As your dynamic partner in North Central Massachusetts, we continue to drive initiatives that strengthen our business community and foster regional growth. Our impact spans from direct business support to innovative community development, and we are pleased to share these updates with you that are not covered elsewhere in the newsletter.

MEMBER RECOGNITION INITIATIVE: This fall, the Chamber is launching a new recognition program to honor Chamber members during our popular Good Morning North Central breakfast series who are celebrating major milestones or who have made significant contributions to economic growth and regional quality of life in North Central Massachusetts. Recognition categories include business milestone achievements (25, 50, 75, and 100+ year anniversaries), leadership transitions at major employers, substantial business development projects, individual achievements that bring positive regional recognition, and community enhancement initiatives. Three to five honorees will be featured at select quarterly breakfast events, giving them professional recognition in front of influential business and community leaders while extending their spotlight across our 50,000+ social media followers and communication channels. Nominations are accepted year-round through our online form, and anyone can nominate—including self-nominations from Chamber members. This program celebrates the full spectrum of member achievements that make our region a thriving place to live, work, and grow. Learn more or submit nominations at northcentralmass.com/good-morning-north-central-recognition/.

SMALL BUSINESS LENDING: Strong capital plus strong partnerships equals stronger communities—that’s the formula driving the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation (NCMDC), our Chamber’s economic development arm, as it expands access to crucial small business funding. Since January, NCMDC has approved and closed 15 loans totaling $530,228, directly supporting local entrepreneurs who often can’t secure traditional financing. These loans—ranging from $1,000 to $121,500—included ten SBA loans, four RRF loans, and one EDA loan, creating or saving 54 jobs across our region while revitalizing properties and strengthening our shared economy. Beyond the direct impact, these strategic investments leveraged an additional $188,719 from private sources and banking partners, multiplying every dollar invested. Looking ahead, approximately $1.4 million in loan requests currently sit in our pipeline, with three approved loans totaling $150,000 expected to close soon. With a portfolio of 86 loans totaling over $3.186 million, NCMDC continues strengthening our regional business ecosystem, creating opportunities for all Chamber members through expanded customer bases and more robust supply chains.

BUSINESS ASSISTANCE: Strong businesses build strong communities, and our economic development team continues proving that targeted support makes all the difference. Through August, we’ve delivered 1,586 hours of hands-on technical assistance this year to local entrepreneurs and small businesses—from ambitious startups to established operations ready to scale. Our comprehensive approach focuses on preparing businesses for financing success through our development corporation, providing both pre-loan guidance to strengthen applications and post-loan support to ensure sustainable growth. We also assist with marketing strategies and connecting businesses with the right resources at the right time. Beyond our direct support, we serve as connectors, linking businesses with specialized expertise through our partnerships with other resource partners. This collaborative network creates a ripple effect that strengthens our entire regional economy and benefits all Chamber members through increased local business activity and job creation.

REGIONAL BUSINESS INVESTMENT FUND: Strategic investment in our communities continues supporting business growth throughout the region. The NCMDC’s Regional Business Investment Fund has provided $526,000 through three loans since its launch in 2023, helping to revitalize key properties in our service area. While no additional loans have closed this quarter, momentum continues building behind the scenes. We’ve engaged with additional communities in the region to discuss RBIF opportunities and potential projects, expanding awareness of this resource for real estate development. Several promising developments remain active in our pipeline as they slowly work through the development process, with projects focused on downtown revitalization and creating new housing units that align with both municipal and state priorities for community growth. Due to strong demand and our robust project pipeline, we’re nearing full deployment of our current RBIF capital and have submitted a grant application for additional funding to replenish this successful loan fund in order to continue meeting the growing need for strategic community investment.

INITIATE PROSPERITY PLATFORM UPDATE: After careful evaluation, the Chamber has made the difficult decision to discontinue our Initiate Prosperity online learning platform. While this comprehensive resource offered 300+ business tools and guides in English and Spanish at no cost to members, usage remained consistently low despite our investment in the annual platform fee. Since launching in October 2023, the platform generated only modest engagement that did not justify the ongoing expense. We remain committed to providing valuable member benefits and will continue exploring cost-effective resources that better align with our members’ needs and usage patterns. Members seeking business development resources can still access support through our NCMDC team and other Chamber programs.

CHAMBER GIFT CARDS: Keeping dollars local helps drive economic growth, and our Gift Local program through Yiftee’s Mastercard-based e-gift card platform now features 44 participating merchants ready to serve customers. From January 1, 2025 through August 15, 2025, we have sold 43 eGift Cards totaling $1,560 in value, with 35 cards redeemed during the same period for a total of $1,487.62 at local businesses. The program remains an important shop local initiative, primarily used for holiday gifts and business recognition awards. Yiftee has rolled out a new Tap-to-Pay functionality for mobile wallets that will provide an easier checkout experience for customers and streamline the transaction process for participating merchants. As we head into the busy holiday season, now is the perfect time for eligible members to join as redemption locations or for all members to consider these cards for holiday and client gifting—keeping spending power right here in our communities where it makes the biggest difference. Please contact Patrick O’Hara at 978.353.7600 ext. 239 or via email at to enroll to accept the cards.

COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE: Developing the next generation of regional leaders directly strengthens your business and community connections. Our signature Community Leadership Institute transforms promising professionals into community-minded leaders with broad regional knowledge and valuable networks, giving participants exclusive access to decision-makers across sectors while developing leadership skills that benefit their careers and organizations. Applications for the Class of 2026 closed August 15 with exceptionally strong interest, making this year’s selection process very competitive. We’re currently reviewing applications and anticipate welcoming between 20-25 emerging leaders to this prestigious program. Class selection announcements will be made in September—stay tuned to see which rising stars will join our growing alumni network of regional influencers who are shaping the future of North Central Massachusetts.

SOLAR INITIATIVE: Sustainability initiatives that deliver tangible economic benefits exemplify our practical approach to supporting regional business needs. Since August 2014, our solar initiative has generated over 15,5 million kWh in Net Metering Credits for participating manufacturers, translating to over $3.3 million in collective energy savings. This innovative program demonstrates how collaborative Chamber initiatives can substantially reduce operating costs for member businesses while supporting environmental sustainability goals. As energy costs continue to rise, this program’s success highlights our commitment to developing creative solutions that strengthen our members’ bottom lines while positioning our region as forward-thinking.

WORKNORTHCENTRAL.COM: In today’s competitive job market, connecting the right talent with the right opportunities has never been more critical—which is why our WorkNorthCentral.com jobs board continues to serve as an important tool. As of August 15, 2025, the platform features 275 active positions, connecting local talent with employment opportunities across North Central Massachusetts. Since January, over 850 local jobs have been posted, demonstrating strong use by regional employers. The platform’s focused approach has generated strong user engagement, with an exceptionally low 0.48% bounce rate indicating visitors find relevant opportunities when they visit. Chamber members can post unlimited job openings at no cost—providing another valuable marketing channel for your job opportunities while supporting regional workforce retention. Submit your listings today!

EV CHARGING STATIONS: We’re powering up for the future! This summer we installed two electric vehicle charging stations at our Fitchburg headquarters, providing a valuable amenity for members and visitors while supporting the region’s transition to clean transportation. Special thanks to Unitil for their generous grant that helped offset installation costs, and to Chamber members DMH Electric of Sterling and Fuse Energy of Groton for stepping up as sponsors to cover remaining expenses. This member-supported initiative demonstrates the collaborative spirit that drives progress in our region—when businesses work together, everyone benefits. Whether you’re attending a meeting, networking event, or just visiting our offices, you can now charge up while you connect with fellow Chamber members.

CHAMBER BUILDING IMPROVEMENTS: Our ongoing investments in the Chamber building reflect our commitment to providing members with a professional, welcoming environment for the numerous meetings, networking events, workshops and business gatherings we host throughout the year. Following the installation of our new EV charging stations, we’ve added three security cameras on the Chamber grounds to ensure the safety of members, staff, and visitors who may use the charging stations after hours. These strategic improvements to your Chamber home enhance security and peace of mind while demonstrating responsible stewardship of membership investments. Every upgrade we make maintains both the functionality and professional atmosphere you expect from the Chamber as the hub of business activity in North Central Massachusetts, ensuring our facility continues serving as the welcoming, secure environment where regional business connections flourish.

GOLF TOUR OF NORTH CENTRAL: The Chamber is launching a new Golf Tour of North Central Massachusetts event series running August through October to showcase our region’s exceptional recreational assets and strengthen business connections across the area. This initiative highlights member golf courses in the region while providing valuable networking opportunities for business professionals of all backgrounds. This inclusive program welcomes everyone—from experienced golfers to those who have never taken a swing and want an introduction to the game. Each stop on the tour will feature course history presentations, professional instruction, and play at premier facilities including Oak Hill Country Club (1921), Templewood Golf Course, Ellinwood Country Club, Mulligans Mini Golf, and Settlers Crossing Golf Course. For business owners and professionals, these events offer relaxed settings to build meaningful relationships outside traditional office environments while experiencing firsthand the quality-of-life amenities that help attract and retain visitors and talent to our region. Future plans include expanding the tour with additional courses while incorporating non-golf members through creative partnerships that highlight local restaurants, regional destinations, and other small businesses. The tour underscores our region’s competitive advantages in recreation and tourism—key factors in business location decisions and economic development success. By participating, members gain new business connections, support local tourism enterprises, and help promote the recreational excellence that makes North Central Massachusetts an attractive destination for companies, employees, and visitors alike. Visit www.NorthCentralMass.com for tour schedules and sponsorship opportunities.

FUTURE LEADERS OF NORTH CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS: You asked, we answered! Based on valuable member feedback, we’re excited to announce that our “Young Professionals of North Central Massachusetts” program is being rebranded as the “Future Leaders of North Central Massachusetts.” This strategic change reflects our commitment to creating more inclusive programming that serves our membership better. The new format removes all age restrictions, welcoming professionals at any career stage from member companies who are ready to grow their leadership skills and expand their professional networks. Unlike our comprehensive Community Leadership Institute program, Future Leaders focuses on ongoing networking events, informal mentorship connections, and peer-to-peer professional development throughout the year. This program provides regular touchpoints for emerging professionals to connect, share experiences, and build relationships that support career growth within our regional business community. We envision this program will also serve as both a pathway for future Community Leadership Institute participants and potentially as a continuing connection point for CLI alumni, creating a robust leadership development ecosystem that spans career stages. Whether you’re a recent graduate, changing careers, or taking on new leadership responsibilities, these accessible events offer flexible opportunities to engage with fellow professionals without a major commitment. Learn more about upcoming Emerging Leaders events and how to get involved on our website at www.NorthCentralMass.com or contact us directly.

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