The Johnny Appleseed Trail Association, the tourism arm of the chamber, participated in the New England Society of Association Executives, NESAE, 2018 Annual Management Conference where we had a table promoting our meeting venues to association executives from all over New England. In attendance were over 100 association executives and destinations looking to do business. Members who were promoting North Central Massachusetts alongside us were Great Wolf Lodge New England and the Devens Common Center.
This is an example of the many ongoing efforts of JATA to promote the region to visitors and groups in key markets. Ultimately these efforts help generate additional visitors and additional dollars to the communities in our region. In 2016, our collective regional tourism marketing strategy resulted in $131 million economic impact for North Central Massachusetts.
The Chamber bids a fond farewell to Public Affairs Manager, Patrick Lawlor, who recently left to pursue a new opportunity as management analyst for the Town of Andover. Lawlor finished his master’s degree in public administration from UMass Boston during his tenure with the Chamber.
“We are saddened to lose Patrick, but also excited for him to pursue his career further,” said Roy M. Nascimento, President & CEO of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. “Patrick has been an important and dedicated member of our team and a contributor to our success. I want to thank him for his hard work and commitment to the Chamber and wish him well in his new position.”
Leominster Credit Union will hold a Shred-A-Thon at its 910 West Boylston Street, Worcester, MA location on Saturday, May 20, 2017 from 9:00AM – Noon.
Members and non-members can get rid of old, sensitive documents by shredding and recycling them at the Shred-A-Thon. All items will be shred on site by a secure shredding service, New England Security Shredders.
Members of the community can bring up to three legal size file boxes or three 13-gallon kitchen trash bags to be shred for free. However we will be accepting donations to Habitat for Humanity during the event. The Shred-A-Thon helps raise awareness about recycling and of course the importance of shredding personal documents to protect against identity theft.
Los documentos importantes para llevar al Shred-A-Thon incluyen estados de cuenta bancarios, declaraciones de impuestos, facturas médicas, estados de cuenta de tarjetas de crédito y otros documentos personales.
For more information contact Joanne Lattanzi, Marketing Manager 978-466-7240 or
Fundada en 1954, Leominster Credit Union (LCU) es una cooperativa financiera sin fines de lucro, propiedad de sus socios, que ofrece una gama completa de servicios de depósito, crédito y otros servicios financieros. Con sede en Leominster, Massachusetts, LCU se enorgullece de contar con casi 50 000 socios y más de $600 millones en activos. LCU cuenta con siete sucursales en Leominster, Worcester (2), Clinton, Holden, Sterling y North Leominster, con servicios de cajero automático en todas ellas. LCU también ofrece servicios bancarios las 24 horas a través de sus aplicaciones móviles y en línea. Visite leominstercu.com o llame al 800-649-4646.
On behalf of Governor Charlie Baker and Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito, Housing & Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash invites you to attend a small business listening session in your region. The Session in North Central Mass will be with Secretary Jay Ash on Thursday, May 25, 2017 at 7:30 a.m. at Mount Wachusett Community College. Más información
The Annual Meeting and Business Luncheon for the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce is scheduled for Thursday, June 15, 2017 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Great Wolf Lodge, 150 Great Wolf Drive, Fitchburg. Join other business and community leaders and attend the annual meeting to celebrate business people working together for the future of North Central Massachusetts. The program will include recognition awards and the commencement for the 2017 class of the Chamber’s Community Leadership Institute. Workers’ Credit Union is the premier sponsor of the 2017 Annual Business Meeting. Supporting sponsors include Apex Properties, Avidia Bank, Enterprise Bank, Fitchburg State University, Medical Arts Hearing Instruments, Mount Wachusett Community College and TD Bank.
This year’s keynote speaker is Governor Charlie Baker. Governor Charlie Baker was inaugurated as the 72nd Governor of Massachusetts on January 8, 2015. Since taking office, he has been making Massachusetts a great place to live, work and raise a family while delivering a customer-service oriented state government that is as hard working as the people of the Commonwealth. Governor Baker is now considered the most popular governor in the United States according to approval ratings.
Upon taking office, Governor Baker worked to close two budget gaps worth more than $2 billion without raising taxes, while bolstering local aid for our schools and communities, investing in a more reliable public transportation system and prioritizing funds to fight the opioid and heroin epidemic. Governor Baker has supported robust business sectors by reforming the Commonwealth’s regulatory environment, holding the line on taxes, and advancing efforts to rein in energy costs.
To register for the Annual Business Meeting and Luncheon, please contact the Chamber at 978.353.7600 ext. 222 or ext. 235 or email or register online at www.northcentralmass.com/calendar. The cost is just $40 per person for members and $60 per person for non-members. Supporting sponsorships and tables of ten are also available. Please RSVP by June 8th.
Workers Credit Union Acquires Braley Wellington Insurance Group
Acquisition signals continued commitment to financial success of members
In a move designed to further enhance its role as a trusted financial advisor, Workers Credit Union announced today its acquisition and partnership with one of Central Massachusetts’ leading retail insurance agencies, the Braley Wellington Group.
“At Workers Credit Union it is our mission to improve the daily lives of our members. After an extensive search, we could not be more pleased to have found Braley Wellington, a highly reputable firm with the expertise, cultural compatibility and a shared commitment to helping our members achieve long term financial success and security,” said Doug Petersen, Workers Credit Union President and CEO.
Commenting on the acquisition, Robert Lockett, President of Workers Financial Services. LLC. said, “Over 91,000 local residents already trust Workers with the core of their financial life – savings, investing, home mortgages, car loans and other personal credit. Adding direct insurance activities will significantly enhance our ability to provide comprehensive financial solutions to our existing membership and be a powerful tool to attract new members. I look forward to welcoming the talented team from Braley Wellington into our organization.”
With assets of more than $1.5 billion, Workers Credit Union, founded in 1914, serves members from across Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire. A leading credit union in Massachusetts, Workers has 16 branches from Orange to Acton. Workers Financial Services is a credit union service organization with the mission of delivering services that compliment traditional credit union products.
The Braley Wellington Group is a full service insurance agency offering assistance with the insurance needs of Massachusetts residents for over 200 years. Representing over 30 reputable carriers, the agency provides a complete range of commercial and personal insurance products as well as a full time claims department, all under one umbrella. The agency operates out of four locations in Worcester, Auburn, Millbury and Leominster.
Parker Wellington, President and CEO of Braley & Wellington Insurance Agency, explains, “Our goal has always been to give our customers the peace of mind that comes with knowing someone is looking out for them. We could not be more pleased to become part of Workers Credit Union, which shares in this belief and will allow us to expand our ability to fulfill our mission.”
Both institutions will be working together over the next few months on integration activities while developing a number of delivery strategies directed toward the Credit Union’s members and the broader community. Commercial lines agents will continue to represent a blend of business types throughout Central Massachusetts, while personal lines agents will be augmented with support and referrals generated from the Workers branch and digital network. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
About Workers:
Workers Credit Union is high performing financial institution owned by its members, with 280 employees and 16 branches throughout north central and eastern Massachusetts. In 2017 Workers gave its members $3.3 Million as part of its annual GiveBack program which rewards members based on their utilization of credit union products and services. Workers is passionate about community, making financial contributions in the communities it serves and facilitating volunteerism among its staff.
Workers Financial Services is a Credit Union Service Organization (CUSO) dedicated to providing trusted products and services to help people achieve financial security. One of the fastest growing CUSO’s in the country, Workers Financial Services is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Workers Credit Union.
The Johnny Appleseed Trail Association, the tourism arm of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, and the City of Fitchburg are pleased to announce that Fitchburg and North Central Massachusetts have been selected by the Drone Racing League (DRL) as the official New England site of one of its six 2017 Allianz World Championship races that culminate in a winner-take-all World Championship event.
“It’s very exciting that Fitchburg was selected by DRL to host their 2017 drone racing series”, said Mayor Stephen DiNatale. “This selection is testament to the strong partnerships that we have in place here in North Central Massachusetts and our region’s strengths in the robotics and video gaming industries.”
“Securing the DRL race is significant for North Central Massachusetts,” said Roy Nascimento, President & CEO of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce and the Johnny Appleseed Trail Association. “Not only will the region benefit from the direct economic impact of hosting the race, but this will also showcase North Central Massachusetts to national and global audiences as a great place to host or grow a business.”
DRL discovered the Fitchburg site after meeting with the Johnny Appleseed Trail Association at a national trade show for sporting events. North Central Massachusetts is an emerging sports tourism location, so strategic investments have been made to attract events and exhibitions in this region. DRL and the Johnny Appleseed Trail Association worked closely with the site selection team to find the right space for their New England race.
“We looked around aggressively for a community to host our New England race site,” said Ashley Ellefson, Director Operations for DRL. “Fitchburg was the ideal location and the Johnny Appleseed Trail Association, the North Central Massachusetts Chamber and the City of Fitchburg were all amazing in support of our efforts.”
The Championship series will include six races to test piloting skill and the limits of FPV (First Person View) flight. The races will begin airing on premier broadcast channels, including ESPN, ESPN 2, Sky Sports Mix and 7Sports in more than 75 countries, in June 2017. Each DRL race features 16 of the world’s greatest drone pilots flying DRL’s custom designed racing drone at speeds above 90 MPH through one-of-a-kind, three-dimensional racecourses in venues around the world. The Championship races are an elimination style competition that culminates in a world championship and the crowning of the World’s Greatest Drone Pilot.
Given its rapidly growing worldwide audience, the biggest benefit of securing the DRL race will be the national and global exposure for Fitchburg and the region. DRL’s first season reached millions of fans around the world, including more than 30 million broadcast viewers and more than 43 million views of its digital content. The region will also benefit from the hotel rooms booked for staff and media, and the new direct spending in the region by the visitors associated with DRL. Since drone racing also incorporates robotics and gaming, there are also possible educational opportunities for local students involved at the gaming program at Fitchburg State University and at Mount Wachusett Community College.
The Drone Racing League (DRL) launched in January 2016 as the only global professional drone racing organization, hosting five professional races in its inaugural season. Founded in 2015 by Nicholas Horbaczewski, a former executive with the Tough Mudder race series, DRL has quickly gained the reputation as the new “sport of the future” with its rapidly growing worldwide audience. The technology company is financially backed by investors including RSE Ventures, Lux Capital, Sky, MGM, Hearst Ventures, and CAA Ventures. DRL has also secured sponsorships from major national brands including Bud Light and leading global insurance brand, Allianz.
DRL joins a growing list of companies that have recently selected North Central Massachusetts, including Great Wolf Lodge that selected Fitchburg for its New England location; AIS that recently moved its operation to Leominster; Nypro that chose Devens for the expansion of its medical device manufacturing operations; and most recently the developers of Game On Fitchburg that selected West Fitchburg as the site of their major indoor sports complex scheduled to open in 2018. North Central Massachusetts also recently received national recognition for its efforts by industry professionals who plan sporting events.
“Great Masters of Song” Program at Fitchburg Public Library
The Fitchburg Public Library, 610 Main Street, will present an evening of song on Thursday, May 18, at 6:30 p.m. Skylarkz, a duo consisting of Sarah Clay, vocalist, and Nick Kachulis, piano, will present “Great American Masters of Song,” featuring selections from Gershwin, Duke Ellington, Cole Porter, Rodgers and Hart, and more of the masters of American Popular Song. Between songs, they will treat the audience with tales of the composers, the era they lived in, and the history behind the music. Skylarkz is well known throughout New England for their delightful concerts.
This free program is made possible by a grant from the Fitchburg Cultural Council, which is a part of the Massachusetts Cultural Council. For more information about this and other Library programs, call 978-829-1783
Learn what to do NOW to better your chances of survival if you are caught in an active shooter event; before its too late and you are in the middle of that horrific event.
WHEN: Wednesday, April 26, 2017
WHERE: Hampton Inn & Suites
65 Prescott St,
Worcester, Massachusetts 01605
WHEN: Thursday, April 27, 2017
WHERE: DoubleTree by Hilton
99 Erdman Way
Leominster, MA 01453
TIME: 6:15pm – 9:00pm
COST: $49.99
Call A+ Firearms Training of MA now at 508-864-7473 to register for either of these classes. REGISTRATION DEADLINE for Leominster class is this Sunday, April 23rd at 6pm, and Worcester class is Monday, April 24th at 6pm.
Remember, we recently had an active shooter event at the South Shore Mall in Braintree, MA. They can happen anytime and anywhere.
For more details go to my Website at APlusHandguns.com and look under Active Shooter — Civilian Response.
Businesses, Consumers Differ on Economic Outlook Under President Donald Trump
Annual Economic Outlook Survey Results Released
On April 12th, over 250 guests joined the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce and Fidelity Bank at the DoubleTree in Leominster to get an idea of what the future holds for the economy under the current administration. This is the 6th year that the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce and Fidelity Bank have partnered on this event. This year additional support came from the Nashoba Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Gardner Chamber of Commerce.
Dr. J.D. Foster, Vice President, Economic Policy Division and Chief Economist of the US Chamber of Commerce, provided keynote remarks with his presentation: What a Trump Economy Means for Us. Jeff Fuhrer, Executive Vice President and Senior Policy Advisor at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston also spoke at the Economic Forecast Breakfast, presenting on the state of the economy and its outlook specifically for Massachusetts.
The breakfast sponsor, Fidelity Bank, presented on two economic outlook surveys they conducted of local business leaders and consumers from across North Central Massachusetts. “Getting the insights of these top economists, as well as our local consumer and business population, provides real value to the decision makers in our region,” said Ed Manzi Jr., chairman and CEO of Fidelity Bank. “In support of our LifeDesign promise, we’ve sponsored this event for the past six years, and once again it’s very gratifying to have partnered with three local chambers to support the business community in Central Massachusetts.”
“The surveys and presentations by our speakers is really a great way for our region to get a better understanding about what direction our economy is heading,” said Roy Nascimento, President and CEO of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. “The presentations, combined with the surveys allow for a comprehensive view into conditions that could impact both consumers and businesses”
The economic outlook survey for both consumers and business leaders pointed to the political climate playing a significant role in the economy, but the two groups differed on President Donald Trump’s impact on the economy. On President Trump’s impact on the economy, 53% of consumers felt it would be negative, while 58% of business leaders feel that the president will have a positive impact on the economy.
Consumers overall did not have overwhelmingly positive feelings about a rising economy, with 76% of respondents indicating that the economy would be the same or only somewhat better a year from now.
Although the survey revealed that consumers believe that the high cost of living will be a threat to economic growth, only 22% of consumers believe that in 2017 they will be spending less money, while 44% believe they will not make any change to their spending habits.
The availability of skilled labor in the region was a major concern for business leaders. Workforce issues were the top challenge that businesses expect to face in the next two years, and was high among the greatest threats to economic growth for respondents.
“You can see from the survey that consumers have leveled off on Trump’s impact to the economy,” said Chris McCarthy, President and COO of Fidelity Bank. “In comparison business leaders have a more positive outlook on the upcoming year.”
Half of business leaders surveyed did indicate they would be increasing capital investments in their business in the next year. Investment priorities for business in 2017 include equipment, new hires, training, and expansion.
Nearly 200 students attended the Clinton High School CU4 Reality Financial Fair sponsored by Leominster Credit Union on March 30, 2017. The Financial Education Fair prepares students for the many financial decisions they will need to make once out of school. Students prepare for the event through a yearlong curriculum that introduces them to skills on responsible money management, creating a budget and making wise decisions regarding credit. The CU4 Reality Financial Fair is a three-hour exercise where students select a career with realistic salaries and then start on a “financial education” journey visiting booths attended by local businesses, volunteers and LCU employees to gain a real life understanding of living expenses.
Students visited booths where everyday life experiences and spending situations were presented. Volunteers including auto dealers, realtors, lenders, utility providers, retailers and others who helped them understand the actual expenses and how to develop a spending plan. This event brings awareness and a focus on “needs versus wants.” Students learned that they may need to change expectations. Instead of buying a car, they may need to take public transportation; or they may need share living expenses with a roommate in order to make ends meet.
This year, in addition to Clinton High School attendees, students from Lincoln-Sudbury and Concord-Carlisle Regional High Schools as well as Clinton Middle School participated in the event.
Students from Nichols College served as ‘credit counselors’ and reviewed each student’s plan. They showed them where they were over budget and recommended adjusting their choices by eliminating some of the ‘wants’ in order to have enough for the necessities.
John O’Brien, President and CEO of Leominster Credit Union commented, “It is very rewarding to be a part of this event at Clinton High School. This Financial Fair presents real life experiences, creates awareness of financial circumstances and assists the students in preparing for their future. We’d like to thank Ellen Welch, Business Technology teacher for all her hard work, as well as those who took time out of their busy schedules to support this event including Leanne Martin Fay, of Economic Empowerment Program Director for Financial Education from the State Treasurer’s Office, Principal Jim Hastings and Superintendent of Schools Terrance Ingano.”
Founded in 1954, Leominster Credit Union (LCU) is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative with a full range of deposit, lending and other financial services. Headquartered in Leominster, Massachusetts, LCU is proud to claim nearly 50,000 members and more than $600 million in assets. LCU has seven branch locations in Leominster, Worcester, Clinton, Holden, Sterling and North Leominster with ATM services at all branch locations. 24-hour online banking services are available at www.leominstercu.com and by telephone at 800-649-4646.
