All-Day Workshops Scheduled for Entrepreneurs in Devens, MA with Special Guest Speaker Senator Jamie Eldridge

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The North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation and North Middlesex Savings Bank are holding two business workshops on January 25, 2017 aimed at assisting potential and existing entrepreneurs.

These free workshops are approximately 2 hours each and are being held in partnership with the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, Massachusetts Small Business Development Center, SCORE, NewVue Communities, Center For Women & Enterprise, and the Town of Ayer’s Economic Development Office.  Both workshops will each run approximately two and a half hours and will be held at the Mount Wachusett Community College Devens Campus, 27 Jackson Rd, Devens on Wednesday, January 25.

“Financial literacy for small business owners is key to making smart business decisions given that financial services are often made in-house by small businesses,” said State Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton). “Small businesses are the backbone of local economies across Massachusetts, and workshops like these provide people with the necessary knowledge and tools for financial success.”

Session I: Fundamentals in Planning, Preparing, and Financing Your Business will run from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and will focus on evaluating and understanding the fundamentals of owning one’s own business.  Information on how to get started, where and how to get financing and the loan application process will be presented.  Registration begins at 8:00. Continental breakfast will be provided for all participants.  Presented by Bob Aspel, SCORE
Session II: Understanding the Purpose of Financial Statements and How They Can Help Determine the Health of Your Business will run from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and will focus on understanding a balance sheet, income statement and cash flow statement.  The workshop will also explain how a small business owner can anticipate financial needs in order to operate his/her business more efficiently.  Registration begins at 11:30. Lunch will be provided for all participants. Presented by Robert C. Alario, CPA

 

To register, please contact Sandie Cataldo at 978-353-7607 ext. 232 or .  You may also register online at northcentralmass.com.

Johnny Appleseed Country Receives National Recognition from Sports Industry

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SportsEvents Media Group, the leading industry publication focused exclusively on helping sporting event planners produce excellent competitions in the United States, has announced Johnny Appleseed Country as one of its 2017 Readers’ Choice Award winners.  Winners were announced in the January 2017 issue of SportsEvents.  This is the second year in a row that Johnny Appleseed Country has received the award.

Sports event professionals were asked to nominate destinations and sports venues that they believe display exemplary creativity and professionalism toward the groups they host. Nominations were received from readers throughout the year, and the top picks were selected based on results from an online voting system.

“To be recognized nationally by the industry professionals who plan sporting events every day is very exciting and humbling,” said Roy M. Nascimento, President & CEO of the Johnny Appleseed Trail Association. “It’s very rewarding to see our hard work to position North Central Massachusetts as a premier destination for amateur sporting events and competitions be recognized with this honor.”

“It is clear, based on our readers’ experiences, that these award winners are willing to go above and beyond typical service levels to help sports event planners produce outstanding events that participants, their families and spectators will want to experience again and again,” said John Rezell, executive editor of SportsEvents

Sporting events is a market that has been targeted for growth in North Central Massachusetts.  According to the National Association of Sports Commissions, travel sports spending nationally amounted to nearly $9 billion last year.

Families, athletes and attendees spend nights in hotels, fill restaurants and take in the local sights while attending a tournament or amateur sports event. This generates tax dollars for local communities, creates jobs, and contributes to economic vitality of the communities in the region. Sporting events can have a significant economic impact, but is a highly competitive market. The region is well positioned to benefit from the sporting industry with many high quality sports facilities and amenities.

The Johnny Appleseed Trail Association has worked collectively with local communities, economic development officials and attractions in the region on marketing efforts to target event organizers and other decision makers in the sports industry.

The tourism industry is the third largest industry in Massachusetts, and a major driver for the North Central Massachusetts economy. Tourists spend $127 million a year in North Central Massachusetts, supporting thousands of jobs, local businesses and providing millions of dollars in local tax revenue.

 

Partnerships Make Fitchburg Brewery Possible

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The North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation (NCMDC) has recently granted a small business loan for $75,000 to River Styx Brewery, LLC to be located in Downtown Fitchburg.

NCMDC granted a loan to Jackie and Scott Cullen to assist with opening River Styx Brewery, a 10-barrel brewery and tap room to be located at 166 Boulder Drive in Fitchburg.  The Cullen’s have been small batch brewing as well as traveling the country to different breweries for many years preparing to enter into this growing industry and are scheduled to open next summer joining many new small businesses in downtown Fitchburg.  This loan was in partnership with the City of Fitchburg and the Fitchburg Redevelopment Authority and will create four new jobs.  The NCMDC funds will be used to assist with the leasehold improvements and equipment.

“We are very excited to welcome River Styx Brewing to downtown Fitchburg, where we have been focusing a great deal of our economic development efforts” said Fitchburg Mayor Stephen L. DiNatale. “River Styx fits well within our creative economy, and we know that it will serve as a catalyst to bring people and tourists into the city to enjoy all that Fitchburg has to offer.”

“Our experience with RiverStyx Brewing was a good reminder that through partnerships and collaborations, we can really make an impact on our regional economy,” said Roy Nascimento, President and CEO of the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation.

For more information about the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation please call 978.353.7607 or visit www.ChooseNorthCentral.com.

David Ginisi Selected for Membership Services Position

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The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the addition of David Ginisi to its professional staff in the position of Member Services Associate.  Mr. Ginisi is a recent graduate of Fitchburg State University with a bachelor’s degree in communications with a concentration in professional communications.

He was a member of the dean’s list at Fitchburg State University and also volunteered at Special Olympics.  He is a native of Worcester and graduated from Holy Name High School.  He was hired after completing a full time semester long internship at the Chamber where he had an opportunity to experience the day-to-day operations of the organization, interacted with members and community leaders and helped with the launch of new programs such as the Chamber’s Gift Local Gift Card.

In this new position, Mr. Ginisi will be responsible for helping raise the Chamber’s visibility and educating  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 welcome David as part of our team,” said Roy M. Nascimento, President & CEO of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce.  “During his internship David showed his ability to take on a variety of tasks and excel. We are confident he will make a strong contribution to our organization.”

His early goals will be to expand the Chamber’s presence in communities across North Central Massachusetts; work with local businesses to increase tourism efforts; 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 David at 978.353.7600 ext. 240 or via email at .

North Central Development Corporation Launches “A Second Chance” Loan Program

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The North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation (NCMDC) today announces the launch of its new “A Second Chance” loan program to assist start-up and existing small businesses that have been declined financing through their bank, credit union or other lending institution.

Under this new program, any business that has had their loan request denied can bring it to the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation to have the request reviewed by its experienced loan officers. The NCMDC will provide a free, no obligation second look at the loan request, thus giving the loan request “a second chance” at receiving approval.  The NCMDC has more flexibility and less stringent guidelines than traditional lenders.  The NCMDC also partners with many financial institutions and may be able to work with the bank to help with funding approval.

The new program was developed to help start-up and existing small businesses that find themselves in a situation where they are having difficulty securing the financing that they need to grow their business.  New banking restrictions put in place during the economic collapse of 2008 and strict underwriting guidelines from banks have made it increasingly more difficult for entrepreneurs and small businesses to secure financing of less than $100,000.  The NCMDC provides loans up to $75,000 that can be used for working capital, leasehold improvements, machinery and equipment, furniture and fixtures and refinancing of business credit card debt.  Eligible businesses include both start-up and existing businesses such as restaurants, retail shops, service businesses, small manufacturers, home-based businesses or other businesses that would typically meet the definition of a small business.

“Providing additional financing options shows that we are committed to helping small businesses grow and prosper in the region,” said Roy Nascimento, President & CEO of the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation. “Helping small businesses is crucial to growing jobs and advancing North Central Massachusetts.”

The North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation (NCMDC) is a non-profit corporation with the mission of creating jobs and improving the economy of North Central Massachusetts.  The NCMDC works in partnership with local banks, credit unions, chambers of commerce and area nonprofits to support emerging microenterprises, small businesses, and community projects with loans and business assistance.  The NCMDC is certified by the U.S. Department of the Treasury under the Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) program and is a micro-loan intermediary for the U.S. Small Business Administration.  Since 1996, the NCMDC has granted over $4.3 million in loans to small businesses to help grow jobs and the economy in 26 communities in the North Central Massachusetts region.  In addition, these funds were leveraged with local financial institutions providing $14.8 Million of their funds and local investors and business owners providing another $3.2 Million. Thousands of new jobs have been created in the region as a result of the loans made.

For more information about the “A Second Chance” loan program or the other loan programs available through the NCMDC, please call 978.353.7607 or visit www.choosenorthcentral.com.

Leominster City Council Maintains Single Tax Rate

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Following a long tradition of creating a business friendly environment, the Leominster City Council voted to maintain a single tax rate during a council meeting on December 12th. The single tax rate bills both commercial property and residential property at the same rate.

“Through a single tax rate, the City of Leominster has a history of embracing growth, and supporting the business community,” said Roy Nascimento, president and CEO of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce “That message to the business community has had a profound impact on the city – and Leominster has been rewarded with new businesses, business expansion and a solid commercial tax base.”

The city council voted unanimously to maintain a single tax rate. The average single family property tax bill will increase by $174, the average industrial property tax bill will increase by $236 and the average commercial property tax bill will increase by $5.

 

Background on Property Tax Classification Hearings

Each year, communities hold a Property Tax Classification Hearing to determine the rates at which residential, commercial, and industrial and personal property are taxed. There are two models for property taxes: single rate and dual rate. The single rate means that both residential properties and commercial properties are taxed at the same rate. A dual rate system means that one group – typically businesses, shoulders more of the tax burden pays a higher rate of taxes based on a property’s assessed value.

A single rate tax system has come to be the best model for business friendly communities. Many argue that a higher tax rate for commercial properties does not create a business friendly environment.

January Edition of Good Morning North Central features new director of MassTech

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The next edition of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber’s popular Good Morning North Central breakfast series is scheduled for Friday, January 13, 2017 from 6:45 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. at the Doubletree by Hilton, 99 Erdman Way, Leominster, MA.  The January edition is sponsored by the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts.

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 speaker for the January edition is Tim Connelly, the new executive director of the Massachusetts Tech Collaborative, or MassTech. The program also includes a presentation by  Charley Valera, author of “My Father’s War: Memories from Our Honored WWII Soldiers”.

Connelly is an experienced leader with distinguished career in financial services, as well as a passion for civic engagement, social impact, workforce development, and regional economic growth.  Prior to his selection to lead MassTech, he was employed at Brown Brothers Harriman, where he spent 30 years working as a managing director, and as a General Partner. At Brown Brothers Harriman, he led service delivery enterprise, innovation and product support, and investor services units. He retired from the firm in December, 2014.

He currently serves on the technology advisory board of BDO Consulting. He is a member of the board of directors of the United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley, and chaired the United Way’s 2014-2015 development campaign. Connelly is also a member of the board of trustees of the Carroll School and New England Disabled Sports, a Corporator of Northeastern University, and he serves on the finance and investment committee at the Cotting School.

Charley Valera has always had a fascination with WWII and its effects on the soldiers and their families. Charley knew his father was a WWII veteran and, like most of us, he never asked what life was like during the war. Years after Valera’s father passed away, taking his stories with him, he was determined to document the lives of other veterans. Within the pages are over two years of interviewing dozens of veterans. Charley writes articles and blogs for various media on topics from real estate to aviation. A licensed commercial pilot, realtor, author, public speaker, father of two boys and husband to Cheryl, Charley also owns and runs the FCA Flight Center, a flight training school in central Massachusetts

The cost is just $25 for Chamber members/$40 non-members and includes a breakfast buffet. Season Tickets are also available for purchase.  Pre-registration is required. For more information or to register, please contact the Chamber at 978.353.7600 ext. 235 or visit www.northcentralmass.com.

The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce welcomed Help For Our Community

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The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce welcomed Help For Our Community as a new member in November.

Help For Our Community is a Fitchburg-based non-profit organization that serves the homeless and other disadvantaged populations in 14 North Central Mass communities with a variety of emergency-based programs.

2016 will be the 16th year that HFOC has been cooking and delivering hot meals on Thanksgiving and Christmas days, anticipating the demand for more than 750 meals this holiday season.  Throughout the year, HFOC also gathers supplies for school back-packs for foster children, kits of necessities for homeless families, and a monthly diaper pantry for struggling moms.  The Fitchburg, Leominster, and Gardner fire departments rely on HFOC when a family may be in need in the event of a house fire.  They are called in to gather information on the individuals to help provide clothing, toiletries, gift cards for grocery stores, and small household items.  All of the resources come from community members who are able to secure items and pass them along through HFOC’s efforts.

People in need may not know where to turn, and HFOC is able to direct them to services in place, in order to maximize the impact of other local organizations such as Meals on Wheels, the VA, and senior centers.  But HFOC is often asked to “fill the gaps” in existing programs.  Many people have come to rely on their work, so HFOC is constantly in need of volunteers, financial support, and donations of important supplies.

While HFOC hopes to open a donation center in future, monetary donations can be made at Digital Federal Credit Union (DCU) branches at 350 John Fitch Highway in Fitchburg or 1123 Central Street in Leominster.  To donate food or other goods, please call director Tami Arguelles on (978) 846-6426.  More information is available on their Facebook page.

Shop Local This Holiday Season

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Shop Local This Holiday Season

By Anthony Mercadante

 

With the holiday season before us, there is no doubt we are all thinking about shopping and the gifts we want to buy for the people in our lives. With our busy schedules and holiday parties, it’s easy to consider turning to the internet to get your shopping done. But that type of shopping often has consequences on your community. This holiday season, I encourage you to shop local. Not only does this support your local businesses, but it has profound rewards for your community.

When you buy goods and services from local businesses and merchants, the money you spend stays in our communities.  National research shows that for every $100 spent at a locally owned business, $48 stays in our cities and towns.  That’s compared to only $14 of $100 that is spent at a chain and just $1 when spent at large e-commerce retailers.  Those dollars support the essential services that we all rely on, including police, fire, schools, streets and more.

Local and independent small businesses are also more likely to give back to the community, create more jobs and opportunities, and support other small businesses in the community.  Small businesses also work hard to keep your trust each and every day, providing unparalleled products and services.  All of this helps to strengthen our communities and contributes to our quality of life.

On November 26th, Small Business Saturday was celebrated across the nation. This movement encourages shoppers to support small businesses after the Thanksgiving holiday. There are no stampedes or trampled shoppers on Small Business Saturday, but friendly faces welcoming local shoppers. I think when you start to calculate the economic impact that shopping local has, you’ll realize just what a bargain it is.

There are many tools to shopping local – and even gifts that help support local businesses. In North Central Massachusetts, we recently developed a gift card called “Gift Local” to encourage shopping local. With nearly 50 businesses currently participating, consumers are given a choice when deciding on where and how they want to spend their money. We have made it easy for you to shop local, and we hope you take us up on our offer.

I’m passionate about shopping local because investing in local business is good for our regional economy. The many business owners in our region who work hard to keep their doors open, create jobs, and fill needs in our community deserve our business.

For more information on how to shop local, visit www.GiftLocalMass.com or www.NorthCentralMass.com.

Anthony J. Mercadante, CPA is Managing Partner of Mercadante & Mercadante, PC, a certified public accounting firm based in Fitchburg. Mr. Mercadante is also the Chairman of the Board for the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce.

Getting to Know Your Chamber Scheduled for Wednesday, November 30, 2016

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The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce will host “Getting to Know Your Chamber” on Wednesday, November 30, 2016 from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. at the Chamber’s headquarters located at 860 South Street, Fitchburg, MA. This presentation is designed to help new members navigate the perks and programs of Chamber membership, but is equally valuable for current members who want to get the most value from their membership, or those interested in learning if chamber membership is right for them.

Chamber staff will explain the many benefits and programs of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce including networking events, government affairs, educational workshops and seminars, advertising opportunities and health insurance, to name just a few.  There is no cost to attend the “Getting to Know Your Chamber” meeting, but pre-registration is required.  Register online at www.NorthCentralMass.com/news/calendar-of-events/.

Business owners unable to attend but interested in learning more about Chamber membership may contact Jeff Ardis, Manager of Member Services and Business Development at 978.353.7600 ext. 234 or by sending an email to to schedule a one-to-one meeting.