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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Explaining “Bitcoin” and “Crypto Currency” can be very confusing. The new Leominster office of Bitcoin Ben Crypto Club Massachusetts is trying to help educate folks in the region what these topics are all about.
“We are educating people in the right direction of this revolutionary technology,” said business representative Edward Albert. After opening its first location in 2023, the Leominster office was the 3rd location when it opened in June of 2024.
“We want folks to join, share, learn and earn!” said Albert. He noted that the Crypto Club really doesn’t have any competition and “is the first of its kind in the world!” Albert added the most special part about doing business in North Central Massachusetts is “changing lives and providing opportunities for the community.” The office has already gotten involved in the community as a premier sponsor of this year’s Johnny Appleseed Festival. Albert considers the club an “economical hospital” and is looking for the chamber to expand its reach and assist more people. “We’re also a social club with ever changing events from music, open mic to poker..etc.,” said Albert.
The Club has its eye on growing and opening future clubs in most every state. According to it’s website, the Club was founded by “Bitcoin” Ben Semchee – a former truck driver and a cryptocurrency enthusiast, influencer, and entrepreneur who is bringing Bitcoin, Litecoin, and other cryptocurrencies into the mainstream.
After creating daily Facebook videos in his truck, he attracted the attention of the “average Jane and Joe” as well as other cryptocurrency organizations and influencers with his ability to explain complex cryptocurrency-related subjects while injecting humor and patriotism. Ben currently produces several live videos a day and can be seen on X, Youtube, Facebook, Rumble, NetFlix, Amazon Prime, Netflix, Roku, The X22 Report, WENG Radio, and more.
The Club located at the old Gariepy Furniture Building at 91 Central St. in Leominster offers day passes which provides access to video training, 15-minute one-on-one sessions with staff for general questions, use of the club library, a Bitcoin ATM and a Coffee Bar. According to the website, the Club is at its core “a Bitcoin and cryptocurrency education and freedom club! In person and online training is available to all members, learn secure ways to buy, sell, and store Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies!”
People can meet and network with other Bitcoin and cryptocurrency enthusiasts who love freedom and love making new friends and helping others! Check the social calendar often for meetups and more! For details, visit https://bitcoinbencryptoclubmass.com/.
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U.S. adults recognize the wide-sweeping impact of their local chamber, ACCE/Harris Poll survey finds
Results from a nationwide public opinion poll indicate chambers of commerce are vital to the prosperity of their communities. The Harris Poll survey, conducted on behalf of the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE), finds 81% of U.S. adults agree their local chamber of commerce is a trusted resource and partner for businesses. Around nine in 10 feel their local chamber has an impact on growing the local economy (90%) and addressing challenges within their community (88%).
“The poll’s findings assert the crucial role chambers of commerce play for businesses, economies and communities,” said Sheree Anne Kelly, ACCE president and CEO. “Chambers are trusted and innovative organizations. As a result, we are seeing tremendous momentum to bring even more bold leadership and lasting impact on the communities we serve.”
Key findings of the poll include:
Chambers are Trusted: 81% of U.S. adults agree their local chamber is a trusted resource and partner for businesses. 90% feel their local chamber has an impact on growing the local economy.
Chamber Membership Strengthens a Business’s Reputation: 64% of adults who are familiar with their local chamber are more likely to purchase goods and services from a business they know is a member of their local chamber. 63% of these adults are more likely to recommend that business to someone else.
Chambers Serve Businesses and Communities: 76% of U.S. adults agree local chambers are stewards of a strong local economy. 74% believe local chambers create jobs and promote local community development. 72% believe local chambers play a key role in addressing community challenges.
Business Owners See the Value: 65% of business owners see their local chamber as an advocate for initiatives and policies that are in the best interest of their business. 62% believe the chamber supports the growth and prosperity of their business.
People Want to Learn More About Their Local Chamber: 70% of U.S. adults wished they knew more about the work their local chamber does in the community. Specifically, they are most commonly interested in learning more about the type of impact local chambers have in their community (49%), more general information about chambers of commerce (43%), and which local businesses are members (42%).
“This survey data is proof positive that when a Chamber of Commerce is deeply rooted in its community, the results are extraordinary,” said Roy M. Nascimento, president and CEO, North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. “That’s exactly what we’re seeing across North Central Massachusetts, where our work has created positive impact across all 27 of our communities.”
To drive regional growth and prosperity, the Chamber developed Uno del norte central, a comprehensive economic development strategy providing actionable frameworks for education, workforce and real estate development, small business lending, and tourism marketing across the region.
“Uno del norte central catalyzed growth and opportunity in our region through innovative financing solutions, like the Regional Business Investment Fund and the North Central Massachusetts Land Bank, along with strategies to attract more visitors to our region—together creating a powerful engine for regional development,” added Nascimento.
This strategic focus on tourism is already showing impressive results. Recently published Massachusetts data revealed North Central’s tourism economy reached $469.9 million in direct visitor spending in 2023, representing a 19.7% increase since 2019. This thriving tourism sector now annually supports 4,300 local jobs and generates $117.3 million in direct earnings, while contributing $41.2 million in combined tax revenue ($8.2 million local and $33 million state).
The impact continues through the work of the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation, the Chamber’s economic development and lending arm. In the past year alone, the Corporation provided more than $1.1 million in small business loans and delivered 2,100 hours of technical assistance, helping dozens of local entrepreneurs launch and expand their businesses. It has loaned out more than $26 million since its inception in 1996.
The Chamber’s commitment to future growth also extends to workforce development through its educational initiatives. The organization awarded more than $50,000 in traditional and non-traditional scholarships to the Class of 2024. Additionally, its flagship Community Leadership Institute has equipped over 300 professionals with advanced leadership skills since its inception in 1989.
“As we address today’s challenges, we’re actively building tomorrow’s opportunities,” said Nascimento. “Through our scholarship programs and the Community Leadership Institute, we’re developing a pipeline of skilled professionals and engaged community leaders who will drive North Central Massachusetts toward an even stronger future.”
Methodology
This survey was conducted online within the United States between September 5-9, 2024 among 2,075 adults (aged 18 and over) including 141 respondents who are business owners (i.e., employed with a title of CEO, partner or owner) by The Harris Poll on behalf of the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) via its Harris On Demand omnibus product.
Data were weighted where necessary by age, gender, race/ethnicity, region, education, marital status, household size, household income, [employment], and political party affiliation, to bring them in line with their actual proportions in the population.
Respondents for this survey were selected from among those who have agreed to participate in our surveys. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval. For this study, the sample data is accurate to within + 2.5 percentage points using a 95% confidence level. This credible interval will be wider among subsets of the surveyed population of interest.
All sample surveys and polls, whether or not they use probability sampling, are subject to other multiple sources of error which are most often not possible to quantify or estimate, including, but not limited to coverage error, error associated with nonresponse, error associated with question wording and response options, and post-survey weighting and adjustments.
Additional insights can be found at acce.org/poll. Questions about the study may be directed to Jen Pruden (), communications manager, resources and benchmarking, at ACCE.
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As we approach the end of another remarkable year, I want to take a moment to reflect on our shared accomplishments and express my deepest gratitude to each of you who make North Central Massachusetts such a vibrant and dynamic business community. We continue to build upon our commitment to excellence in serving our region exemplified by our national recognition as a five-star accredited chamber and selection last year as National Chamber of the Year.
Throughout 2024, your unwavering support and active participation have been the driving force behind our Chamber’s success. Together, we’ve strengthened our regional economy, fostered meaningful connections, and created new opportunities for businesses of all sizes. Our dynamic monthly programming has brought together hundreds of professionals through diverse events – from strategic networking sessions to policy forums with government leaders and educational workshops – while our advocacy efforts successfully championed policies that support local business growth and development.
Our focus on strengthening key sectors and developing regional leadership has yielded significant results this year. We launched our Manufacturing Council and continued our successful electricity cost-savings program that benefits local manufacturers. We strengthened our healthcare sector engagement through our leadership in workforce development initiatives – including our regional jobs board, career fairs, and convening key stakeholders – while our shop local campaigns energized independent businesses throughout the region. Our Community Leadership Institute saw exceptional participation in this year’s class and underwent meaningful enhancements to further develop our region’s future leaders. The launch of our Regional Business Investment Fund has created new opportunities for growth, and our support for downtown revitalization and housing initiatives has helped strengthen several communities’ economic foundations.
Our affiliated organizations, including the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation, Visit North Central Massachusetts, the North Central Massachusetts Chamber Foundation, and our newest affiliate, the North Central Massachusetts Land Bank, Inc., have further amplified our reach. The impact of our collective efforts is evident in the numbers: we’ve welcomed 115 new members to our chamber family, provided over $1.1 million in small business loans, delivered more than 2,000 hours of technical assistance to local enterprises and helped create or retain hundreds of jobs. Together, we’ve also helped attract more than $496 million in visitor spending through our marketing efforts and provided over $50,000 in scholarships to support our region’s future leaders.
With more than 50,000 followers across our social media channels, significantly increased website traffic, and growing engagement on our podcast and other communication platforms, we’re providing more opportunities than ever to showcase our members’ successes and amplify their voices. This expanded reach reinforces North Central Massachusetts as a premier destination for business and innovation.
What makes these achievements truly special is that they represent more than just business success – they demonstrate the strength of our Chamber community and our shared commitment to making North Central Massachusetts an even better place to live, work, and do business. I’m particularly proud that our work has touched every single one of our 27 communities in North Central Massachusetts, creating positive impact throughout the region.
As we look ahead to 2025, I am filled with optimism about the opportunities before us. We have ambitious plans to expand our services, enhance our advocacy efforts, and advance our members and communities. I am bullish on our region, and with your continued engagement, we are well-positioned to capitalize on new opportunities for growth and innovation.
To our dedicated board members, committed volunteers, hardworking staff, and loyal members – thank you for being an integral part of our chamber community. Your trust in our organization and your investment in our region’s future continue to inspire us.
May this holiday season bring you joy, peace, and time with loved ones. Here’s to a prosperous and exciting 2025, filled with new achievements and strengthened partnerships.
Warm regards,
Roy M. Nascimento, CCE, IOM
President & CEO
Cámara de Comercio del Norte Central de Massachusetts
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El North Central Golf Tour: Viernes en la Cancha del Templewood Golf Course
31 de julio de 2026
Viernes en la Cancha en el Campo de Golf Templewood
31 de julio de 2026
Campo de Golf Templewood
El evento comienza a la 1:00 p.m. View
Event
Clínica de Golf Fore Then Pore, Juego de 9 Hoyos y Fiesta de Fin de Verano
21 de agosto de 2026
Clínica de Golf, Juego de 9 Hoyos y Gran Final de Verano
21 de agosto de 2026
The Woods of Westminster
Inicio del evento a la 1:00pm View
Event
Sponsors Reception: Old Mill
26 de agosto de 2026
¡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
Mass Center for Employee Ownership – Central MA Regional Symposium
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Glass Tower, 24th Floor, 446 Main St., Worcester, MA 01604
Resumen
If you are interested in exploring an employee ownership model for your business, at the symposium you will:
Learn about the MA Center for Employee Ownership (MassCEO).
Gain a basic understanding of some forms of employee ownership.
Understand benefits such as succession planning, pay equity, wealth building, etc.
Hear from employee-owned firms about their journey to employee ownership.
Learn about potential state and federal funding for adopting employee ownership.
Participate in a round-table discussion on employee ownership and interact with subject matter experts.
Lauren Howe, a breast cancer survivor from Leominster, announced a new program with Fitchburg-based business First Class Hair Design y Pawsitively 4 Pink, a local non-profit dedicated to supporting women on their journey with breast cancer to help patients feel their best during treatment and recovery.
The program, Feel Your BrEaST, offers up to five complimentary hair washes and blowouts, as well as free consultation on hair loss, during the treatment and recovery of breast cancer. In addition, First Class Hair Design will offer information on breast cancer awareness to clients. The program is supported by Pawsitively 4 Pink, which provides support before, during and after breast cancer treatment, emotional support dogs to help alleviate the stress, pain and anxiety, and financial assistance for low-income, underserved women diagnosed with breast cancer in Massachusetts.
“Just one year ago this month, I received the worst phone call of my life from my doctor telling me I had breast cancer,” said Howe. “Within a few days, I was at Mass General Hospital meeting with my team and underwent major surgery to aggressively treat my illness, which resulted in limited mobility of my arms.”
During Howe’s recovery, she shared the struggle of washing her hair with her stylist, Samantha Fairfax, owner of First Class Hair Design, located at 50 Whalon Street in Fitchburg. “I couldn’t lift my arms, and it hurt to lean over kitchen sink for my husband to wash my hair, so I asked Sam if she would be willing to have me come in every few days for a hair wash and blow-dry. Without hesitation, she said yes!”
“When Lauren first told me about her diagnosis, I wanted to do anything I could to help her and her family get through such a difficult time,” said Fairfax. “Following her surgeries, she asked if I would be willing to help wash her hair, and it was something I was honored to do. It not only helped her feel better about herself, but it also provided the opportunity for Lauren to have a little pampering in a calming environment where she could relax and not think about cancer.”
This experience, and with the generosity of Fairfax and the team at First Class Hair Design, prompted Howe to design the Feel Your BrEaST program as part of her community service project through the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce Community Leadership Institute (CLI), of which Howe is a member of the Class of 2025. CLI is a nine-month, community-based, hands-on learning experience for current and aspiring leaders in North Central Massachusetts.
“The Community Leadership Institute program is designed to provide professionals, like Lauren, the opportunity to identify a need in our community and find a solution,” said Roy M. Nascimento, president and CEO, North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. “While the program is being started here in North Central Massachusetts, we hope that other hair salons will participate to help breast cancer patients feel their best at salons across the Commonwealth.”
And the Feel Your BrEaST program was a perfect fit for Pawsitively 4 Pink.
“We are incredibly proud to support this new initiative led by Lauren, a breast cancer survivor whose strength and compassion continue to inspire us,” said Michelle Power, founder, Pawsitively 4 Pink. “This program not only provides free hair services to women in treatment—something that may seem small but carries tremendous emotional weight—it also restores a sense of dignity, confidence, and normalcy during an otherwise difficult time. Thanks to Lauren’s vision and the generosity of First Class Hair Design, this effort beautifully aligns with Pawsitively 4 Pink’s mission to ease the burdens our women face while they fight for their lives.”
First Class Hair Design is the first hair salon to participate in the Feel Your BrEaST program, and Pawsitively 4 Pink is looking for other hair salons in the region to join the effort. To learn more about the program and how to participate, visit https://pawsitively4pink.org/feel-your-breast/.
A study to determine the possibility of establishing a co-working facility is being conducted by Fitchburg State University. Your participation in this survey is truly valuable, as it will allow you to provide us with data and opinions about co-working spaces that we can then use in our planning. Your responses will be completely anonymous, but may be shared with other partners (various cities/towns, non-profit partners, and others) who may help move this idea forward. Thank you VERY MUCH for your time and thoughts!
We value the participation in this survey from anyone, regardless of your background and experience with co-working spaces. Whether you have utilized a co-working facility in the past or not, your input and thoughts are incredibly valuable.
The survey can be found here. Respondents who complete the survey by 5/5 will be entered into a drawing for one of two $25 Amazon gift cards
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.
Got a job you want featured? Click here to submit a job posting to our job board or email . This is a member benefit. Post jobs at no extra cost. No algorithms or budgets to manage!
