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Spring/Summer 2020 Guide To North Central Massachusetts Cover Reveal
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2020 Legislative Briefing
On January 10th, the Chamber hosted a legislative briefing with the region’s state house delegation to discuss our budget and policy priorities for the coming year. The presentation touched on economic development priorities, including tourism, manufacturing, education, workforce development and transportation infrastructure.
Thank you to the North Central Massachusetts Delegation for helping secure a $100,000 grant in the FY19 budget to help our efforts to develop a comprehensive economic development plan for the region. Special thanks to Senator Dean Tran for sponsoring the item in the budget.
CÁMARA PUBLICA ESTUDIO SOBRE EL PERFIL ECONÓMICO DEL NORTE CENTRAL DE MASSACHUSETTS
A new report released today by the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce provides an in-depth look at the twenty-seven communities that comprise North Central Massachusetts. The Regional Economic Profile was compiled by a research team at the University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute and combines detailed economic, labor market and socioeconomic data, as well as analysis on the economic conditions within the region. The Chamber commissioned the Economic Profile report to support economic development efforts and serve as a resource for local businesses to make evidence based decisions.
“Our top priority is to advance the economy of North Central Massachusetts,” said Roy Nascimento, President & CEO of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce and the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation. “This research validates what we already know – that North Central Massachusetts is a great place to live, work, visit and grow a business. We envision using the report to showcase the region, answer queries and support ongoing economic development efforts.”
“We are very excited to have worked with the Chamber on this report, and accompanying online data tool, highlighting the competitive advantages and issues facing North Central Massachusetts. It provides extensive benchmarking indicators comparing the region to other places around the state” said Mark Melnik, Director of Economic and Public Policy Research at the UMass Donahue Institute. “We hope this report will be a useful resource to help support economic development in the region and can serve as a model for other regions around the state.”
Some key highlights of the Economic Profile research include:
- Proximity to Boston, Worcester and Southern New Hampshire benefits North Central businesses in terms of labor and market access. Commercial leasing rates that are a fraction of Boston’s and significantly lower than those found in the MetroWest area also boost the appeal of North Central Massachusetts.
- The availability of large parcels of land with high capacity infrastructure in combination with proximity to highways, rail lines and airports also constitutes an advantage for the region. Large parcels with access to both transportation and infrastructure are becoming increasingly scarce and expensive in and around the fast-growing Boston-Cambridge area.
- North Central Massachusetts has a diverse economy with notable strengths in healthcare and manufacturing (led by plastics products, pharmaceuticals, and electronics). Manufacturing is nearly twice as concentrated in North Central Massachusetts compared to national averages. Since 2010, most major sectors in the region have seen job growth.
- Agriculture and food and beverage manufacturing have seen growth in North Central Massachusetts and now employ about 3,500 people. Agriculture is more concentrated in the region than the national average.
- Thirty-two percent of the residents in North Central Massachusetts have a bachelor’s degree or higher and fully 61 percent of adults have some level of college or higher, indicating that the region possesses a varied and skilled workforce.
- On standardized tests, students in North Central Massachusetts score higher than the state in science and English. SAT scores are on par or slightly higher than the state while the region’s dropout rate is lower.
- Quality homes in good school districts are a draw for North Central Massachusetts. The average home values in affluent towns like Groton, Harvard, and Princeton are well below those in comparable MetroWest towns like Natick and Sudbury.
A full copy of the Economic Profile study can be found here.
The Economic and Public Policy Research (EPPR) group at the UMass Donahue Institute is a leading provider of applied research, helping clients make more informed decisions about strategic economic and public policy issues. EPPR produces in-depth economic impact and industry studies that help clients build credibility, gain visibility, educate constituents, plan economic development initiatives, and prioritize investments. For more information on the group, please visit www.donahue.umassp.edu/EPPR.
This research is part of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber’s continuing efforts to help promote the region and advance the economy of North Central Massachusetts. For more information on the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce and its affiliate organizations, please visit NorthCentralMass.com or contact the Chamber at 978.353.7600.
Becas disponibles a través de la Fundación de la Cámara de Comercio del Norte de Massachusetts
Los estudiantes interesados en solicitar una beca para 2020 a través de la Fundación de la Cámara de Comercio del Norte Central de Massachusetts deben contactar a su departamento de orientación vocacional de la escuela secundaria para presentar una solicitud. La fecha límite para las solicitudes es el viernes 28 de febrero de 2020. Cada año, cada escuela en el área de servicio de la Cámara presenta un número limitado de solicitantes de becas, los cuales luego son revisados por un comité de miembros de la Cámara.
Muchos de estos premios son posibles gracias a las contribuciones de los miembros de la Cámara de Comercio del Norte Central de Massachusetts. Las becas financiadas a través de la Fundación de la Cámara a menudo se nombran en honor a miembros prominentes de la comunidad empresarial del Norte Central de Massachusetts, cuya filantropía y compromiso con la comunidad han ayudado a dar forma al Norte Central de Massachusetts.
La Fundación de la Cámara es una organización sin fines de lucro 501 (c) 3 enfocada en ayudar a mejorar la región a través de actividades de caridad. Los fondos recaudados por la Fundación se utilizan principalmente para iniciativas de desarrollo educativo/laboral y actividades benéficas en el centro-norte de Massachusetts, incluyendo becas para solicitantes elegibles que cursan estudios y subvenciones para apoyar proyectos de desarrollo económico y comunitario.
Para más información sobre el programa de becas de la North Central Massachusetts Chamber Foundation o una lista de becas con nombre, visite northcentralmass.com o llame al 978.353.7600 ext. 222.
Advertising Opportunities in the 2020 Manufacturers Directory
This publication is the region’s most comprehensive collection of this specialized information, outlining available industrial sites and local manufacturing related businesses, describing products, contact information and more. The directory is designed to promote and connect manufacturers with suppliers as well as serve as a resource for companies looking to relocate or expand throughout the region. Ad rates start at just $350. Please email Yasmin Loft at for more information or to reserve your advertisement.
NEADS Works to Prevent Service Dog Fraud in MA through Support of House Bill 3657
Fake and poorly trained “service dogs” – you’ve probably seen them in airports and grocery stores, on public transportation, in restaurants and hotels – can interfere with the life-saving work that legitimate Service Dogs perform for their human partners.
NEADS is committed to doing everything it can to help our working Service Dog teams navigate the world without worry. That means educating the public about what it takes to create a legitimate Service Dog and advocating to stop this epidemic of Service Dog fraud.
Here in Massachusetts, we’re doing our part through our support of H3657, An Act relative to the misrepresentation of a service animal, filed by Representative Kimberly Ferguson. We are currently requesting signatures for a petition in support of this bill.
We believe H3657 is important because it will discourage pet owners from identifying their dogs as service dogs in order to obtain special status by presenting the dog as a Service Dog or Service Dog in Training, thus allowing them to obtain the rights and privileges afforded disabled persons accompanied by Service Dogs, but unavailable to people and their pets. Plus, businesses will be better prepared to protect the public and legitimate Service Dog teams from aggressive, untrained, poorly trained and/or unsound pet dogs. Removing untrained dogs from public venues will help restore the credibility and safety of highly trained Service Dogs and their disabled partners.
If you have questions about the issue and/or the House Bill, please contact us for an interview or additional information.
CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS BREWERIES TO COLLABORATE AGAIN ON TRIBUTE BEER IN HONOR OF FALLEN WORCESTER FIREFIGHTE
Wachusett, Wormtown, and Greater Good Get Together to Raise Money for Menard Children’s Fun
Three of Central Massachusetts most well-known brewers are coming together for a very worthy cause. In response to yet another tragic death of a Worcester Firefighter, the three breweries are brewing and launching the beer “Worcester’s Bravest” with 100% of the proceeds being donated to the Menard Children’s Fund. The fund that has been set up by the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts and Worcester International Association of Firefighters Local 1009 in support of the family of fallen Worcester Firefighter Lt. Jason Menard.
“We were beyond devasted to hear about the loss of Lt. Jason Menard” said David Fields, Managing Partner of Wormtown Brewery. “While it pales in comparison to the sacrifice our local heroes make every day, Worcester’s Bravest is a way we can give back to them and their families. We are honored to be a part of a strong community that will forever cherish his legacy. ”
“We said the last time we made this beer together that hopefully we would never have to do it again” said Christian McMahan, President of Wachusett Brewing Company. “However, when we have the ability to make a difference and support something so meaningful, we will do it each and every time.”
“We’re a tightly bound community” added Paul Wengender, Founder & President of Greater Good. “The strength of our community was tested, yet again. If one of our own goes down we will always rally together in vigorous support”
The beer style for Worcester’s Bravest is a Belgian Wit, a light-bodied, unfiltered, wheat beer. “It has sweet and zesty citrus notes with some complex pepper spice and herbal hops” said Ben Roesch, Brewmaster of Wormtown Brewery”.
“Worcester’s Bravest” will be released on draft in January at each brewery’s tap rooms as well as having a limited amount of cans being made available for sale. Beer launch and fundraising events will take place at each brewery. Wormtown will host their event on Friday January 24th, Wachusett on Saturday, January 25th, and Greater Good on Friday January 31st.
Donations can also be made directly to the Menard Children’s Fund and mailed to the Worcester Fire Department Credit Union, 34 Glennie St, Worcester, MA 01605
For more information about Wachusett Brewing Company, visit www.wachusettbrew.com
Rooney Promoted to Senior VP of Community Engagement & Marketing – LCU
“Kelli is a great fit for this role,” said LCU President John O’Brien. “She has done a great job leading our marketing efforts and is very involved in the communities we serve. She is well known and respected and is always an advocate for our members and communities. Partnering our marketing and community involvement efforts will be a win-win for LCU and our member communities.”
Rooney serves as a board member for the Leominster Education Foundation, the Monty Tech Foundation, and the Beacon of Hope Community Services, an organization that is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of individuals with developmental disabilities. She also serves on the Young Professionals of North Central Massachusetts Committee and the Cooperative Credit Union Association’s Social Responsibility Committee. She is a North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce Ambassador and a member of the Montachusett Area Rotary Club. Rooney holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication from Framingham State University and a Master of Science Degree in Applied Communication Studies from Fitchburg State University. Rooney resides in Leominster with her husband Chuck and their daughter Raegan.
Workers Credit Union Greater Gardner Relay For Life Team Ranks #1 Among 102 Relay Fundraising Teams
American Cancer Society Event Raises Funds, Awareness
Greater Gardner Relay For Life was held June 7 at Mount Wachusett Community College. The 24-hour walk is dedicated to funding cancer research and is one of the largest relay events in the country. The Workers Team comprised 44 employees and their family members, several of which are cancer survivors. Fundraising for the teams concluded August 21.
Since 2005, Workers Credit Union has sponsored the event and its Team have raised more than a combined $307,000. Workers Credit Union provided a donation of $10,000 to start this year’s fundraising. Workers Credit Union employees Rosa River and Jaclyn Hayes co-chaired the Workers Credit Union Relay team.
“We are so humbled by the support from our employees, members and Relay team,” said Rivera, a Senior Mortgage Originator at Workers. “This is a cause that is so special to our entire team – cancer has touched the lives of many of us and we work tirelessly each year on this fundraiser. We especially want to thank our members for coming out to events like our Dining for a Cause. We couldn’t have raised so much without their support.”
Relay For Life is the signature fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. Relay is staffed and coordinated by volunteers in thousands of communities and 27 countries. Volunteers give their time and effort because they believe it’s time to take action against cancer. Relay is a team fundraising event where team members take turns walking around a track or designated path. Each team is asked to have a member on the track at all times to signify that cancer never sleeps. Cancer patients don’t stop because they’re tired, and for one night, neither do the Relay teams. Workers Credit Union, headquartered in Fitchburg, MA, is a member-owned financial institution with full banking services to meet a lifetime of financial needs including the $3 million GiveBack program. With 15 branches in Athol, Chelmsford, Fitchburg, Gardner, Groton, Lancaster, Leominster, Lunenburg, Orange, Townsend and Westford, Workers is proud to offer traditional banking channels as well as the latest technologies to more than 104,000 members.
Fitchburg Moves to Single Tax Rate; Clinton Narrows Split
In a momentous week, the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce was on hand to testify before elected officials in Clinton and Fitchburg this week as the two communities reviewed their tax shifts for the year. In a major win for local business, Fitchburg councilors elected to move to a single rate, eliminating what remained of a six point shift! A night later, Clinton’s selectmen voted unanimously to move to a 1.52 tax shift, narrowing their split by two points and committing to moving towards a single rate over time.
Massachusetts allows two models for property taxes: single and dual rates. The single rate means that both residential and commercial/industrial properties are taxed at the same level. Meanwhile, a dual rate system dictates that commercial and industrial property taxpayers shoulder more of the burden and pays a higher share of taxes based on a property’s assessed value. A dual tax system increases costs for businesses, disincentivizes business investment and puts a community at a competitive disadvantage compared with neighboring communities that maintain a single rate.
“Your decision to gradually move towards a single tax rate is the right decision long term for the City” stated Roy Nascimento, President & CEO of the Chamber during the Fitchburg’s City Council tax hearing. “Making the commercial tax burden more competitive will position Fitchburg to attract new business investment, retain existing businesses, increase tax revenues and change outdated perceptions that the City is unfriendly to business.”
Tax shifts became a common tool to alleviate the tax burden on residents- at the expense of businesses- in the 1980s. Since then, many communities have come to recognize that imposing a split tax rate places them at a competitive disadvantage, incentivizing businesses to locate in other communities with more equitable tax policies. For that reason, only a handful of communities within the region still maintain a tax split. In smaller communities, where a greater share of real estate is zoned as residential, a tax shift is particularly frustrating as the share of the levy is transferred over to a smaller collection of stakeholders. As such, a 1.50 shift can sometimes increase a commercial ratepayers bill by as much as double in absolute terms.
This week’s votes are significant as the tax shift is perhaps the most immediate and direct manner in which municipal officials can impact businesses within their communities. “We recognize that tax rates are only one factor in an economy – energy costs, workforce, health care costs, and many other things also play a role”, Nascimento stated while speaking before Clinton’s Selectmen. “But there is nothing you can do about health care costs, energy costs, and so on. Adopting a more competitive tax rate and working towards a single rate is something that you can do something about.”
The Chamber applauds the actions of the Fitchburg City Council and the Clinton Board of Selectmen. The adoption of the single tax rate passed by an 8-2 margin at the Tuesday, December 3, 2019 Fitchburg City Council meeting with Councilors Marcus DiNatale; E. Thomas Donnelly; Marisa Fleming; Amy Green; Joel
R. Kaddy; Michael Kushmerek; Elizabeth Walsh; and Anthony Zarrella voting in favor and Councilors Samantha Squailia and Paul Beauchemin voting against. The reduction in the property tax shift from 154% to 152% passed unanimously at the Wednesday, December 4, 2019 Board of Selectmen meeting with select board members William F. Connolly, Jr.; Sean J. Kerrigan; Edward J. Devault; Michael J. Dziokonski; and John J. Boisoneau all voting to adopt the reduction.
Chamber Convenes Education Compact
The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce recently convened a meeting of the inaugural North Central Massachusetts Education Compact. The Education Compact is an outgrowth of the Chamber’s report published earlier in the year called Build North Central: Promoting the Industrial Heart of Massachusetts. Among the recommendations in the report was strengthening the relationship between employers and schools throughout the region through a group of this nature that could serve as an ongoing channel of communication between stakeholders. This high-level leadership group is intended to help facilitate partnerships around the shared goals of improving college and career pathways for students. The group is comprised of leaders in education, business and workforce development.
“We are excited to convene this group of decision makers from throughout North Central Massachusetts to continue the conversation about how we can work together to shape the educational experience for students and ultimately better prepare them for college and careers,” said Roy M. Nascimento, President & CEO of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. “Through the Education Compact we are unified under a collective commitment to action and leadership!”
During the meeting, Chamber President Roy Nascimento presented data on the region, economic trends and the current and future workforce challenges faced by employers and school leaders. The group also examined several successful initiatives that were developed from similar collaborative models in other parts of the country. The Education Compact plans to meet periodically to continue the dialogue and action needed to advance schools in the region.
“In many ways, our schools are the best in the country- the world”, stated Steve Rocheleau, owner and operator of Rocheleau Tool and Die. “Conversations between educators and business are vital to be sure we close any gaps between curriculum and needs of business so together we can help our region develop opportunities for our youth to succeed here in North Central Massachusetts and provide a strong workforce for global competitiveness.”
Convening the Education Compact is part of the Chamber’s continuing efforts to advance the economy of North Central Massachusetts. The Chamber has long been a champion of education and has been actively engaged in supporting schools and students. The Chamber recognizes that the quality and accessibility of our educational institutions is critical to the health and prosperity of the state and regional economy. For more information on the North Central Massachusetts Education Compact or to inquire about joining the group, please contact the Chamber at 978.353.7600.