in business administration
His early goals will be to expand the Chamber’s presence in communities across North Central Massachusetts and find the best ways to help members grow their business with assistance from the Chamber and its affiliates.
Existing members or businesses interested in learning more about the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce can reach Tim at 978.353.7600 ext. 244 or via email at .
Congressional Luncheon Scheduled for October 10, 2019
This event will provide Chamber members and community leaders the opportunity to hear directly from members of the U.S. House of Representatives regarding business issues and critical matters facing the nation.
Before his election to Congress, McGovern spent 14 years working as a senior aide for the late U.S. Representative John Joseph Moakley (D-South Boston), former dean of the Massachusetts delegation and Chairman of the House Rules Committee. He was born in Worcester, the son of two successful small business owners. His two sisters are elementary school teachers in Worcester’s public school system.
McGovern earned his Bachelor of Arts (‘81) and Masters of Public Administration (‘84) degrees from The American University, working his way through college by serving as an aide in the office of U.S. Senator George McGovern (D-SD). 
Congresswoman Trahan was elected to the House of Representatives this past year following Congresswoman Tsongas’ decision to not seek reelection. She has since
been appointed to the House Committees on Education and Labor and Armed Services, has played an active role in securing federal designation of the Nashua River as a scenic waterway, and has filed legislation addressing the opioid epidemic and supporting career readiness programming in public high schools. Part of the vaunted “Pink Wave”- the largest female caucus elected to the US Congress to date- the Congresswoman holds the distinction of being the first Portuguese American woman ever to serve on Capitol Hill.
Prior to her election, Trahan served in Congressman Meehan’s office- the same office she now holds- for nearly a decade, rising to become his chief of staff. She went on to take an executive’s post in the technology sector before cofounding the woman owned and operated consulting firm, Concire. In this role, she provided client companies advice on business strategy and steps they could take to ensure staff success- with a particular focus on female employees.
The daughter of working class parents, she was the first in family to graduate from college, attending George Mason University on a Volleyball scholarship.
Make sure that you reserve your spot early to hear from our congressional delegation on the many critical issues facing the business community in Washington D.C.
Pre-registration is required and easy. Simply call the Chamber at 978.353.7600 ext. 222, or register here.
The “Big Apple of New England” Unveiled in North Central Massachusetts
The Big Apple of New England joins a growing collection of unique items at the center that showcase the twenty seven communities of North Central Massachusetts. These include the bronze sculpture of the young Johnny Appleseed that greets visitors outside the doors of the Johnny Appleseed Visitors Center and 91 apple trees located on the premises, including three Rambo trees that are direct descendants of the last remaining tree known to be planted by Johnny Appleseed. These three trees were planted from saplings from a 200+ year old tree in Nova, Ohio that is the last known tree planted by Johnny Appleseed. The American Historical Forestry provided the saplings from the tree in 2003.
The Johnny Appleseed Visitors Center also includes a hand-painted mural of the four seasons in its interior, as well as a large collection of historical items that showcase the region’s heritage. Unique historical items in the center’s collection include a vintage Iver Johnson Bicycle, pieces of equipment from the region’s agricultural past, old Wachusett Mountain Ski Area items, and a large collection of Johnny Appleseed memorabilia. In addition, the grounds of the center feature a plaque honoring Johnny Appleseed and a unique commemorative bench made from a ski chair contributed by Wachusett Mountain Ski Area. The chair was donated in 2014 and refurbished and hand painted with a Johnny Appleseed mural by local students.
The center also features a popular gift shop that carries many local products including jams, jellies, honey, maple syrup, fudge, chocolates, cheese, sparkling cider, donuts and that local icon of American kitsch – the pink plastic flamingo! Visitors to the center can also find a wide selection of books highlighting the history of the region, plus good-quality logo merchandise and souvenir items.
“We are blessed to live in an area steeped in heritage, culture and the great outdoors. We hope this apple serves as a beacon for travelers 
“The Johnny Appleseed Visitors Center is not your run of the mill rest stop! The center has evolved into a one of a kind destination that helps to welcome, engage and promote the twenty seven communities that comprise North Central Massachusetts,” said Roy M. Nascimento, President and CEO of Visit North Central Massachusetts. “We are excited to unveil this new attraction at the center that helps to tell the story of this dynamic and beautiful region. We are very grateful for the strong partnerships that we have with our local communities, businesses and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation that helped to make this project a reality.”
“The Big Apple of New England is a great addition to North Central Massachusetts!” said Mayor Dean Mazzarella of the City of Leominster, Massachusetts. “We are very excited to have this incredible monument that connects back to our heritage as the birthplace of Johnny Appleseed and that welcomes visitors to our region. We wholeheartedly support the efforts of Visit North Central Massachusetts and think this will be a fun and unique addition to the visitors center.”
“As Mayor of Fitchburg, our City takes great pride in our North Central Massachusetts culture. The revealing of The Big Apple of New England is a symbol of our pride, promotes our region, and is a welcoming addition to the Johnny Appleseed Visitors Center!” said Mayor Stephen DiNatale of the City of Fitchburg, Massachusetts. “Fitchburg is thankful to have a partner like Visit North Central Massachusetts to showcase all the wonderful attributes our region has to offer.”
“All across America the roadsides are dotted with interesting attractions, oddities and draws. As the home of the Big Chair, I am excited that our area will also be home to the Big Apple,” said Mayor Mark Hawke of the City of Gardner, Massachusetts. “This adds another reason to stop in and see all the wonderful offerings of North Central Massachusetts showcased at the Johnny Appleseed Visitors Center.”
The Johnny Appleseed Visitors Center, considered by many the gateway to North Central Massachusetts, opened in 1997 as a way to welcome people traveling through the region and give them a place to stop, stretch their legs, and learn more about the twenty-seven communities in North Central Massachusetts and what they have to offer for visitors and families. Over 165,000 people walk through the visitor center doors every year.
The Johnny Appleseed Visitors Center is located at 1000 Rte. 2 Westbound, between exit 34 & 35, in Lancaster, MA. It is open 361 days a year. Normal business hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information, please call 978.353.7604 ext. 225 or visit www.visitnorthcentral.com.
Keneally Meets w/ Chamber Leaders
The Chamber closed out the summer by meeting with the state’s new Secretary of Housing and Economic Development on August 22. Taking the reins from Jay Ash earlier in the year, Secretary Michael Kennealy serves as the Commonwealth’s chief economic development officer. In this capacity, he oversees the Massachusetts Offices of Business Development; Travel and Tourism; and International Trade and Investment – to name just a few. As the region’s leading business and economic development organization, the Chamber convened the meeting to engage the new Secretary and highlight economic development priorities in North Central Massachusetts. A range of topics were discussed, including streamlined permitting, tourism promotion, workforce development, manufacturing, housing and the impact the state’s business assistance programs deliver.
“We value the partnerships that we have with Secretary Kennealy’s office and look forward to working collectively with him and his team in the future to grow the economy here in North Central Massachusetts.” said Roy Nascimento, President & CEO of the North Central Massachusetts Chamebr of Commerce. “This was a great opportunity to brief the new Secretary on the opportunities and challenges here in our dynamic region of the state.”
The Chamber and its affiliates have long maintained a strong relationship with the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development. As the new Secretary moves ahead with efforts to expand the Commonwealth’s housing options and publish a new five year economic development plan, the Chamber will be sure to provide any assistance it can while advocating for the needs of local employers.
The Chamber wishes to thank Chamber member AIS, Inc. for hosting the meeting at their headquarters in Leominster.
Fall Guide to North Central Massachusetts Out Now!
