Join us at Polar Park on Friday June 21st, 2024 as the Worcester Red Sox take on the Columbus Clippers! Tickets purchased through this link will also support the Warmer Winters non-profit out of Leominster MA (https://www.warmerwinters.net/about-us).
Each ticket will include:
A fixed seat in our 3rd Base Field Box of the seating bowl
$2 of Loaded Value*
$5 fundraiser that goes back to Warmer Winters
And don’t forget to stick around after the conclusion of the game for UniBank Fireworks! Take in the spectacular firework display that has become synonymous with Friday nights in Worcester!
*Loaded Value is ballpark credit on your ticket that is redeemable at concession stands and the Team Store; Just scan your ticket barcode at the register and take $2 off your purchase*
Please contact Joe Foley, , (508) 204-5384 with any questions.
Workers Credit Union has named Jay Champion as its CEO and President. He brings over 35 years of experience developing high performing and engaged teams at financial institutions. Since July of 2023, Champion has served as the credit union’s Interim CEO and President after the retirement of Doug Petersen, who was with the credit union for 27 years.
“Jay is a seasoned financial leader and has the skills needed to maintain our team’s delivery of top-notch member service,” says Nilesh Gunda, Board Chair of Workers Credit Union. “In less than a year, Jay has made a positive impact on Workers Credit Union and our mission to empower our members to achieve financial wellness. We’re confident in Jay’s ability to continue advancing our goals while being an innovative leader to help the credit union continue to thrive.”
Since joining Workers Credit Union, Champion has established a vision for financial growth and stability that focuses on member choice and innovation, empowering his team to think creatively about the future while honoring the past.
“Workers Credit Union is an institution that has made an indelible impact on North Central Massachusetts since its founding 110 years ago by helping people and businesses save, spend, invest, borrow, and plan. Our team is passionate about being the community economic engine that people and businesses in our markets can count on.” says Champion. “I am honored to lead our team in our mission to continue improving the daily lives of our members.”
Champion most recently served as President and CEO of Westerra Credit Union in Denver, Colorado. Prior to that, he served as Chief Operating Officer of Elevations Credit Union in Boulder, Colorado. Throughout his experience serving in multiple C-suite roles for various financial institutions over the past 30+ years, Champion has become highly skilled in building healthy and engaged team cultures, enhancing business process management, and driving organizational performance.
Champion obtained his Master of Business Administration with Finance and Management concentrations from Texas A&M University – Commerce and his Bachelor of Science in Economics from East Texas State University. He is also a graduate of the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University.
About Workers Credit Union
Workers Credit Union, a member-owned and member-focused $2.4 billion credit union, is building the financial wellness of its nearly 122,000 members through coaching, products and support that empowers them to build a better life for themselves and their families. Headquartered in Littleton, MA, Workers Credit Union has been serving communities in Massachusetts for more than 110 years. Workers Credit Union is a Community Development Financial Institution and Low-Income Designated Credit Union.
Organized by the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, CLI is the premier community leadership program in North Central Massachusetts. Since 1988, the program has helped to shape over 300 community leaders with immersive educational experiences and engagements.
Starting during the Fall of each year, participants gather monthly for day-long, community educational sessions focused on topics including Personal Leadership; Non-Profit Governance/Volunteerism; History of the Region; Media and Crisis Communications; Healthcare; Law and Justice; Legislation/Public Policy; Arts and Culture; and Economic Development. In addition, the class will break into smaller groups during the year to identify, manage and execute a community service project. The experience culminates with a commencement ceremony at the Chamber’s Annual Meeting and Business Expo where the class and their service projects are recognized.
Participants are typically nominated and sponsored by their employer. Those who are self-employed may also self-nominate to participate. Successful candidates must demonstrate motivation and potential to lead within their business or community; be considered high performers in their organization and on a leadership track; seek to understand issues facing North Central Massachusetts; be committed to the success of his or her sector and community; be curious and interested in developing new relationships; want to enhance their network of professionals; and be open to challenging their own point of view.
Tuition is $1,950 and includes all program materials and lunches. CLI participants will also receive season tickets to the Chamber’s Good Morning North Central executive breakfast series and other Chamber events for additional educational opportunities. A limited number of full and half-tuition scholarships are available. Applicants seeking scholarships for the CLI program must provide a letter of request to be considered for one of the scholarships. Those who commit to CLI must fully participate in all sessions, and nominating employers must commit to support their candidate’s participation.
To learn more and apply, visit North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce/CLI. Applications for CLI will be reviewed by the CLI Steering Committee and applicants notified no later than September 27, 2024.
For questions or more information, contact Maureen Babcock at 978.353.7600 ext. 222 or via email at .
Fitchburg | Chamber of Commerce | North Central Massachusetts | North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce | Community Leadership | Local Networking Events
ConvenientMD presents its student scholarship award at its Leominster urgent care clinic. Pictured here is award recipient Abigail Barnaby, along with members of ConvenientMD’s Leominster clinic and Scholarship Selection Committee.
Leominster High School Senior Abigail Barnaby was recently awarded a $2,500 scholarship from ConvenientMD Urgent Care. ConvenientMD’s Student Scholarship Program has expanded to award ten $2,500 scholarships to high school seniors from Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts who plan to pursue post-secondary education in the healthcare field. There were nearly 800 applications for this year’s scholarship awards.
“ConvenientMD is honored to play a role in shaping the healthcare leaders of tomorrow. These scholarships will provide much needed support to these students pursuing post-secondary education in healthcare,” said Massachusetts Director of Operations Bridgette Adams.
“Our Social Impact Committee was impressed to see Abigial’s commitment to academic success, while also finding time to engage and excel in extracurriculars,” said ConvenientMD Community Partnerships Manager Morgan Faustino.
ConvenientMD is New England’s leading urgent care provider. Its clinics, including the location at 20 Commercial Road in Leominster, are open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. to serve the community’s immediate medical needs – no appointment necessary. Learn more at ConvenientMD.com.
About ConvenientMD Headquartered in Portsmouth, NH, ConvenientMD is a walk-in and virtual healthcare provider dedicated to delivering the best medical care and experience for patients throughout New England. By offering fast, quality care at an affordable rate, ConvenientMD is raising the bar for urgent care and reshaping the delivery of modern healthcare. Each urgent care center provides an advanced array of services—including X-rays, IVs, labs, and minor surgical procedures—as well as staff committed to following an innovative, full-service approach to satisfying patients’ demands for convenient, compassionate treatment in an urgent care setting.
Members of Beers For Good present a $1,000 donation to Mayor Sam Squailia and Fitchburg Civic Days on behalf of the Nashua River Brewers Festival. Beers For Good has donated more than $85,000 in proceeds from the annual festival to local charities since 2008. Tickets are now on sale for the 14th Nashua River Brewers Festival – featuring 30+ brewers, live music, food and fun – on June 29 at Fitchburg’s Riverfront Park.
Join Wachusett Business Incubator for a one-hour class that will show you how to use the free version of Canva for your business marketing and printing needs. Topics include logo creation, print options, and sizing for online marketing.
Bring your questions as there will be time for Questions and Answers.
Friday, June 14th – 9 AM – 12 PM Location – MWCC – Leominster Cost – FREE but requires registration.
Entrepreneurship 101: Presentation Agenda
Part 1: Introduction to Entrepreneurship – Dr. Mike Greenwood
Overview: Discuss the entrepreneurial mindset and key characteristics of successful entrepreneurs.
Opportunity Identification: Briefly cover methods to identify and assess business opportunities.
Part 2: Developing the Business Idea – Dr. Mike Greenwood
Idea Generation: Share techniques for brainstorming and creative thinking.
Validation: Introduce basic validation tools like market feasibility and the Lean Startup approach.
Part 3: Essentials of Business Planning – John Lohmann
Business Plan Components: Outline the structure of a simple business plan.
Goal Setting and Financial Basics: Highlight how to set realistic goals and basic financial projections.
Part 4: Marketing and Sales Overview – John Lohmann
Marketing Basics: Brief discussion on creating a marketing strategy and understanding the target market.
Sales Fundamentals: Introduce basic sales techniques and the importance of customer relationships.
Part 5: Funding and Legal Considerations – Sandie Cataldo
Financing Options: Overview of different funding avenues like bootstrapping, loans, and investors.
Legal Basics: Discuss the importance of choosing the right business structure and understanding regulatory requirements.
Funding to Gardner Downtown Crossing, LLC, for development of residential apartments, restaurant
The North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation (NCMDC), the economic development arm of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, today announced it has provided $250,000 to Gardner Downtown Crossing, LLC, under the NCMDC’s Regional Business Investment Fund (RBIF).
The funding will support the development of commercial space in a mixed-use building located at 25 Main Street in the city. The plans include six one-bedroom and eight two-bedroom apartments on the second and third floors, and a 5,000 square foot restaurant on the first floor.
Jonathan Bombaci, a redeveloper and owner of Gardner Downtown Crossing, is no stranger to redeveloping older, outdated buildings into modern apartments and commercial space in the city, as his team is currently redeveloping 2-10 Parker Street.
“The building at 25 Main Street is at the crossroads of downtown Gardner and provides much opportunity to develop living and dining spaces that will complement the current landscape while also providing the city with additional residents and visitors who will dine or call 25 Main their home in the future,” said Bombaci. “The RBIF is a viable lending option for us to cover costs and expenses that are typically not available for financing, and we are grateful to the North Central Development Corporation and the Chamber for offering this type of loan to us.”
The RBIF can be used by developers for engineering, soft costs, site work, infrastructure, and hard costs for specific developments in the 26 communities that make up the North Central region and differs from other loan programs offered through the NCMDC. The loans are very flexible and geared towards real estate projects, with flexible repayment terms, and can be used to cover soft costs and other expenses not traditionally covered by lenders. Also, unlike other loan programs, the RBIF can be used for housing projects and non-profits are also eligible.
The project has the support of City of Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson and local officials, and is considered an important redevelopment project in the downtown area of the city.
“The team at Gardner Downtown Crossing has already made a significant investment in the downtown area and we are looking forward to working with them as they redevelop the property at 25 Main Street,” said Mayor Nicholson. “We are grateful that Gardner Downtown Crossing sees Gardner as a place with tremendous opportunity for growth and we will be here to help assist them toward their success along the way.
Fitchburg, MA | Chamber of Commerce | North Central Massachusetts | North Central Massachusetts Chamber | Massachusetts Business | Economic Development | Massachusetts Business | Economic Development | Gardner Downtown Crossing, LLC | Business Development | Business Loans | Gardner, MA
The for the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce is scheduled for Thursday, June 20, 2024, from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Great Wolf Lodge, 150 Great Wolf Drive, Fitchburg.
This annual event celebrates business people working together to ensure a bright future for North Central Massachusetts and presents an opportunity for the region’s business and community leaders to build camaraderie among peers. In addition to the Chamber’s annual recognition awards and commencement for the Community Leadership Institute Class of 2024, a tabletop Business Expo will also be offered to showcase local businesses. The expo provides an opportunity for exhibitors to reach hundreds of business and community leaders from throughout North Central Massachusetts. The Business Expo will begin at 10:30 a.m.; the Annual Meeting and Luncheon will run from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; and the Business Expo will close out the day from 1:30 to 2:00 p.m.
The event is funded by the generous support of various businesses and organizations, including:
Annual Meeting Sponsor:
Fidelity Bank
Business Expo Sponsors:
MassHire North Central Workforce Board and the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation
Supporting Sponsors:
AIS, Inc.; Enterprise Bank; Fitchburg Redevelopment Authority; Fitchburg State University; GFA Federal Credit Union; Great Wolf Lodge; IC Credit Union; Leominster Credit Union; Main Street Bank; Micro Machine & Electronics, Inc.; Mount Wachusett Community College; Rollstone Bank & Trust; and Staples.
Anthony Everett, Anchor of WCVB Channel 5 – Chronicle
This year’s keynote speaker is Anthony Everett, the 14-time Emmy Award-winning anchor of WCVB Channel 5’s nightly newsmagazine, “Chronicle.” Everett has hosted “Chronicle,” the nation’s longest-running, locally produced newsmagazine, since 2005. On the show, Everett explores the “Main Streets and Back Roads” of New England, serving as part storyteller and part ambassador for its best offerings. He has also served as co-anchor of NewsCenter 5 at 5:00, 5:30, 6:00 and 11:00 p.m. Additionally, he has served as WCVB’s senior correspondent for major national events and breaking news and has regularly contributed to special reports for all WCVB newscasts. His strong reporting skills have helped WCVB garner multiple prestigious awards, including the Edward R. Murrow Awards for News Series and News Documentary in 2013, the Associated Press Awards for Investigative Reporting and Documentary Reporting in 2012, and the National Headliner Award for Breaking News in 2003.
Everett began his tenure at WCVB’s NewsCenter 5 in 1990 as a general assignment reporter. Prior to joining Channel 5, Everett was a general assignment reporter and weekday anchor on the 6 and 11 PM newscasts at WVIT-TV, the NBC affiliate in Hartford, CT. Everett began his professional broadcasting career in 1984 as a sports reporter and anchor at KSPN-TV in Aspen, Colo. He later became KSPN’s news director and remained with the station until 1987.
Everett is a graduate of Tufts University in Medford, MA. He has taught journalism classes at Tufts and currently serves as a guest lecturer in their Film and Media Studies Program. He has also lectured and spoken at Boston College, Harvard Business School, the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, and many other educational and community groups throughout New England. Everett is an FAA-certified and licensed drone pilot and enjoys aerial photography, skiing, cycling, boating, and fishing as hobbies.
Registrations for the Annual Business Meeting and Luncheon are being accepted through June 19, by contacting the Chamber at 978.353.7600, ext. 222 or ext. 235, or via email at . Registration is also available online. The cost is just $55 per person for members and $70 per person for non-members and includes lunch. Reservations are required. Supporting sponsorships, expo tables and tables of ten are also available.
Chamber of Commerce | North Central Massachusetts | North Central Massachusetts Chamber | Local Networking Events | Annual Meeting and Business Luncheon
$46,000 awarded to the region’s most outstanding high school seniors.
Families, friends, fellow graduates, and business and community leaders recently gathered for the annual Chamber Foundation of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce scholarship program to recognize the region’s most outstanding high school seniors. The awardees were acknowledged during the Annual Scholar’s Breakfast held on Friday, May 10, 2024, at Great Wolf Lodge in Fitchburg.
Proceeds from the breakfast program benefit the Chamber Foundation and help support Chamber scholarships in future years. Maria Milagros, an award-winning speaker, award nominated author, TEDx speaker, storyteller and empowerment life coach, led the ceremony and delivered the keynote address.
For the Class of 2024, a total of $46,000 in scholarships were awarded from either endowments or funds provided by local companies and individuals. The Scholarship Committee selected the recipients from among college-bound seniors who live in one of the 27 communities served by the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce based on a student’s overall merit, including academics, sports, volunteer work and employment.
Twenty-three scholarships of $2,000 were provided to the following seniors:
Since the establishment of its scholarship program, the Chamber Foundation has awarded more than a million dollars in scholarships to more than 680 students. Many of these awards are made possible through contributions from members of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, with scholarships endowed through the Chamber Foundation often named in honor of prominent members of the North Central Massachusetts business community whose philanthropy and commitment to the community have helped shape the region.
“The North Central region is exceptional in its generosity, investment and commitment to supporting its future leaders,” said Roy M. Nascimento, president and CEO, North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. “These scholarships are one way we can recognize local students as they continue their education through the support of organizations and individuals who help make these scholarships possible for our graduating seniors.”
The Chamber wishes to thank the Scholar’s Breakfast Premier Sponsor: Rollstone Bank & Trust; Recipient Ticket Sponsor: Great Wolf Lodge; Supporting Sponsors: AIS, Inc. and Steel-Fab Inc.; Program Sponsor: North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation; Center Piece Sponsor: Leominster Credit Union; Gift Sponsor: Fitchburg State University; as well as the many Chamber members who contributed towards the scholarships.
The Chamber Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization focused on assisting in the betterment of the region through charitable activities. Funds raised by the Chamber Foundation are utilized primarily for education and workforce development initiatives and charitable activities in North Central Massachusetts.
For more information on the Chamber Foundation of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce scholarship program or to view a list of the named scholarships, please click here or call 978.353.7600, ext. 225.
Chamber of Commerce | North Central Massachusetts | North Central Massachusetts Chamber | Massachusetts Education System | Massachusetts Education Investments | Massachusetts Community Investments
We want to remind our Tourism Members of 2 very helpful ways we can promote your business but we need your help to do it.
1. EVENTS
Send us your calendar of special events. We want to expand our online calendar of events. You are able to post your event here. We will feature you events on visitnorthcentral.com which has seen a significant increase in traffic in the past year. We will also include selected events on our social media posts on Facebook y Instagram. (Our Facebook following ranks 3rd in the state among the 16 Regional Tourist Councils.) Whenever possible we will also feature upcoming events on our email newsletter.
2. PHOTOS
We are also working on expanding our photo files. We have constant need for updated photos for our:
If you have any questions, please contact Vicky Tippawong at . Thanks you for your ongoing support of all our marketing efforts to promote North Central Mass.
Chamber of Commerce | North Central Massachusetts | Worcester County | Local Business | Visit North Central Massachusetts | Visit North Central Local Tourism
