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The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce announced it has sponsored the construction of a new welcome sign for the Town of Pepperell located at the intersection of Lowell Road (Route 113) and East Street in Pepperell, heading into the town from Dunstable.
The new sign is part of a project to construct welcome signs at key gateways in communities to boost civic pride and serve as a positive first impression for visitors. The project was partially funded by a grant secured by the Chamber.
The signs were designed and produced by Add-A-Sign in Leominster and represent the region’s traditional New England style. The Pepperell welcome sign includes a carving of the Town of Pepperell seal and is painted in the town’s proud color of blue.
“One of the goals of our regional economic development plan, One North Central, was to capitalize on our region’s unique locations,” said Roy Nascimento, President and CEO, North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. “Each community brings a distinctive experience to the region and with this project, those entering Pepperell will be welcomed with the town’s colors and also learn a little bit about the town’s historic heritage.”
“As we prepare for our 250ta anniversary next year, the welcome sign is a great way to engage our community as we plan to remember our impressive past and celebrate our achievements while welcoming residents and visitors to our community,” said Andrew MacLean, town administrator, Town of Pepperell. “We are grateful to the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce for this donation and look forward to having everyone join us in 2025 to celebrate our town and its rich history.”
In addition to Pepperell, similar welcome signs have been installed at key gateways in Fitchburg, Gardner, Hubbardston, Leominster, Lunenburg, Sterling and Westminster. Additional signs will be constructed for other communities in North Central Massachusetts as funding becomes available.
Pepperell | Chamber of Commerce | North Central Massachusetts | North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce | Community Development | Middlesex County | Economic Development | Legislative Issues | Government Affairs | Elected Officials
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Más informaciónThe North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation (NCMDC), the economic development arm of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, recently approved $75,000 in financing to Tails Pet Salon, located at 1265 South Main Street in Athol. The funding supported startup costs for the business and helped create two full-time and four part-time jobs. NewVue Communities in Fitchburg assisted with the development of the salon’s business plan.
Founded by Danielle Rouleau, Tails Pet Salon offers professional dog grooming as well as specialty services, such as flea and de-skunk treatments. Rouleau, who is a certified veterinary technician, has worked at Adams VCA Animal Hospital since 1997. For the past 17 years, she owned and operated Doe Valley Standard Poodles, a breeding standard for poodles.
“Following years of providing care and comfort to dogs through my work in veterinary care, I am excited to embark on offering services to help dogs maintain good hygiene and a clean appearance,” said Rouleau. “I am grateful for the collaboration of the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation and NewVue Communities for all they did to help me ignite my entrepreneurial spirit with Tails Pet Salon.”
Como entidad de microcréditos, NCMDC puede otorgar préstamos a pequeñas empresas de hasta $250,000 para capital de trabajo, bienes inmuebles, equipo, inventario y expansión, además de colaborar con nuestros socios bancarios para proporcionar financiamiento puente para la etapa final de un proyecto.
For more information about the NCMDC loan programs, please call 978.353.7607 or visit NorthCentralMass.com or ChooseNorthCentral.com.
Athol | North Central Massachusetts | Chamber of Commerce | Economic Development | North Central Massachusetts Chamber | Massachusetts Business | Chamber of Commerce Member Benefits | Community Support | Business Development | Small Business Loans | Business Resources
Care Central VNA & Hospice, Inc. is excited to announce Dr. Stove Sobel as the keynote speaker for the 16th Annual Executive Leadership Breakfast on Wednesday, September 18, 2024 from 7:30 am – 9:15am at the Great Wolf Lodge in Fitchburg. Sponsorships and individual tickets are still available. For more details, please reach out to Kristin Mattson at .
The City of Fitchburg Health Department invites the public to attend an Overdose Awareness Vigil to be held on Thursday, August 22, 2024 at the Upper Common, Main Street, Fitchburg. A variety of resource tables will be available at 6:15pm and the Vigil will begin at 7pm.
This is a time to join together and remember lives lost to overdose while giving hope to those struggling. Once again, the gazebo will be lit up purple representing overdose awareness. Several speakers will reflect on the impact overdose has had on their lives. This is always a powerful program and enables the community to gather in an atmosphere of fellowship and support. Inspirational music will be featured and food will be available. Residents are welcome to bring a chair to the event which traditionally ends around 8pm with the raising of purple glow sticks in memory of those who have passed from overdose, reminding us that there is help and there is hope.
Narcan training and distribution will be available throughout the evening. Luminary Bags will be available for remembrance and Purple ribbons will be distributed for residents to wear on International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31.
To honor a loved one lost overdose, please email a photograph to . Luminary memorial bags will be available for decoration that evening or can be picked up at the Outreach & Prevention Office, 2nd Floor, 14 Wallace Ave, Fitchburg. The luminary bags will be lit and displayed throughout the event.
The North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation (NCMDC), the economic development arm of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, today announced it has provided $12,000 in additional funding to help support the City of Leominster’s Façade Improvement Program. Since 2022, the NCMDC has provided a total of $57,000 toward the program.
The program, which provides an opportunity for downtown property owners and businesses to upgrade their building’s exterior, aims to help the city retain and attract businesses, strengthen the downtown area, increase utilization of existing businesses, and enhance property values.
Managed by the city’s Façade Grant Design Committee under the direction of the Mayor’s Office and the Economic Development Coordinator, the program offers funding for exterior improvements on building facades intended to improve the building’s aesthetic appearance. Since the program was introduced in 2022, 13 businesses have participated, including The Groom Room, Tim’s Diner, Allen’s Department Store, Medical Arts Hearing Instruments, Tavern 13, TC Lando’s, C&M Pizza, Columbia Tavern and Logan’s Table, to name a few.
“The businesses in our downtown area that have utilized these funds, such as Allen’s Department Store on Main Street, have enhanced the unique buildings that make up our downtown area and improved the overall look and feel of Leominster,” said Mayor Dean J. Mazzarella, City of Leominster. “With these additional funds, we are happy to have had so many downtown businesses be able to renovate their storefronts and bring new life into our older buildings.”
“We have seen the positive impact of how these rounds of our funding improved the aesthetics of these downtown businesses in Leominster,” said Roy M. Nascimento, president and CEO, North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. “With this grant, downtown Leominster-based businesses have the opportunity to enhance the city’s image and ability to attract new residents and investment in the community.”
The funding came from a competitive economic development grant secured by the NCMDC from the Executive Office of Economic Development.
Leominster | Chamber of Commerce | North Central Massachusetts | Economic Development | North Central Massachusetts Chamber | New England Town | Small Town Economy | Worcester County | Community Development | Rural Economy | Business Growth | Business Resources | Business Growth | Sustainable Development
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Haggstrom recognized by fellow ambassadors for outreach, engagement efforts with chamber members in the North Central region
Michelle Haggstrom, realtor at Keller Williams Realty of North Central Massachusetts, has been named the 2024 Ambassador of the Year by the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. The announcement was made during the chamber’s Annual Meeting on June 20, 2024.
Chamber Ambassadors are valued volunteers to the Chamber who serve as the face of the organization in the community. They assist the Chamber with communications to new and existing members, participate in ribbon cuttings and help connect members at various Chamber events. Haggstrom was voted Ambassador of the Year by her fellow Chamber Ambassadors at their May meeting.
“We are grateful to Michelle for her dedication and active involvement in the Chamber as we work to advance our goals throughout the 27 communities that comprise our region,” said Roy Nascimento, president and CEO, North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. “Michelle has been an active member of the Chamber not only in her capacity as an Ambassador but as a champion of our events and many initiatives.”
Haggstrom is a Platinum Top Producer and past president of the North Central Mass Association of Realtors® and was recognized as the Massachusetts Realtor® of the Year in 2016. She is a Certified Residential Specialist, Seniors Real Estate Specialist, Real Estate Divorce Specialist and Probate Specialist in addition to serving as a Massachusetts commercial alliance board member. As a Resort and Second Home Property Specialist, Haggstrom helps clients purchase homes they’ve dreamed of owning.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Fitchburg State University. In addition to her involvement with the Chamber’s Ambassadors, Haggstrom is also very active on a number of boards and charitable organizations, including serving on the board of the United Way of North Central Massachusetts, Leominster’s Zoning Board of Appeals and the Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee. She has been recognized as a good neighbor by the local Realtor® board for her community service and involvement.
“Serving as an Ambassador offers me a unique opportunity to connect more deeply with Chamber members while also developing meaningful relationships with businesses in our community,” said Haggstrom. “Through ribbon cuttings, new member events and other networking opportunities, I’m able to see firsthand the incredible advantages and support our Chamber brings to its members and our entire region.”
Fitchburg | Chamber of Commerce | North Central Massachusetts | North Central Massachusetts Chamber | Community Leadership | Community Support | Local Networking Events | Michelle Haggstrom | Chamber 2024 Ambassador of the Year
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