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
Wachusett Mountain kicked off their Fall festival season with four of their biggest festivals, Farm Fresh Fest, Kidsfest, BBQfest and Applefest. We were able to exhibit at three of the major events, Kidsfest, BBQfest and Applefest in these past few weeks. While attendees spent their weekends enjoying the sights, sounds, beauty and pageantry of these events, we were able to tap into those joyous feelings and passed on wealth of information on the regional attractions that are featured in North Central Mass. All three festivals were the perfect way for families to spend quality time together all while supporting our local small business vendors and learning about the region’s ideal areas to visit with their families.
The 26ta Annual Kidsfest was the getaway that all kids dream about. It was two full days of music, food, and family fun. Live shows, walk-around entertainment, magic shows, clowns, and Mount Wachusett’s scenic summit SkyRide were at the epicenter of this eventful weekend. Parents got to enjoy great food and product sampling by our local small business vendors.
The 7ta Annual BBQfest featured some of the area’s best BBQ vendors. Highlights of this year’s event include the Oysterfest, which featured oysters on the half shell, clam chowder and shrimp, along with an oyster shucking competition. The People’s Choice Awards featured Chili on Saturday and Pulled Pork on Sunday. Then the ever-famous Farmers’ Market and Craft Fair (including more than 75 vendors), and Beer Tent were present throughout the weekend. Dozens of small business vendors were in attendance and gained great notoriety from the public.
The 33rd Annual Applefest, one of the region’s most popular festivals, featured over 75 Craft Fair & Farmers’ Market Booths, family entertainment, scenic foliage skyrides to the Summit, mountainside barbecue, pony rides, clowns, wall climbing, jugglers and magicians for the kids. Applefest also featured an Oktoberfest Celebration complete with authentic German cuisine, a multitude of tasty beers in the Beer Garden and live music and entertainment.
Hundreds of families living outside our region are now looking forward to what North Central has to offer from here on out. Attendees left these weekend events, happy, tired, full and in many cases excited to seek out new places of adventure and fun here in North Central Massachusetts.
The North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation (NCMDC) has recently granted two small business loans totaling $41,600 to Fight or Flight Tattoo in Fitchburg and Looking Glass located in Leominster. 
NCMDC granted a loan to Fight or Flight Tattoo for $25,000. Fight or Flight is a tattoo and piercing parlor located at 206 Summer Street in Fitchburg. This loan was in partnership with TD Bank and the funds will be used to assist with the purchase of the commercial property that Flight or Flight Tattoo has leased since opening ten years ago. Owner Andy Sansone originally opened The Ink Shop tattoo parlor on Lunenburg St. in 2006 and moved to the current location in 2007 when he changed the name to Fight or Flight Tattoo. This loan helped to retain four jobs. For more information visit www.fightorflighttattoo.com.

“Helping strengthen small businesses and entrepreneurs stimulates job creation and is critical to North Central’s economic growth,” said Raymond J. Martino, President of Simonds International and Chairman of the Board of the NCMDC. “The North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation is providing much needed capital and technical assistance to help our local businesses grow and thrive in the region.”
As a microloan lender, NCMDC can provide loans to small businesses up to $75,000 for working capital, equipment, inventory, expansion and working with our banking partners provide gap financing for the final piece of a project.
The North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation (NCMDC) is a non-profit corporation with the mission of creating jobs and improving the economy of North Central Massachusetts. NCMDC is certified by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and the U.S. Department of the Treasury under the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Program. The NCMDC works in partnership with local banks, credit unions, chambers of commerce and area nonprofits to support emerging microenterprises, small businesses, and community projects with loans and business assistance. Since 1996, the NCMDC has granted over $4,200,000 in loans to small businesses to help grow jobs and the economy in 26 communities in the North Central Massachusetts region.
For more information about the NCMDC and its loan programs, call 978.353.7607.
With the largest concentration of manufacturers in Massachusetts, North Central is no stranger to the importance of careers in advanced manufacturing. Throughout October, manufacturing awareness will spread across the nation. The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce and Development Corporation will host several events highlighting the value in careers in manufacturing.
“Workforce development is the cornerstone to a thriving economy and manufacturing accounts for one in four jobs in North Central,” said Roy Nascimento, president and CEO of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. “Educating students, parents, educators, and our elected officials is important to ensuring employers and jobs remain in Massachusetts.”
This October will be highlighted by the Business After Hours at the Fitchburg Art Museum on October 6ta, Tour with the Boys and Girls Club of Fitchburg and Leominster at NYPRO, a Jabil Company, on October 12ta, Ribbon Cutting at Coleman Assembly on October 14ta, and a Legislative Briefing and Press Conference at DataGuide Cable on October 18ta.
“As an employer in North Central, it’s very important that we have a steady pipeline of skilled employees”, said John Witkowski, General Manager of NYPRO, a Jabil Company, with locations in Clinton and Devens which produces medical devices. “Manufacturing has changed a lot over the last few decades, and we need to break the existing stigmas that these are ‘dirty’ jobs.”
The Chamber has actively partnered with its Manufacturing Roundtable and Mount Wachusett Community College in promoting careers in manufacturing. Mount Wachusett has developed a number of workforce training and degree programs to help address manufacturing workforce shortage issues.
Stay tuned throughout the month of October for more information on these events. For more information contact Maria McCaffrey at .
With their backs against the wall, the Worcester Bravehearts pick up the win in game one, but the Dirt Dawgs make a statement in game two with a 8-1 decisive win, Thursday night at Historic Doyle Field.
The Basics
Records: Wachusett Dirt Dawgs (28-22) | Worcester Bravehearts (23-28)
How it Happened
Game One: Bravehearts 6, Dirt Dawgs 3
Mike Demarest (Adephi) pitched two perfect inning in relief for the Dawgs, with three strikeouts. Mike Coggeshall (Assumption) led the pack with a 3 for 4 performance at the plate with a three RBI performance, including a three run shot in the fifth.
Worcester got the scoring started in the top of the third inning, as Rafael Bournigal (Florida State) scored on a Greg Kocinski (Marist College) single. Kocinski struck again in the top of the fifth as he hit a two run shot to right field.
Coggeshall tied the game in the bottom of the fifth with a three run shot to left field. The game would remained tied until the top of the eighth, as the Bravehearts hit two homeruns to give them the three run advantage.
Game 2: Dirt Dawgs 8, Bravehearts 1
The Dirt Dawgs got on the board in the second inning, as Jake Byrne (Assumption) hit a two run homerun over the left field fence. The lead was extended in the fourth inning, as Jack Gethings (Fairfield) hit a solo shot to left field, making it 4-0.
Zack Tower (Franklin Pierce) hit his 18th homerun of the season in the bottom of the fifth inning, extending the Wachusett lead to 6-0. Tower pushed the lead to 8-0 with a two RBI single to left field in the bottom of the sixth.
Inside the Numbers
Up Next
Wachusett hits the road as they travel to Pittsfield, Mass to take on the Suns, starting at 7:00pm.
HOLIDAY SPECIALS
Book your Holiday Party at
Devens Common Center
by October 1, 2017 & receive
your choice of the following:
20,000 Marriott Rewards Points
-OR-
2 Hand-Passed Hors D’oeuvres
-OR-
$2 Off Price Per Person
We also offer discounted rates for
hotel accommodations at adjacent
SpringHill Suites by Marriott.
Dates are booking up fast!
Call us today!
978-772-0188
31 Andrews Parkway, Devens MA 01434

30 overnight rooms*
OR meeting room w/ $3,000 minimum spend
Meet both requirements & double the points!
20,000 Bonus Points
20 overnight rooms*
OR meeting room w/ $2,000 minimum spend
Meet both requirements & double the points!
10,000 Bonus Points
10 overnight rooms*
OR meeting room w/ $1,500 minimum spend
Meet both requirements & double the points!
*Overnight rooms will be calculated on a cumulative
basis, i.e. 10 rooms for 2 nights = 20 rooms.
Offer is valid for NEW bookings
between August 1st & December 31st, 2017.
Rewarding Events Promotion
Contact Our Sales Office Today!
978-772-0188
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