Bids Fond Farewell to Cruz and Goulet

The Chamber is pleased to announce the addition of Maureen Babcock to the professional staff in the role of Executive Assistant. She will be responsible for managing the Chamber’s database, providing administrative and operational support, and coordinating special projects. Maureen lives in Devens and has been very active in the community, including volunteering with the Boy Scouts and Harvard Parks & Recreation. She has also served as the Chair of the Educational Advisory Committee that advises MassDevelopment on education related matters in the Devens community. She holds a Bachelor degree in Political Science/Business from Mount Saint Mary’s College and is a Certified Financial Planner. Members can contact Maureen Babcock at 978.353.7600 ext. 222 or via email at mbabcock@northcentralmass.com.

“Maureen brings a wealth of skills and experience to this dynamic and essential role, including over a decade of experience in project management, registration and program coordination,” said Roy Nascimento, President & CEO of the Chamber. “We are excited to have her join our team and contribute towards our efforts to support our members and advance our communities.”

The Chamber also announces the recent departure of Maribel Cruz and Lauren Goulet. Cruz has served as Economic Development Manager for the Chamber for over two years and recently accepted the position of Housing and Community Development Director for the City of Fitchburg. Lauren Goulet worked for the Chamber for nearly fifteen years as Operations Manager and recently accepted a position with the Azzur Group, a life sciences company expanding in Devens.

“We are saddened to lose Maribel and Lauren, but also excited for them and these new opportunities,” said Nascimento. “They have been important and dedicated members of our team and contributors to our success. I want to thank them for their hard work and commitment to the Chamber and wish them well in their new positions.”

The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce has been awarded a 5-star Accreditation as a result of its sound policies, effective organizational procedures, and positive impact on the community by the Accrediting Board of the United States Chamber of Commerce. The announcement was made to an audience of nearly 300 business and community leaders at the Chamber’s Annual Business Meeting earlier this month.

Accreditation is the only national program to recognize chambers of commerce 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, communications and technology. This comprehensive self-review was conducted over a four-month period and required preparation of an extensive application, including 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 U.S., there are currently only 140 5-Star rated chambers, which represent the top three percent of all chambers in the country. In Massachusetts, the North Central Massachusetts Chamber is one of only two chambers with this prestigious accreditation.

“When chambers of commerce earn the distinction of becoming accredited, it is a mark of excellence for the organization, its staff, and its leadership” said Raymond P. Towle, U.S. Chamber vice president, Federation Relations and Institute for Organization Management. “This rigorous review includes all aspects of a chamber’s policies, operations, and programming. Accredited chambers are recognized for their continued advocacy of free enterprise, and for their commitment to serving members and their local business communities. Congratulations on this tremendous accomplishment.”

“We are incredibly honored to receive this national designation which places us among the best chambers of commerce in the country,” said Roy M. Nascimento, president & CEO, 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.”

Local chambers are rated Accredited, 3-Stars, 4-Stars, or 5-Stars. State chambers are recognized as either Accredited State Chamber or Accredited State Chamber with Distinction. The final determination is made by the Accrediting Board.

The accreditation report noted 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 its leadership role in helping members and the community navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Chamber’s leadership in talent and workforce development. The Chamber also received special recognition for its thoughtful and impactful efforts around government affairs and volunteer recognition, and for investments it has made in technology.

National Grid announced it will donate $800,000 to eight Chambers of Commerce in Massachusetts to support local small businesses.

Each chamber will receive $100,000, which they will then distribute in grants of $1,000 to small businesses with fewer than 150 employees.

This pledge follows a similar donation by National Grid in January 2023, when the company distributed $1 million to four small business organizations to help with energy bills. The Black Economic Council of Massachusetts (BECMA), the Retailers Association of Massachusetts (RAM), the Massachusetts Restaurant Association (MRA), and the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce each received $250,000 to then distribute to their small business members.

“After seeing the positive benefit our previous grant funding effort had on the small business community of Massachusetts, we decided to expand that reach by partnering with additional chambers of commerce,” said Stephen Woerner, President of National Grid, New England. “Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, providing jobs and supporting the vibrancy of communities across Massachusetts. We’re pleased to be able to support those businesses that continue to need help as everyone continues to adjust to higher costs for basic goods and services.”

Chambers receiving the funds include: Cape Cod Chamber, Merrimack Valley Chamber, North Central Chamber of Leominster, Greater Northampton Chamber, North Shore Chamber, OneSouthCoast Chamber, South Shore Chamber, and Waltham Chamber.

“We have thousands of small businesses in our region for which these funds will help support efforts of growth and sustainability,” said Roy Nascimento, president and CEO, North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. “National Grid is a strong community partner in our region, and we are grateful they identified our Chamber as a partner for this generous funding opportunity.”

This second round of funding comes as part of National Grid’s ongoing commitment to uplifting the well-being of small business owners and entrepreneurs in Massachusetts. Previously part of its Customer Savings Initiative, National Grid has expanded upon its “season of giving” with renewed customer assistance efforts. Since October 2022, National Grid has donated $3.8 million.

About National Grid
National Grid (NYSE: NGG) is an electricity, natural gas, and clean energy delivery company serving more than 20 million people through our networks in New York and Massachusetts. National Grid is focused on building a path to a more affordable, reliable clean energy future through our fossil-free vision. National Grid is transforming our electricity and natural gas networks with smarter, cleaner, and more resilient energy solutions to meet the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

For more information, please visit our website, follow us on Twitter, watch us on YouTube, like us on Facebook and find our photos on Instagram.

Sign provides recognition of civic pride for residents and visitors alike

The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce announced it has sponsored the construction of a new welcome sign for the City of Gardner on Route 140 between the Route 2 Exit 90B off ramp and Mount Wachusett Community College.

The new sign is part of a project to construct welcoming signs at key gateways in communities throughout the region to boost civic pride and serve as a positive first impression for visitors. The project was partially funded by a grant secured by the Chamber.

The signs were designed and produced by Add-A-Sign in Leominster and represent the region’s traditional New England style. The Gardner welcome sign includes a carving of the City of Gardner seal and is painted in the proud city color of blue and gold. In addition to Gardner, similar welcome signs have been installed at key gateways in Fitchburg, Leominster, Sterling and Westminster, with additional signs planned for Hubbardston, Lunenburg and Pepperell. Each sign is carved with the community’s seal and painted to match their official colors. Additional signs will be constructed for other communities in North Central Massachusetts as funding becomes available.

“One of the goals of our regional economic redevelopment plan, One North Central, was to capitalize on our region’s unique locations,” said Roy Nascimento, President and CEO, North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. “Each city brings a distinctive experience to the region and with this project, those entering Gardner will learn about the city while receiving a warm welcome as they arrive.”

“Whether we are welcoming residents home or visitors to the Furniture Capital of New England, we are proud of our rich history here in Gardner and grateful to the Chamber for offering to install the sign as a way to share our legacy with those who travel on one of our gateway roads,” said Mayor Michael Nicholson, City of Gardner.

Funding supports business growth of Grafton spa

The North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation (NCMDC), the economic development arm of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, recently approved a $32,000 loan to Scarlet Spa and Wellness Center, located at 12 Grafton Commons in Grafton.

The loan funds helped with the purchase of new spa equipment and supplies for the expansion of the personal wellness business at its new location.

Owner Jennifer Lachapelle is a licensed esthetician who opened Scarlet Spa and Wellness Center in 2014. The center offers many opportunities for relaxation, such as massage therapy, Reiki, aromatherapy, waxing, salt therapy, and eyelash and skincare treatments.

“As a proud spa owner, I am happy to offer my customers quality services,” Lachapelle said. “With the support of the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation, my business has a new place to call home and will offer me opportunities for continued growth.”. Jennifer was referred to the NCMDC from bankHometown. She also received assistance with her business plan from the Small Business Development Center at Clark University. For more information visit https://scarletspa.org.

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.