Alongside community and business leaders, the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce celebrated the opening of the Wachusett Commuter Rail station. Riding into the station from the Downtown Fitchburg train stop, a group of travelers applauded as the train pulled into the station after years of advocacy and measures to extend the commuter rail into West Fitchburg.

Passengers on the first train to enter the station included Mayor Stephen DiNatale, Chamber President and CEO Roy Nascimento, members of the city council, leaders from the business community, as well as transportation advocates.

“Expanding transportation opportunities is very important to the region,” said Nascimento. “This is a great resource for employers – as well as our tourist attractions.”

Currently, just two inbound and outbound trains service the Wachusett station with an expanded schedule beginning in November. The new station is a great resource for commuters, tourists and other travelers looking for an affordable and reliable transportation source. Many employers in the region have cited lackluster public transportation opportunities as an issue for filling vacant positions.

Wachusett Brewing joined in the celebration of the new train opening with their new “Fun Bus” – a van that will transport customers to and from the Wachusett train station, once it is fully operational. The train stop will also be a great way for skiers who make the trip from Boston to Wachusett Mountain.

Also on-hand to celebrate the opening was Can-Am Machinery, a Fitchburg company that has been actively engaged in expanding ‘reverse commute’ opportunities for employees who live in Boston, but work in North Central.

 

The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce will be holding an aggressive New Member Campaign on September 27 and 28, 2016.  This new member campaign will include reaching out to over 3,000 businesses in the region that are not yet benefiting from Chamber membership.  The campaign will include a mailed invitation and personal phone calls from business leaders in the region encouraging them to join the Chamber.

Doug Petersen, President & CEO of Workers’ Credit Union and Immediate Past Chair of the Chamber’s Board of Directors will chair this special campaign.  In addition, nearly 60 business leaders have volunteered to help recruit new members to the Chamber by sharing information about their positive experiences and the many benefits of Chamber membership.

“The Chamber is an important element in the fabric of the community and has a tremendous impact supporting the local business community,” said Doug Petersen, Chairman of the 2016 New Member Campaign.  “This is a great opportunity to tell our story and give the Chamber’s financial and membership efforts a solid boost.”

The Chamber provides numerous services for members, including networking and professional development, free and low cost marketing, health and dental insurance, as well as government affairs and economic development programs to encourage a positive business climate for the region.

In addition, the Chamber’s New Member Campaign will feature several “join now” incentives for businesses and organizations that enroll with the Chamber, including free advertising, web site listings, admission to Chamber networking programs and more.

Highlighting the campaign will be a two-day, three-session phone-a-thon at the Chamber’s offices on September 27 and 28.  Volunteers will be competing for bragging rights as the top recruiter and some great prizes including overnight trips, gift certificates to restaurants and stores, and much more.

The Chamber’s New Member Campaign is sponsored by Heat Trace Products.  Supporting sponsors include S.J. Mullaney Engineering, Inc.; Mercadante & Mercadante, P.C., CPAs; and HealthAlliance Hospital.  In addition, media sponsors for the Campaign include the Sentinel & Enterprise; Leominster Champion; Worcester Business Journal; WPKZ 105.3 FM, Worcester Telegram & Gazette; AdviCoach; and FATV.

Businesses interested in joining the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce should contact should contact Jeff Ardis, Manager of Member Services and Business Development at (978) 353-7600, x234 or via email at . Or download and print our Why Join Now Flyer and mail it to Jeff Ardis 860 South Street, Fitchburg, Ma 01420.

 

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/