FITCHBURG, Ma., November 30 – Workers Credit Union has received the 2020 Spirit of North Central Award for Corporate Leadership of the United Way annual campaign. During the United Way’s Annual Meeting held  earlier this fall, Workers was honored along with three other local businesses.

The award recognizes corporate partners that embody an overall spirit of giving through contributions of time, leadership and resources in support of United Way of North Central Massachusetts’ work. The recipients demonstrated excellence during a particularly challenging time through robust volunteerism and participation in the United Way workplace campaign. Each year, Workers Credit Union employees participate in the United Way in a variety of ways: payroll contribution, Day of Caring volunteerism, and employee-led fundraisers throughout the year.

“Receiving this award from the United Way is a testament to our employees’ dedication to the community and the overall culture here at Workers Credit Union. Each year, we are able to collectively donate thousands of dollars to support the important work of the United Way and help build a stronger North Central Massachusetts. I am proud to work with such caring people,” said Doug Petersen, president and CEO of Workers Credit Union.

“It’s more important than ever to support our local organizations to ensure they can continue to provide relief to the community,” said Tim Smith, Chief Financial Officer of Workers Credit Union and Vice Chairman of the Board at the United Way North Central Massachusetts. “We hope other businesses will join us in sponsoring the United Way for the 2020-2021 campaign year.”

Donations toward the United Way of North Central Massachusetts can be made at www.uwncm.org.

Workers Credit Union, a $2 billion federally-chartered 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 Workers Way™ and the GiveBack program. With branches in Athol, Chelmsford, Fitchburg, Gardner, Groton, Hudson, Lancaster, Leominster, Lunenburg, Orange, Townsend, Westford and Worcester as well as online, mobile, telephone, and video-teller banking, Workers proudly serves more than 106,000 members.

Move Aims to Help Businesses during the Covid-19 Pandemic

GARDNER – November 10^ta, 2020 – Gardner Mayor Michael J. Nicholson is pleased to announce the City of Gardner is suspending fees for liquor licenses for Gardner businesses that apply for on- premise consumption liquor licenses for the 2021 calendar year.

In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, businesses across the City have been forced to adapt to a difficult and ever changing set of circumstances. This was particularly hard for businesses in the restaurant industry that had to close for a portion of the year due to regulations put in place to curb the spread of the virus. It is Mayor Nicholson’s hope to lessen the burden these businesses are facing by temporarily suspending food and liquor license fees.

“I would like to sincerely thank Mayor Nicholson for finding new ways for the City to help alleviate the small business crisis precipitated by the pandemic,” said Rick Walton, owner of Gardner Ale House and Moon Hill Brewing Company “For so many of us, the cash flow just isn’t there; waiving the liquor license fee helps a lot.”

Under Massachusetts General Laws, fees for liquor licenses are set by vote of the License Commission. This group of three individuals are appointed by the Mayor with approval by the City Council. Mayor Nicholson presented the commission with his proposed order suspending these fees for the coming year at their meeting on November 10^ta, and they voted unanimously to endorse the Mayor’s proposal.

“This has been a tough year for everyone in the City, particularly for our restaurants who had to close and then were only able to operate on a take-out basis for the majority of this past year. This has only been exacerbated by the cooler temperatures causing many locations to end their outdoor seating option” said Mayor Nicholson. “We are taking this move to help our local businesses get back on their feet and get through this pandemic even with the challenges that we are facing. Thank you to the License Commission for voting to approve this proposal, and I look forward to seeing how it can help our businesses during these trying times.”

Liquor license applications run annually with the calendar year with the License Commission voting to approve applications during the month of December. This proposal would only be in effect for the 2021 calendar year. “I think this is a great way for us to be able to help businesses who have been struggling,” Michael Fitzsimmons, chair of the Gardner License Commission said during the meeting.

Twenty-seven businesses in Gardner annually apply for liquor licenses- including restaurants, social clubs, cafes, and other food establishments across the City. This waiver does not extend for licenses for off- premise consumption, as those establishments were able to remain open during the COVID-19 shut down.