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
Not Yet A Member? Join the Chamber
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 North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce is partnering with the Federal Reserve to conduct a Small Business Credit Survey for both pre-start and existing businesses, and we’d like to ask you to participate. We think it is an important survey because your answers will inform service providers and policymakers about real-time business conditions. This short survey will take approximately 9 minutes and will ask about business conditions, financing needs, and credit experiences. Summary results will be shared with you. Responses are confidential and will help to improve programs and services for current and potential small business owners.
Please click the link below to complete the survey. Thank you for participating.
The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce will be holding an aggressive New Member Campaign on September 27 and 28, 2016. This new member campaign will include reaching out to over 3,000 businesses in the region that are not yet benefiting from Chamber membership. The campaign will include a mailed invitation and personal phone calls from business leaders in the region encouraging them to join the Chamber.
Doug Petersen, President & CEO of Workers’ Credit Union and Immediate Past Chair of the Chamber’s Board of Directors will chair this special campaign. In addition, nearly 60 business leaders have volunteered to help recruit new members to the Chamber by sharing information about their positive experiences and the many benefits of Chamber membership.
“The Chamber is an important element in the fabric of the community and has a tremendous impact supporting the local business community,” said Doug Petersen, Chairman of the 2016 New Member Campaign. “This is a great opportunity to tell our story and give the Chamber’s financial and membership efforts a solid boost.”
The Chamber provides numerous services for members, including networking and professional development, free and low cost marketing, health and dental insurance, as well as government affairs and economic development programs to encourage a positive business climate for the region.
In addition, the Chamber’s New Member Campaign will feature several “join now” incentives for businesses and organizations that enroll with the Chamber, including free advertising, web site listings, admission to Chamber networking programs and more.
Highlighting the campaign will be a two-day, three-session phone-a-thon at the Chamber’s offices on September 27 and 28. Volunteers will be competing for bragging rights as the top recruiter and some great prizes including overnight trips, gift certificates to restaurants and stores, and much more.
The Chamber’s New Member Campaign is sponsored by Heat Trace Products. Supporting sponsors include S.J. Mullaney Engineering, Inc.; Mercadante & Mercadante, P.C., CPAs; and HealthAlliance Hospital. In addition, media sponsors for the Campaign include the Sentinel & Enterprise; Leominster Champion; Worcester Business Journal; WPKZ 105.3 FM, Worcester Telegram & Gazette; AdviCoach; and FATV.
Businesses interested in joining the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce should contact should contact Jeff Ardis, Manager of Member Services and Business Development at (978) 353-7600, x234 or via email at . Or download and print our Why Join Now Flyer and mail it to Jeff Ardis 860 South Street, Fitchburg, Ma 01420.
The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that Great Wolf Lodge and Shriver Job Corps will be the featured presenters at the next “A Chance to Meet the Buyer” program. This quarterly Chamber program provides small businesses the chance to connect with purchasing managers from larger companies or organizations. This installment of the quarterly series will be held on Tuesday, October 4th, 2016 from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., at the Chamber offices, 860 South Street, Fitchburg, MA. A Chance to Meet the Buyer is sponsored by the Lexvest Group, developers of Phoenix Park in Shirley, MA and Pepperell Place in Pepperell, MA.
The program provides an opportunity for large businesses in our region to showcase best practices of their purchasing agents while offering suppliers a rare opportunity to connect with those large highly sought after corporations in our region. Each quarter, purchasing managers from two larger organizations provide brief backgrounds of their organization, requirements for supply qualification, methods and procedures of purchasing, and what opportunities there may be for smaller businesses. Attendees are then afforded the opportunity to directly network with presenters and leave with key direct contact information for procurement personnel from presenting organizations.
Shriver Job Corps is a no-cost education and career technical training program administered by the U.S. Department of Labor that helps young people ages 16 through 24 improve the quality of their lives through career technical and academic training. As it is federally funded, Shriver Job Corps is required to do business with local, minority and women owned businesses. Shriver seeks vendors in various industries and trades to support its 24 hours/7 days a week facility located in Devens, MA.
Great Wolf Lodge opened in 2014 after a massive renovation which updated more than 400 overnight rooms and added 35,000 sq. ft. to the indoor waterpark. The resort houses five restaurants, Scoops kid spa, their own confectionary, arcade and much, much more. With 100,000 families staying at the Lodge over the course of a year, Great Wolf Lodge is often doing updates and recruiting trade services like landscaping, plowing, and plumbing among other services and products.
The cost to attend is $20 for Chamber members/$40 non-members. For more information or to register, please contact the Chamber at 978-353-7600 ext. 235 or visit www.northcentralmass.com
¡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
Despite connecting on 12 hits, the Dirt Dawgs fall to the Martha’s Vineyard Sharks 11-6 in Future’s Collegiate Baseball League action, Wednesday night.
Benjamin Lodge (UMass Dartmouth) came out of the Dirt Dawgs bullpen, pitching 3.0 inning, allowing just one run while striking out nine batters.
The Sharks got on the board in the bottom of the third inning, as Jack Zagaja (New Haven) launched a leadoff homerun. The Dirt Dawgs tied the game in the top of the fourth as Joe Jumonville (Northern Ill) singled home Jake Byrne (Assumption) from second.
Martha’s Vineyard regained the lead in the home half of the fourth, as the Sharks struck for five runs in the inning. The Dawgs followed up with a big inning of their own, as Byrne hit a three run shot, to bring the game within one run.
The hosting Sharks struck twice in the sixth, as Philip Clarke (Vanderbilt) sent the 1-1 offering over the fence to expanded the lead to 8-4.
After the Dirt Dawgs cut into the lead with Jack Gethings (Fairfield) scoring on an error, Martha’s Vineyard added three runs in the frame. Wachusett would add one more run in the top of the ninth, but the lead was too much to overcome.
Inside the Numbers
The Wachusett pitching staff combined to strikeout 16 Sharks on the night.
Martha’s Vineyard combined to hit three homeruns.
Up Next
The Dirt Dawgs wrap up their road trip on Friday as they travel up to Lynn, as they have a matchup against the North Shore Navigators, with first pitch scheduled for 7:00pm.
Women and Minority Business Owners are invited to attend a meeting with Bonnie J Mahoney, Manager of Grants & Communications for Montachusett Regional Transit Authority regarding MART Department of Transportation Funded Projects for the period from 2018 – 2020
DATE: Wednesday August 2, 2017
TIME: 2:00 p.m.
WHERE: NewVue Communities 470 Main Street Fitchburg
CONTACT: Ray Belanger, Director of Small Business – NewVue Communities to register
For more information about the projects that will be
The North Central Career Centers are partnering on a job fair with the Montachusett Suicide Prevention Taskforce to coincide with the 5ta Annual Ride of Your Life event – SUNDAY, AUGUST 20, 2017 at Monty Tech Regional School, 1050 Westminster Street, Fitchburg, MA.
9:00AM-3:30PM (Ride of your Life hours)
9:30AM-12:00PM (Job Fair hours) Rain or Shine!
Experts have long known that there is a link between unemployment and poor health. A job fair connects the unemployed and underemployed with opportunities that can be crucial to a person’s health and financial stability. This year’s Ride of Your Life motorcycle ride will include a job fair, a walk, health & wellness information, vendor booths, a BBQ lunch & live music. There will also be door prizes, auctions, health clinics and information about the Task Force and suicide prevention initiatives.
This event attracts hundreds of people from the surrounding communities. We encourage your organization to be a part of the Ride of Your Life job fair- participation in the job fair is free for employers. Please register in advance by contacting Scott Percifull at 978-534-1481, X209 or via email at
For more information about becoming a sponsor for the Ride please visit www.heywood.orgwww.suicidepreventiontaskforce.org or call Barbara Nealon, Director of Social Service & Multicultural Services for Heywood Hospital, at 978-630-6386. Event proceeds will support a variety of suicide prevention initiatives.
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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