The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce will host its Legislative and Candidates Reception on September 22, 2016 from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. at the Chocksett Inn on 59 Laurelwood Road in Sterling, MA. The event is intended to offer the region with an upscale networking event that connects business and community leaders with the region’s elected officials, as well as those seeking public office.

“This is a great opportunity for our business and community leaders, as well as our public officials to gather for an evening of networking and collegial discussion,” said Roy Nascimento, President and CEO of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. “We look forward to joining our legislators at a unique venue like the Chocksett Inn.”

The Legislative and Candidates Reception is one of the Chamber’s premier events of the season, with over 125 federal, state, and local elected officials invited. Mount Wachusett Community College joined the event as premier sponsor. “Connecting our community and those in a position to effect change is important to Mount Wachusett Community College,” said MWCC President Daniel M. Asquino. “We are delighted to support this opportunity for engaged business leaders, legislators, and policy-makers to meet and network in our region.”

“Gaining access to legislators and those who seek public office is just as important for small business owners as it is for CEO’s in the region,” said Ken Gurge, Esq., Chamber Board Member and Chair of the Government Affairs Committee. “This will be a tremendous opportunity for anyone with passion for North Central Massachusetts.”

Tara Williams, the Chamber’s young professionals committee Chairwoman and Assistant Branch Manager at Worker’s Credit Union, takes an active role in the Chamber’s various events. “As a young professional, it’s important for me to get to know my legislators and make changes in my community. I look forward to discussing how we can work together for the future of North Central with them at the Legislative and Candidates Reception.”
Confirmed elected officials and candidates scheduled to attend as of August 22, 2016 are: Attorney General Maura Healey; Worcester County Sherriff Lewis Evangelidis; State Senator James Eldridge; State Senator Jennifer Flanagan; State Representative Jennifer Benson; State Representative Kim Ferguson; State Representative Stephan Hay; State Representative Susannah Whipps Lee; State Representative Jon Zlotnik; Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale; Gardner Mayor Mark Hawke; Leominster Mayor Dean Mazzarella; Fitchburg City Councilor Jeffrey Bean; Fitchburg City Councilor Angelo Bisol; Leominster City Councilor Sue Chalifoux Zephir; Groton Selectman Peter Cunningham; Leominster City Councilor John Dombrowski; Leominster City Councilor Gail Feckley; Lancaster Selectman Mark Grasson; Fitchburg City Councilor Amy Green; Fitchburg City Council President Michael Kushmerek; Leominster City Councilor James Lanciani; Leominster City Councilor & Candidate for State Representative Rick Marchand; Lancaster Selectman Stanley Starr; Fitchburg City Councilor Dean Tran; and Candidate for State Representative Thomas “Frank” Ardinger.

Government affairs and public policy advocacy is a key component to the Chamber’s efforts to promoting a healthy and active business climate throughout the region. Recognizing that the business community and legislators are partners in economic vitality and growth, events like these align well with the Chamber’s mission.

Sponsored by Mount Wachusett Community College, the event will feature an open bar and gourmet appetizers and hors d’oeuvres. Cost for members is $20 and non-members is $30. Registration is available online at www.northcentralmass.com. Please contact Maria McCaffrey at 978.353.7600 ext. 235 or
for more details.

 

Free one-on-one counseling and technical assistance is available to entrepreneurs and existing businesses in North Central Massachusetts through a partnership between the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce and the local chapter of SCORE mentors.  SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) is a national nonprofit association supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration that is dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals through education and mentorship. They have a network of 11,000+ volunteer business mentors who provide advice on every aspect of business planning, start-up, management and growth.

SCORE operates a satellite office at the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. SCORE mentors Bob Aspell, Ed Meyer and Ken Simms are available by appointment to meet with any prospective or existing small businesses at the Chamber office. Mr. Aspell’s main mentoring skills are Finance and Accounting, Operations, Product Development, and Supply Chain Management. Mr. Meyer’s main mentoring skills are Finance and Accounting, Operations, HR, and Sales & Marketing. Mr. Simms main mentoring skills are Marketing, Banking, Advertising and Sales.

Services available include assistance with developing business plans, marketing plans, securing financing, cash flow, and other areas critical to ensure a successful venture. Clientele includes start-up, early stage, expanding and troubled businesses. All programs of SCORE are offered to the public at no charge, on a non-discriminatory basis, and are handicapped accessible.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with a SCORE counselor, please contact the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce at (978) 353-7600 ext. 222.

The North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation (NCMDC) has recently granted a small business loan to Norma’s Corner Dog Day Care in Townsend for $20,000.  This loan enabled this small business to relocate and expand to a larger facility.

NCMDC granted a loan to Norma Foster, owner of Norma’s Corner Dog Day Care, for $20,000 to assist with relocating and the expansion of her business.  Norma had been operating her grooming and dog breeding business from her home in Pepperell, MA for over 30 years.  Recently she moved the business to a storefront in the Harbor Village Shopping Center located in Townsend, MA.  The move will enable Norma and her son and business partner, Joseph Bouchard, to expand their services to include dog day care, overnight boarding and the sale of retail dog products. This loan was made in conjunction with a loan by North Middlesex Savings Bank and will help to retain two jobs and create one new job.  For more information on Norma’s Corner Dog Day Care please visit www.normascorner.com.

“Helping strengthen small businesses and entrepreneurs stimulates job creation and is critical to North Central’s economic growth,” said Raymond J. Martino, President of Simonds International and Chairman of the Board of the NCMDC. “The North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation is providing much needed capital and technical assistance to help our local businesses grow and thrive in the region.”

The North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation is the region’s leading resource for economic development and job creation. As a microloan lender, NCMDC provides loans to small businesses up to $75,000 for working capital, equipment, inventory, expansion and working with our banking partners provide gap financing for the final piece of a project.

Over the last year, the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation has lent nearly $400,000 to 21 start-up and existing businesses, which resulted in the creation or retention of 36 jobs in North Central Massachusetts. Micro-loans over the last year were leveraged with over $1.4 million in bank capital.

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 $4.2 million in loans to small businesses to help grow jobs and the economy in 26 communities in the North Central Massachusetts region.

For more information about the NCMDC loan programs, please call 978.353.7607 or visit https://www.northcentralmass.com/lending/

 

Anthony J. Mercadante, CPA, Managing Partner of Mercadante & Mercadante PC, a certified public accounting firm has been elected Chairman of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for 2016-17. The announcement was made at the chamber’s Annual Business Meeting on June 16, 2016.

Mercadante, a CPA and a lifelong Fitchburg resident, became managing partner of Mercadante & Mercadante PC in 1986 at the age of twenty-seven, a family business that has continued to increase its customer base under his leadership. The success of the company, which focuses primarily on auditing and small business tax services, led to Mercadante being asked to join industry leaders on a variety of local and statewide boards. As a community activist, he has served as a director of Massachusetts Share Insurance Corp., HealthAlliance Home Health and Hospice, Rollstone Bank & Trust, the Montachusett Regional YMCA, and on the Board of Trustees for Fitchburg State University. In addition, he serves as Treasurer of the Oak Hill Country Club, member of the  Advisory Board of St. Anthony School and a past president and director of the Fay Club. He has also served as a longtime coach for Fitchburg Youth Soccer.

He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in economics from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Commerce & Finance in 1981 and a Masters in Taxation from Bentley College in 1985.

Mr. Mercadante has served on the Chamber’s Board of Directors for several years and has held several leadership positions including Vice Chair and Treasurer. As the Chair of the Chamber’s Board of Directors, Mr. Mercadante will work with the Board, Chamber staff, and membership to champion the Chamber in its mission to serve the region’s business community.

“As Chairman, Tony will play a significant role in advancing the Chamber’s goals and initiatives,” noted Roy Nascimento, Chamber President. “We are fortunate to have his respected leadership. We look forward to working with him to advance the interests of our members and promote North Central Massachusetts.”

He succeeds Doug Petersen, President & CEO of Workers’ Credit Union, who now moves to the position of Immediate Past Chair of the Board of Directors.

“It is an honor and privilege to have been elected Chair of the Chamber, an organization that plays an important role in the advancement of North Central Massachusetts,” expressed Mr. Mercadante, “I am excited to continue Doug Petersen’s efforts and make sure the Chamber remains a strong resource for the local business community.”

In the same election, Mark Freeman, president of Steel Fab, Inc. was voted Vice-Chairman and director Stephen Mullaney Jr., PE, president of S.J. Mullaney Engineering, Inc. was elected to the position of Treasurer.

New board members elected for a three-year term were Steve Duvarney, president of Duvarney Jewelers; Dr. Richard Lapidus, president of Fitchburg State University; Anne Leader, president of Vision Payroll; and Christopher McCarthy, president of Fidelity Bank. In addition, Lea Ann Scales, vice president of external affairs, communications, and K-12 Partnerships at Mount Wachusett Community College was elected to serve a one year term on the board.

Continuing current terms on the Board of Directors are Neil Abramson, ECI Stores; Will Aubuchon, IV, W.E. Aubuchon Company; Wayne Canty, Heat Trace Products; David Duval, Protective Services; Paul DiGeronimo, Geronimo Properties; Ken Gurge, Law Offices of Kenneth W. Gurge; Steve Rocheleau, Rocheleau Tool & Die, Inc.; Eric Shapiro, The Lexvest Group/Phoenix Park; and Deborah Weymouth, HealthAlliance Hospital.

The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the launch of a new customized market research service that will help member businesses and organizations save money by finding and reaching new prospects more effectively.   The Chamber can now help members make their existing direct-mail or telemarketing lists more efficient, analyze sales data to build a profile of their ideal customer targets, or even build a marketing list from scratch based on more than 100 data points such as  income level, geography, education,  interests, and purchasing tendencies.  This information can help local businesses in North Central Massachusetts learn more about their current customers, help them find and reach like-minded prospects, and acquire new customers.

For example, companies offering products & services for the home might benefit from knowing which families have purchased new homes or recently moved into the area.  Customized reports comparing a business’ customer profile with that of their target geographic area can provide enhanced segmentation, insight, and personalization to improve current marketing efforts.  Additional tools enable businesses to update and verify information, remove duplicates, and improve the odds of response to direct-mail offers, marketing like large companies on a small business budget.

 “We are excited to launch this new service that offers businesses greater access to potential customers.  This type of high-value market information has traditionally been out of reach for many small and mid-size businesses,”  said Roy M. Nascimento, President & CEO  “We think that access to this customized research will be a powerful tool that can give North Central Massachusetts small businesses a competitive advantage.”

Current members or businesses interested in learning more about the customized market research offered through the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce should contact Jeff Ardis, Manager of Member Services at (978) 353-7600 ext. 234 or via email at .