The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that the organization has recruited 75 new members as a result of its 2016 New Member Campaign.

The two-week campaign ended on Friday, October 15th and included a mailed invitation to over 3,000 businesses in North Central Massachusetts and personal phone calls from fifty-five business leaders encouraging them to join.  Volunteers competed for bragging rights as the top recruiter and some great prizes including overnight trips, gift certificates to restaurants and stores, and much more.

“We are excited to see so many new businesses join and take advantage of the many opportunities available through the North Central Massachusetts Chamber,” said Tony Mercadante, Principal of Mercadante & Mercadante CPAs and Chair of the Chamber’s Board of Directors. “The Chamber plays an important role in supporting local businesses and advancing North Central Massachusetts. This new growth will give us an even stronger voice to impact the region.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON OUR NEW MEMBER CAMPAIGN CLICK HERE

The top producing team for the campaign was Workers Credit Union. Tom Littlepage, Assistant Vice President and Branch Manager at Workers Credit Union served as the team captain. The Workers Credit Union team recruited 13 new members and will be recognized with a special award at the Chamber’s next Good Morning North Central Breakfast on Friday, November 18th at the Doubletree in Leominster.

The second place team was the Robert C. Alario CPAs team, captained by Robert Alario, and the third place team was the Vision Payroll team, captained by Greg Mahoney.

The campaign’s top individual recruiter was Robert Alario, President of Robert C. Alario CPAs who personally brought in 11 new businesses to the Chamber. Mr. Alario was recently recognized as the top producer and received a $1,500 travel voucher through Whitcomb Travel for his efforts.  Bob Gallo of Workers Credit Union placed second with five new members and Tom Littlepage of Workers Credit Union came in third with four new members. Other top recruiters included Pam Tortora of Fidelity Bank who recruited four new members; Tony Mercadante of Mercadante and Mercadante CPAs and Greg Mahoney and Lisa McKiernan of Vision Payroll who each recruited three new members.

“I want to congratulate our top recruiter Bob Alario and express our heartfelt thanks to the many volunteers and businesses who participated in this campaign,” said Doug Petersen, President & CEO of Workers Credit Union and Chairman of the 2016 New Member Campaign. “Gaining 75 new members is a remarkable achievement and would not have been possible without the time and effort from our many campaign volunteers.”

The Chamber appreciates the efforts of Doug Petersen for serving as Chair of the 2016 New Member Campaign. The Chamber would also like to thank all of the team captains, volunteer recruiters, and the many members who helped support our successful campaign.

In addition, the Chamber would like to recognize the corporate and prize sponsors who contributed to the success of the campaign. The Chamber’s New Member Campaign was sponsored by Heat Trace Products.  Supporting sponsors included S.J. Mullaney Engineering, Inc.; Mercadante & Mercadante, P.C., CPAs; and HealthAlliance Hospital.  In addition, media sponsors for the Campaign included the Sentinel & Enterprise; Leominster Champion; Worcester Business Journal; WPKZ 105.3 FM, Worcester Telegram & Gazette; AdviCoach; and FATV.

Prize contributors included Aunty Ellen’s Cakes, the Bootlegger Restaurant, the Colonial Hotel, Cutiques, Curves Fitness, ECI Stores, the Fitchburg Art Museum, Gardner Ale House, Il Camino Restaurant, Gariepy Furniture, Great Wolf Lodge, Happy Jack’s Restaurant, North End Diner, Northeast Promotions, Putnam Street Lanes, Roots organic juice bar, Sean Patrick’s restaurant, Settler’s Crossing golf course, Shattuck Photography, Slattery’s restaurant, Starbucks, South Side Grill, Wachusett Mountain, Webster First Federal Credit Union, West End Diner, Workers Credit Union, and Yasmin Loft, realtor.

For a complete list of corporate sponsors and prize contributors please visit www.northcentralmass.com.

Businesses interested in joining the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce should contact Jeff Ardis, Manager of Member Services and Business Development at 978.353.7600, x234 or via email at .

In what has come to be an unprecedented political and social time in our world, thinking about how members of the community can create change could not have come at a better time. In a panel discussion, local leaders, joined by members of the community discussed strategies for making the most out of community engagement.

The panel discussion, moderated by Lea Ann Scales of Mount Wachusett Community College, featured State Representative Jen Benson, Fitchburg City Councilor Mike Kushmerek, Joana Dos Santos of the United Neighbors of Fitchburg and Charlie St. Amand of the Sentinel and Enterprise.

The discussion focused around the importance of being an active and involved member of your community, whether you are advocating for an issue, or thinking about running for office. Both the audience and panelists noted the need to get more youth involved in civic engagement.

“Technology has changed the way I interact with my constituents, and it has made me more accountable to them,” said Benson. St. Amand, editor of the Sentinel and Enterprise noted that the advent of technology has increased everyone’s ability to participate in government and the media.

As part of the Chamber’s public policy agenda, it will continue to create programming that builds consensus on community building, inclusion in the public process, and creating meaningful bonds between government and the business community.

The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce and the Johnny Appleseed Trail Association are pleased to announce the launch of the Gift Local Gift Card program.  This economic development initiative was established to focus on engaging local businesses in the growing gift card market and encouraging residents to shop locally.  Similar programs launched by other chambers of commerce and merchants groups throughout the country have been successful in bringing in significant new dollars and generating increased sales at participating merchants.

Gift Local cards are available for sale to the public in any amount and are used like cash exclusively at participating businesses in North Central Massachusetts.  The card is the perfect gift for the upcoming holidays, or for birthdays, employee recognition programs, teacher appreciation gifts, graduations, or just to say thank you.  Gift card recipients can redeem their cards at nearly 40 local establishments, including many of the finest restaurants, retail stores, salons, service providers, and more in North Central Massachusetts.  The cards may be reloaded for convenience and used throughout the year.

“This is a great resource for small businesses throughout North Central, we’re thrilled to be part of a program that can help grow our business and support the local economy,” said Rick Walton, owner of the Gardner Ale House.

“Signing up to participate in the Gift Local Gift Card program was a no-brainer for us,” said Steven Duvarney, owner of Duvarney & Company Jewelers in Clinton and Fitchburg “We’re excited to participate and think it’s a great opportunity to engage new customers as well as support the local economy.”

Participating merchants will be featured in the Gift Local’s marketing program and on the website www.giftlocalmass.com.  Gift cards are also the gift of choice among many employers looking for gifts for their employees and clients. The Chamber will also be introducing a bulk Gift Local Gift Card purchasing program that helps local businesses better reward and incentivize their employees.

The typical profile for a Gift Local Card buyer would be someone who is looking to support local businesses, but may not know the recipient’s taste in food, fashion or merchandise and wants to give the recipient the gift of choice among various options throughout the community.  Gift cards overall have also been growing in popularity as gifts with over $138 billion spent annually on them in the United States.  Research shows that 93% of U.S. Shoppers receive or buy a gift card every year and gift card users tend to spend 25% more at locations when using a gift card in comparison with shopping with cash or a regular credit/debit card.

“Currently there is nothing like the Gift Local Gift Card in North Central Massachusetts. It’s an exciting opportunity for local businesses to grow their customer base as well as broaden their appeal,” said Roy Nascimento, President and CEO of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce.  “This program is a perfect way to support small businesses while still giving people the flexibility to shop around as they please.”

Gift Local Cards can be purchased at the Chamber office located at 860 South Street in Fitchburg), Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; the Johnny Appleseed Visitors’ Center located on Route 2 West in Lancaster, Monday to Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; and online at www.giftlocalmass.com.

For more information or to enroll in this exciting new program, please contact Lauren Goulet at 978.353.7600 ext. 222 or at .

Nypro, a Jabil Company hosted approximately 20 young men and women from the Boys & Girls Club of Fitchburg and Leominster and the Spanish American Center on Wednesday, October 12, 2016.

The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce and its economic development affiliate the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation organized this tour in partnership with Mr. Jon Blodgett, Teen Director of the Boys & Girls Club, as well as Mr. Bill Muldoon and Mr. Tim Brown, both of Nypro, a Jabil Company.  The tour was part of efforts to celebrate Manufacturing Month and inspire young people to consider careers in advanced manufacturing.

The Nypro team kicked off the day’s events at their facility in Clinton, with an informative presentation followed by a tour. The young men and women from both the Spanish American Center and the Boys & Girls Club were privy to a wealth of knowledge and hands-on demonstrations. Rounding out the tour, members participated in a Q&A with the team and learned about 3D design and the advanced manufacturing processes used in the industry.

“Manufacturing is alive and well in North Central Massachusetts,” said Roy Nascimento, President and CEO of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, “Advanced manufacturing accounts for one in four jobs in the region and these are some of the most well-paid, highly trained and in demand jobs in the workforce, working on some of the most advanced equipment and technology.”

However, many manufacturers have been challenged recruiting the workers they need.  Despite the high wage potential and increasing employer demand, there is both a need for more young workers and a skills gap among an existing and a transitioning workforce.

The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce and the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation remain committed to supporting and growing this critical sector of the region’s economy.  From our collaborations with local schools and colleges, internship and career exploration programs and our HYPE program, the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce and the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation, are engaging and connecting businesses to the next generation of talent—to ensure a consistent and continual pipeline of talent.