E-Newsletter
An Electronic Publication of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce
Inside this edition, you’ll discover the latest Chamber initiatives and success stories from across our region. From economic development projects and upcoming networking events to policy updates and workforce training opportunities, we’re keeping you connected to what matters most for your business and North Central Massachusetts.
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Fuente del artículo: State House News Service
Autor: Colin A. Young
[Coverage Developing] With the Internal Revenue Service moving the federal tax filing deadline back about a month, the Legislature plans to fold a matching extension for the state tax deadline into the unemployment insurance, paid leave and tax relief bill that’s expected to pass the Senate on Thursday. The U.S. Treasury and IRS announced Wednesday that the federal income tax filing due date for individuals for the 2020 tax year would be automatically extended from April 15 to May 17. Senate President Karen Spilka and House Speaker Ronald Mariano announced Thursday morning that “the Senate and House will act immediately to align our state deadlines accordingly.” “The Senate and the House expect to include this in already moving legislation that addresses emergency paid leave, unemployment insurance, and tax relief on forgiven PPP loans,” the legislative leaders said in a joint statement. “This tax flexibility, which was also authorized last year by the Legislature, will provide stability and ensure residents have time to prepare and file as we continue to weather the impacts of the pandemic.” Last year, the state tax filing deadline was moved from April to July, meaning that some fiscal year 2020 revenue was not collected until the early months of fiscal year 2021, a shift that required legislation to authorize bridge borrowing. It is unclear whether the same will be true this year given that the deadline would not be pushed into next fiscal year.The retirement age was long believed to be 65. Thus, the moment most individuals clocked 65, they tapped out of the employment sector and went home to start drawing on their Social Security benefits. Our community is experiencing a major shift as more and more workers are opting to stay on, later than 65, some even going beyond 70, which is good news for our local companies.
When people retire early or the slated 65, workers with vital experience take all that knowledge with them and this leaves our firms with knowledge gaps worth decades. While new blood is essential for the companies’ perfect running and catching up with the new status quo, knowledgeable, and technical know-how, it is worth noting that expertise gathered over decades is simply priceless, you can never put a price tag on that. Therefore, it is a good thing that people who have been around as businesses were formed, are in touch with their policies, watched them evolve, and have a clear sense of direction are staying on to keep growing these companies.
Why Are People Opting to Retire Later?
Some have had to retire earlier than they would have wished. We are ambitious people, but circumstances such as ill-health, accidents, or debilitations of all kinds may come between us and our visions for the firms we work in.
Those who stay longer might do so because the age for accessing the Social Security benefits has increased to 67 from 65, which applies to people born later than 1960. We, therefore, have to stay longer to be liable to these benefits.
We all deserve to lead a dignified life after a life spent building our local and country’s economy. Retiring later comes with the added benefit of boosting our income substantially, as the full benefits set on when you clock 70 and a half. People who feel their finances are not in order at the time of retiring might want to work a few more years to improve them. This is partly informed by the fact that the practice of paying pension is quickly losing ground.
A study has found that 61% of Americans fear going broke more than they fear death itself. Just the prospect of going broke has them putting in more hours only to live a better quality of life after retirement. At the same time, most want to stay active and do not prefer the inactive, no-routine experience that comes after retirement.
How Can Companies Gain from Late Retirement?
Regardless of their inspiration to stay longer, companies stand to benefit when we retire later, compared to when we seek early retirement. They have a bigger pool of experienced workers who are in touch with the company’s vision. What’s more, when new workers come in, they can find mentors in workers who have opted to retire much later.
Companies dedicate a lot of resources to training recruits and after all that training, most leave to seek better employment experiences. Older workers tend to stay longer at the firms they work rein. While they may not sit in active job spaces, they can hold consultative positions within the firm, which require a great deal of experience.
Better still, delayed retirement results in a higher GDP of our locale. As long as they keep working, they pay income tax, which goes a long way in improving service delivery in our community.
Remote learning has not been ideal for many students, but it has been popular with one group – those taking graduate and continuing education classes at Framingham State University.
The COVID-19 pandemic forced the state university into online-only classes in March 2020, and as it turns out, many students have been happy with the change.
Michael Merriam, assistant dean/director of Graduate and Continuing Education Recruitment, said it was a challenging transition a year ago when in-person learning abruptly shut down. But it also forced the university to adapt and allowed students to continue learning. Not only have the graduate and continuing education programs continued but several course areas have seen a boost in enrollment, Merriam said.
“We have seen increases in enrollment throughout the course of the pandemic,’’ he said. “We haven’t had any worries about cancelling classes or shutting down programs.’’
Merriam said there have been increases in areas where careers are in high demand or where students see a need for professional development.
In education for example, many teachers who lost their jobs are taking this time to beef up their skills.
“I believe that students are trying to pad their resumes and get additional licensures to make them more marketable,’’ he said. “School districts are saying you may have an elementary certification, but we may need a reading specialist.’’
He said all 13 concentrations in education had increases with the two most popular being special education and literacy and language, which is needed for a reading specialist.
Framingham State offers a range of continuing education courses including graduate degree programs and certificate programs. Many classes focus on the business, education, and health care fields.
Health care is one area that has been growing for a couple of years, he said.
Merriam said the university typically serves students within a 30-mile radius of its campus. But since going remote, students from as far away as Western Massachusetts have signed up for classes.
Merriam said continuing education and graduate classes have been remote since March 2020 and will continue to be throughout the spring and summer. But even when in-person learning resumes, he said the university plans to continue utilizing technology to reach continuing education students.
“The mindset has changed and that’s going to continue,’’ he said. “We’ve been successful remotely. Typical adult learners don’t want to see the campus, they don’t care about sports and clubs. They just want to know what classes there are.’’
Framingham State University offers 60 undergraduate and graduate programs in the arts and humanities, behavioral and social sciences, and professional fields.
Located on Route 9 in the heart of the MetroWest area, Framingham State University has over 35 Master’s Degrees, Graduate Certificates, and Post-Baccalaureate Programs specifically designed and scheduled for working adults.
Framingham State University can be reached at 508-620-1220 or by visiting https://www.framingham.edu/.

In this position, Mr. Ginisi will oversee the organization’s awareness across all digital platforms, help provide impactful and innovative messaging and increase outreach to the 21 communities in North Central Massachusetts that the agency serves.
“We are excited to welcome David to our leadership team,” said Lori Richardson, Chief Executive Officer of Montachusett Home Care Corporation. “David will be a tremendous asset to our agency with his drive for community engagement and his extensive proven marketing and outreach experience. Dave is vital in ensuring that our community knows our mission is to provide comprehensive information and quality services so that older people, individuals with disabilities and their families are empowered to make personalized choices to ensure a life of dignity, safety and respect.”
David joins Montachusett Home Care from the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, and its affiliates: Visit North Central Massachusetts and the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation, where he worked as the Marketing and Communications Manager for several years. He played a pivotal role in helping advance the North Central Massachusetts economy by developing many key marketing campaigns and initiatives while working hand-in-hand with business and community leaders across the entire region. David holds a bachelor’s degree in Communications Media from Fitchburg State University, class of 2016. He is also a graduate of the Community Leadership Institute class of 2020. David is a resident of Fitchburg and is extremely active in his community, including serving on the Board of Directors for Fitchburg Access Television, the Advisory Board for Fitchburg State University’s Center for Italian Culture, and several committees including: The Young Professionals of North Central Massachusetts and Fitchburg Civic Days.
Montachusett Home Care Corporation (MHCC) is a non-profit agency incorporated in 1974 that is overseen by a volunteer Board of Directors from the community it serves. MHCC serves Ashburnham, Ashby, Ayer, Berlin, Bolton, Clinton, Fitchburg, Gardner, Groton, Hubbardston, Lancaster, Leominster, Lunenburg, Pepperell, Princeton, Shirley, Sterling, Templeton, Townsend, Westminster and Winchendon.
MHCC’s trained professional staff of nurses and case managers, work one-on-one with older adults (60+) and adults of all ages living with disabilities to connect them to services such as homemaking, personal care, home delivered meals, chore services, adult day health, caregiver support or information on public benefits and information of community based services. Assessments, care management, service coordination and services delivered are all based upon quality assurance protocols and regulatory compliance standards. Many of the services are free or low-cost, depending upon income.
Business or community members interested in learning more about MHCC’s dynamic line of work should contact David at (978) 466-1571 or via email at .
Learn how to get your garden ready for the colder weather with Ingrid Wheeler, local gardener and landscape designer, on Thursday, September 17, 2020, at 7:00 PM in a special Virtual Workshop!
Whether you are an experienced gardener, or this is your first year with a quarantine garden, there is lots to learn! Topics discussed may include:
Please register at https://tinyurl.com/fplgarden
This is a free program. For information about this or other Library programs call 978-829-1780 or visit our website: www.FitchburgPublicLibrary.org.
PRINCETON, MA, August 17, 2020 – NEADS World Class Service Dogs invites the public to join us in person on Saturday, August 22 from 10am-2pm for the Dog Days of Summer Shop Sale. We’re taking everything outside for a safe, socially distanced shopping experience.
Shoppers can get the best deals of the summer on apparel, gifts, and goodies from the NEADS Shop (shop.neads.org).
We’re planning a safe, socially distanced shopping experience with virus prevention protocols in place including: mandatory masks worn by staff and customers; spaced out tables and tents; Service Dogs and Service Dogs in Training only (no pets).

About NEADS Inc.
NEADS Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in Princeton, Massachusetts. Established in 1976, NEADS offers the widest array of Service Dog programs in the industry, including Service Dogs for adults and children with a physical disability, Service Dogs for veterans, Service Dogs for Hearing, and Service Dogs for children with autism or other developmental disabilities. NEADS dogs are also partnered with professionals in classroom, therapy, hospital, ministry, and courthouse settings. For more information, please visit neads.org.
When the workday ends and the lights go down, Custom Cleaning Service of Peabody, Inc. gets to work. “We operate as our clients’ silent partner after business hours,” says Adam Paicos, of Templeton, who now serves as Director of Operations and oversees the company’s expansion into North Central MA. “We are not often seen, but we ensure facilities are clean, secure, and ready for business each day while serving as the eyes and ears for our clients when they are not on site.”
Discover local business stories through our Inside North Central Massachusetts Podcast series. Listen as Chamber members share their journeys, insights, and contributions to our thriving regional business community.
Looking for your next opportunity? Explore current job openings from employers across North Central Massachusetts on our Jobs Board. Whether you’re starting a new career or making a change, you’ll find a variety of local positions available to help you take the next step.
CapEx Facility Services & Construction · Leominster, MA
TaraVista Behavioral Health Center · Harvard, MA
DRS Power Technology, Inc. · Fitchburg, MA
AIS · Leominster, MA