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.
June 2026
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The Massachusetts Department of Revenue will now oversee the process for claiming a certificate. As of January 1, 2019, the process will be completed online through the Department’s MassTaxConnect. Here are some of the highlights that will be important to qualifying small businesses:
As of January 1, 2019, small businesses will apply online for an exemption certificate through the MassTaxConnect application rather than submitting a paper Form ST-13 to their energy provider
Current (2018) exemptions were automatically extended for small businesses through March 31, 2019
Small businesses must apply for a 2019/2020 exemption certificate by March 31, 2019
Exemptions granted in 2019, and after, will be effective for up to two calendar years
DOR will send renewal reminders prior to the exemption certificate’s expiration date in 2020
For additional information, including a link to the draft regulation, businesses may refer to the Department’s small business energy exemption page which we will continue to update as information is available.
On July 26, 2018, St. 2018 c. 154, § 68, was enacted into law, amending the EMAC Supplement statute, to require that the Director of the Department of Unemployment Assistance, in consultation with the Secretary of Administration and Finance develop a hardship waiver process for a employers experiencing financial hardship due to liability for the EMAC Supplement.
For a hardship to be approved an employer must fill out the application and include sufficient supporting documentation justifying need. After review, a determination without appeal rights will be issued to the employer. A hardship waiver is temporary and related to a specific quarter. Hardship waiver requests must be received during the first two weeks of the filing period. Employers who receive a waiver will be required to timely file and pay any additional contributions or the waiver will be reversed and the total amount (including interest) will be payable.
In December, Clinton’s Board of Selectmen took a historic step and voted to narrow the divide between residential and commercial tax rates by four percent. This brought the business community’s share of the Town’s property tax burden to 154 percent of the residential levy. Massachusetts allows two models for property taxes: single and dual rates. The single rate means that both residential and commercial properties are taxed at the same level. Meanwhile, a dual rate system dictates that one group – businesses- shoulders more of the burden and pays a higher share of taxes based on a property’s assessed value.
A single rate tax system has come to be recognized as a key indicator that a community is open for business, and the Selectmen acknowledged this at their annual tax classification hearing. Through a spirited and sometimes contentious discussion, the Board’s majority pointed out that the Town needed to do everything within its power to attract and promote growth. If Selectmen hoped to reduce the tax share carried by voters, the only responsible method would be to attract new commercial investment. Doing so would raise the value of the community’s vacant or underutilized commercial properties and further disperse the annual levy- lowering average tax bills in the process. Though they acknowledged that taxes were not the only factor that could impact a business owner’s decisions, they recognized that others- such as demographic shifts and economic trends- existed well beyond their immediate influence. Voting to continue moving towards a single rate, however, stood out as a clear step they could take that night.
The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce was present at the meeting and testified to the importance of reducing this shift and moving towards a more balanced tax system that encourages business development. In particular, the Chamber spoke to the impact felt by the types of small businesses which make Clinton unique. “Though some would argue that business owners can afford a higher levy,” stated Chamber President Roy Nascimento in his testimony, “these taxes can prove a serious hardship to the local businesses which typify Main Street.” He went on to argue that it placed an additional hurdle before investors who might otherwise take interest in the community.
Ultimately, the Selectmen voted 4-1 in favor of reducing the burden on commercial property owners. The actual impact for a commercial or industrial taxpayer will vary based on factors such as the assessed value of the property, but overall most commercial and industrial taxpayers will benefit by seeing a small decrease in their tax bill compared to the prior year. With the reduced 154% shift that the Town adopted, the average commercial property valued at $266,486 will be taxed at $8 less than the previous year. Alternatively, if the Select Board had voted to maintain the 158% shift from the previous year, the owner of that property would have seen an increase of approximately $186. At the maximum shift of 175%, the commercial/industrial rate would have jumped to $32.04 per thousand dollars and the taxes on the average commercial property would have risen by approximately $1,000. The Chamber would like to thank Selectmen Dziokonski, Connolly, Kerrigan, and Iacobucci for supporting this historic and balanced action.
¡Gracias a todos nuestros patrocinadores que ayudaron a patrocinar este pasado año del programa 2025-2026! ¡Nos sentimos verdaderamente honrados por su continuo apoyo y sus esfuerzos para que nuestra comunidad siga prosperando! View
Event
Join us for Connect North Central
Friday, November 20, 2026
8am-9am View
Event
Joint Mayor's Meeting
December 4, 2026
Chamber members are provided with the opportunity to engage with the Mayors of Fitchburg, Gardner, and Leominster who provide updates on projects and other things happening in their Cities. These events are by invitation only, please contact Travis Condon for more details. View
Event
Future Leaders of North Central: Annual Holiday Party & Ugly Sweater Competition
December 8, 2026
Bull Run Restaurant
215 Great Rd. Shirly, MA View
Event
Chamber members are provided with the opportunity to engage with the Mayors of Fitchburg, Gardner, and Leominster who provide updates on projects and other things happening in their Cities. These events are by invitation only, please contact Travis Condon for more details. View
Event
Public Speaking is the number one fear in America. Let’s make you one less person to fear talking about something you’re passionate about.
Learn the tips and tools to become apowerpresenter.
In this 4 hour workshop, you will learn to incorporate your presentation purpose, your passion for the topic, and your presence, to leave a lasting impression on your audience.
Whether you are looking to develop your public speaking skills or just get better at delivering information, this is the workshop for you.
Sat. May 12, 2108 9am-1pm (complimentary refreshments will be available)
Please feel free to bring your lunch.
Please bring an (up to) 10 minute talk (if you have one) that you are looking to perfect. It can be personal or business related. Dress comfortably, come with your notebook and ready to learn.
$60 per person
Maria Milagros Mailing List Insiders will receive a $10 off coupon code in the weekly video email. If you havent already you can join her list by going to her website at www.mariamilagros.net and clicking on the purple toolbar at the top of any page.
(FYI: This is the last time that the Power Presenter class is going to be at this rate. After this it will go up to $99 per person.)
WE WILL ROCK YOU takes place in a future age on a planet once called Earth that is now controlled by a mighty corporation … rock music is unheard and all musical instruments are banned. The hope of breaking free rests with an unlikely resistance – an alliance of rebel Bohemians. The show features many of Queen’s chart topping hits including “We Will Rock You,” “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “Radio Gaga,” “Another One Bites the Dust,” “We are the Champions,” and more. It’s the world champion of musicals and the show that rocks harder than any other, so don’t miss the party!
Director – David Allen Prescott
Music Director – David Twiss
Choreographer – Kim Corbett
CAST REQUIREMENTS – large cast of 30 – 40 adults and teens
WHERE AND WHEN
Where? Mount Wachusett Community College, room 182
When? Monday, May 21 and Tuesday, May 22 at 7PM
No appointment needed – punctuality will be noted and appreciated
Performance Dates: August 10, 11, 17, 18 at 8:00pm; August 19 at 2:00pm
Tentative Rehearsal Schedule: Sundays from 6PM to 9PM; Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7PM to 10PM
WHAT TO EXPECT
For the auditions all should:
Prepare a short pop/rock vocal selection that displays range and ability preferably from the show (score will be available). Sheet music required if you decide to do a song not from the show. An accompanist will be provided.
Wear comfortable clothing for a movement/dance audition.
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS
GALILEO (Male) A misfit who keeps hearing strange voices and songs in his head which deliver messages he can’t understand. Galileo won’t dress like a Ga Ga kid and has been caught trying to make music. He is confused and unaware that he is the one the Bohemians have been waiting for, who will lead them to the place where the last remaining live instruments have lain hidden for hundreds of years.
SCARAMOUCHE (Female) Another misfit who also gets into trouble with the Secret Police, Scaramouche meets Galileo in hospital and they run away together. Her sharp wit keeps Galileo on his toes and gradually they fall for each other.
KILLER QUEEN (Female) Killer Queen is a ruthless businesswoman and is in charge of Global Soft, the worldwide corporation which is responsible for the suppression of all live music. She’s power crazy and tough, as well as beautiful.
KHASHOGGI (Male) He works for Killer Queen, getting rid of any original or creative musical thoughts and going after the Bohemians. His victims are sent to the Seven Seas of Rhye.
SECRET POLICE (Male and/or Female) These semi-automated characters carry out the bidding of the Killer Queen and Khashoggi.
GA GA KIDS/TEEN QUEENS (Male and Female) Living in a world of consumerism and downloadable music, the Ga Ga kids don’t notice their own soulless-ness.
BUDDY (Male) Buddy is an old librarian and a hippy who has studied the sacred musical texts to the extent that even the Seven Seas of Rhye cannot entirely erase them from his mind. He’s a comic character who acts as a foil to Galileo and Scaramouche towards the end of the play.
THE BOHEMIANS (Male and Female) A group of rebels, determined to fight against Global Soft and its downloadable music. Their base is Tottenham Court Road Tube station, and they have taken the names of musical heroes from the past, such as Paul McCartney, Cliff Richard, and Britney.
BRIT (Male) and OZ (Female) Two of the Bohemians who are intent on discovering the secrets of live music, and who believe that someone will come who will show the Bohemians the way. When they find Scaramouche and Galileo they are unsure at first, but are eventually persuaded that Galileo really does have strange musical lyrics in his head over which he has no control. When the Secret Police attack the Bohemian hide out, Brit is killed and Oz is captured along with the other Bohemians.
SUPER YUPPIES (Male and Female)
TEACHER (Female)
DOCTORS (Male and Female)
For more information contact Professor Gail Steele at 978 630-9162 or at
Use your creative skills to decorate a cupcake inspired by your favorite book, graphic novel, or comic. We’ll provide the cupcakes, icing & toppings, and you provide the creativity. You may bring props or “special edible” toppings to create your masterpiece. Prizes will be given out by ‘Special Guest’ judges at the end of the night!
Supported by the Friends of the Fitchburg Public Library.
Free, dinner will be served, and open only to teens aged 13-18.
Location: Fitchburg Public Library, 610 Main Street. Because the library will be closed during this event, teens should arrive and leave by the Youth Library doors on Newton Place.
Miembro Destacado
Custom Cleaning Service of Peabody
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.
From Chamber events and ribbon cuttings to community celebrations and regional highlights, stay connected with what’s happening across North Central Massachusetts. Follow us on social media for the latest photos, updates, and stories.
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.
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