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.
The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce is here to help – with trusted resources, a strong business network, and a support system to keep your business and the region moving forward

The creation of this market can be traced to the Commonwealth’s enactment of RomneyCare in 2006. The reforms included merging the “non-group” risk pool, comprised of individuals, with the “small group” risk pool, comprised of small business with 50 or less employees (including the self-employed). This was intended to reduce premiums for those in the non-group market- which faced elevated costs due to a higher utilization on services – by spreading the risk over a larger population. The Chamber and many business groups were opposed at the time, fearing that rates would increase for small businesses. Vermont is the only other state where the individual and small group risk pools were merged into a single merged market.
While it is true that the merged market has led to premium reductions for individuals, it has also resulted in dramatic increases for small businesses and their employees. According to the Center for Insurance Information and Analysis, Massachusetts has amongst the highest small business health care premiums in the country. Unfortunately, this comes as no surprise to the Chamber or our members who have struggled with increasing premiums for years.
The Governor’s Merged Market Advisory Council is expected to make recommendations to the Baker Administration, which may include separating the merged groups as a way to reduce costs for small businesses. Some have argued that since passage of the national Affordable Care Act, the merged market is no longer necessary due to the incentives and subsidies provided to individuals.
The Advisory Council has scheduled a series of sessions where the public may share their input and concerns. The closest session to North Central Massachusetts is scheduled for Wednesday, February 26, 2020 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Room S-1-123 at UMass Medical Center, 55 Lake Avenue North in Worcester. The Chamber will be in attendance and encourages its members to participate and share any concerns they have as well. If you are unable to attend, please consider submitting written comments to the Merged Market Advisory Council via email at .
For more information, please feel free to contact Christopher McDermott, Public Affairs Manager at 978.353.7600 ext. 224 or via email at

El Good Morning North Central series is a high-profile, fast-paced and educational breakfast program geared towards executives, senior managers, professionals and business owners. Each of the programs has a business-oriented focus and features popular speakers to present on topics of interest to local businesses.
The featured speakers for the month of March are Carolyn Kirk, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative and Jim Hull, Owner and Managing Principal of the Hull Property Group.
Carolyn A. Kirk was selected by the Executive Committee of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative as the agency’s new executive director in February, 2019.
From January 2015 to early February 2019, she served as the Deputy Secretary of the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development (EOHED), a role she held since the beginning of the Baker-Polito Administration. As Deputy Secretary, Kirk supported the management of HED’s $1.4 billion dollar budget and approximately 1,000 employees. In addition, Kirk’s portfolio includes serving alongside Lt. Governor Karyn Polito on the Seaport Economic Council. She is extremely familiar with MassTech’s work, having chaired the agency’s Board on behalf of EOHED, and has been a leader on the effort to bring broadband to 44 unserved towns, working closely with the Massachusetts Broadband Institute at MassTech.
Prior to her appointment to the Administration, Kirk as the first woman popularly elected as Mayor of the City of Gloucester. Her professional career spans more than 25 years and includes time as a management consultant, working with clients that included many of the Top 20 banks in the U.S. along with Fortune 500 companies.
Jim Hull is the founder and managing principal of Hull Property Group- who recently acquired the Mall at Whitney Field in Leominster. He has led the acquisition, development and redevelopment in excess of 70 big-box retail, neighborhood and regional shopping centers, including the acquisition of 32 enclosed regional malls, many of which comprise the Company’s approximate 15 million plus square feet of owned retail portfolio located in 13 states.
Jim is a lifelong resident of Augusta, Georgia and is an active communicant of the Church of the Good Shepherd. He currently serves as the Chairman of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia. He is also on the boards of the Medical College of Georgia Foundation, Board of Visitors of Augusta University, AU Health System, State of Georgia’s REACH Scholarship Program, the Georgia Research Alliance, the Community Foundation of the CSRA, America’s Warrior Partnership and is the past Chair of the University System of Georgia Foundation.
He is a long-standing member of the United Way’s Alexis de Tocqueville Society and has been honored with the United Way’s Founders Award. Jim received the President’s Award from Augusta University, the Liberty Bell Award from the Augusta Bar Association and the Philanthropist of the Year Award from the Society of Fundraising Professionals. He is a Rotary Club Paul Harris Fellow, past president of the Augusta Assembly, and has been inducted in Junior Achievement’s Business Hall of Fame and Beta Gamma Sigma’s Honor Society. Jim is a recipient of an honorary doctor of humane letters degree from Augusta University.
The cost is just $25 for Chamber members/$40 non-members and includes a breakfast buffet. Pre-registration is required. To register please click here.

A mix of targeted digital media on Facebook and Instagram platforms are set in place to target key markets in Greater Boston, New Hampshire, New York and Connecticut.
For more information on North Central Massachusetts, please go to:
Georgia-Pa
You are invited to our job fair at the:
DoubleTree Hotel, 99 Erdman Way, Leominster, MA
THURSDAY, AUGUST 23
8:00 am – 5:00 pm
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SATURDAY, AUGUST 25
9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Interviews will be conducted on site both days and
immediate job offers will be extended to qualified candidates!
12-hour work schedule – 7:00 pm to 7:00 am
For full-time positions an average of 42 hours per week
Every other weekend is a long weekend off!
Pre-apply online before job fair at www.gp.com/careers:
Search by job number for full-time Packer – 056840 and for part-time Packer – 056844 We are an equal opportunity employer. Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran. Except where prohibited by state law, all offers of employment are conditioned upon successfully passing a drug test. This employer uses E-Verify.
The Annual Meeting of Leominster Credit Union was held recently at the Credit Union’s Executive and Operations Building in Leominster.
The President’s report presented the financial highlights for 2017. Total assets ending 2017 increased to $677 million from $643 million at the end of 2016. LCU is ranked as the 14th largest credit union in Massachusetts. LCU’s loan portfolio remains strong increasing from $440 million in 2016 to $488 million in 2017
Following the Annual Meeting, the Board of Directors met and elected officers for 2018-2019.
Michael J. Sauvageau, Chairman of the Board. Sauvageau has been on the Board since 2007. Sauvageau serves on LCU’s Executive Committee.
Richard A. Sheppard, Vice Chairman. Sheppard serves on the Executive, Audit, Investment and Compensation Committees. He has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2006.
Nancy L. Graves, Treasurer. Graves serves on the Executive, Credit, Investment, and Advisory Committees. She has served on the LCU Board of Directors since 2004.
Giulio G. Greco, Clerk. Greco has served as Chairman from 1994-1998 and again from 2008-2011. He currently serves on the Executive, Compensation, Credit and Advisory Committees. Greco has served on the Board since 1978.
Joining the officers on the 2018-2019 Board of Directors are, Amedeo E. Bilotta, Bruce J. Bollivar, Joyce G. Leger, Henry C. Kulik, Jr., Joyce A. LaFleur and Joseph V. Quintal. The Board of Directors is responsible for setting LCU policies.
Andrew D. Cousins retired from the Board this year. Cousins served as Treasurer and had been on the LCU Board since 2005. Andrew and his knowledge of our community was a wonderful asset to our Board and we thank him for his leadership. Nancy L. Graves was voted Treasurer following Cousins retirement. Nancy L. Dube will be joining the Board of Directors, filling the vacant seat. Nancy Dube is a dedicated Human Resource Consultant with over 30 years’ of experience. Her background includes work in retail management, direct sales, manufacturing, government, medical, high-tech, aerospace, non-profit and family business. Nancy’s knowledge and skills will add great value to the Leominster Credit Union Board of Directors.
Founded in 1954, Leominster Credit Union (LCU) is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative with a full range of deposit, lending and other financial services. Headquartered in Leominster, Massachusetts, LCU is proud to claim nearly 50,000 members and more than $700 million in assets. LCU has seven branch locations in Leominster, Clinton, Holden, North Leominster, Sterling and Worcester with ATM services at all branch locations. LCU also provides 24 hour banking via Mobile and Online services. Visit leominstercu.com or call 800-649-4646.
The North Central Career Center, The North Central Workforce Board, The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development and our partners cordially invite you to the local launch of
our new Workforce Development Brand – MassHire.
Please join us as we celebrate the new brand that will further create and sustain powerful connections between businesses and job seekers through
a unified and recognizable network of employment professionals.
Friday September 7th
1:00pm to 2:00pm
North Central Career Center
100 Erdman Way
Leominster, MA 01453
Please RSVP no later than Friday August 24th
to
Over the next few months, there will be local launches throughout the
Commonwealth. For a complete list of those
events, please email .
We hope you can join us to learn about our new name, our vision for the workforce system and our continued commitment to serve both
businesses and jobseekers in the Commonwealth.
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