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
Partnership to Help Homeowners and Businesses Save on Energy Costs
The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the launch of a new online solar marketplace for the benefit of residents and businesses in North Central Massachusetts. The Chamber, in collaboration with EnergySage, Inc. and Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy (CICE) have launched this unique partnership to help residents and businesses in North Central Massachusetts take advantage of cost savings from installing solar energy.
Through this collaboration, local businesses and homeowners can use a free online tool on the Chamber’s website to examine options for putting solar panels on their commercial or residential buildings. With a few clicks, the EnergySage Solar Marketplace provides consumers with multiple quotes from high-quality installers in an easy to compare, “apples-to-apples” format — to ensure that they get the best deal possible. In addition to connecting with local installers, the online marketplace also helps simplify the complex solar process by providing educational tools and unbiased information that enables consumers to fully understand their options and to gauge the potential long-term costs and savings.
“We are excited to partner with EnergySage and Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy to help homeowners and businesses in North Central Massachusetts make informed energy decisions,” said Roy M. Nascimento, President & CEO of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. “This is a great one-stop shop for homeowners and businesses to navigate the complex maze of solar options and to find the best choice for their needs.”
Based in Boston, EnergySage is the “Kayak.com of Solar”, the only independent comparison-shopping website for solar energy systems and options in the country. Their unique, innovative platform provides unprecedented levels of choice, transparency, and information at no cost to consumers.
The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce has long been a leader on energy initiatives, promoting measures and initiatives that support and encourage a reliable and more affordable energy supply that keeps pace with the region’s growing population and economy, while protecting our environment. In addition to the new Solar Marketplace, the Chamber piloted a successful solar energy program that provides “net-metering credits” to local manufacturers to help reduce their cost of doing business and afford them the opportunity to enhance their ‘Green Business’ profile.
The Chamber has long advocated, to state and federal officials, in support of legislative and regulatory initiatives that help make state energy costs more competitive and ensure a diverse energy portfolio. The North Central Massachusetts Chamber also participates in CICE in an effort to share best practices and navigate and prosper in the clean energy and innovation spaces.
For more information or to access the Chamber’s new online solar marketplace, please visit energysage.com/p/north-central-ma-chamber/
Donna DiMarzio, Owner of Curves of Leominster, was recognized as the 2015-16 Ambassador of the Year by the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce at the Chamber’s 32nd Annual Business Meeting on June 16, 2016.
Chamber Ambassadors are volunteers who assist the Chamber with outreach to existing and new members, helping them get engaged in programs and events, as well as acting as the public relations arm of the Chamber.
Mrs. DiMarzio was recognized for her consistent, dedicated support of the Chamber as well as her passion for her community. Due to her strong efforts for her community, she has been appointed Ambassador of the Year for a second time, the first being in 2013.
“Donna DiMarzio has always been a pleasure to work with,” said Roy Nascimento, “She has been a great champion for the Chamber and community and we appreciate her support and commitment.”
As the owner of Curves of Leominster, her everyday goal is to help make women more healthy and confident with their bodies. She teaches Zumba classes and is constantly raisings funds for Breast Cancer research.
Donna’s outreach and involvement as a Chamber Ambassador is beneficial to both the Chamber and the Leominster Curves Franchise. Her mission to help make a healthier community makes her the perfect fit for this title. We thank Donna for her works and are excited to see what the future holds for her in both the Chamber and the Curves of Leominster.
Building Businesses. Building Communities.
At its May meeting, the Board of Directors of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce adopted a business plan designed to serve as a roadmap for the future success of the Chamber over the next two to three years. Roy Nascimento, President & CEO of the Chamber unveiled the new business plan on June 16, 2016 during the Chamber’s Annual Meeting to a packed house of business and community leaders.
“Our goal with the new business plan is to develop and implement strategies to take the Chamber into the future,” said Nascimento. “We are working hard to build a stronger, leaner, and more responsive business organization that meets the needs of our members and communities.”
The business plan was prepared as a result of the planning process by the Chamber staff with input provided by members of the Board. The plan, vision, and mission serve as a blueprint for the future success of the Chamber and its affiliate organizations as well as help drive programs, services and value the Chamber is creating for members.
The Chamber’s business plan is focused on promoting the region’s strengths, expanding existing businesses and business opportunities, and significantly improving the economic future for all who call North Central Massachusetts home. Recognizing the most universal and critical needs of its members and region, the business plan is focused around five key areas – Community Development; Economic Development; Government Affairs; Membership Advancement; and Organizational Sustainability. Other highlights of the business plan include the addition of a vision statement and core values that reflect the fundamental principles and beliefs that form the foundation for the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce.
Members can view an executive summary of the business plan that articulates the mission, vision, values and broad goals and objectives by visiting www.northcentralmass.com/businessplan. Programs and projects will be undertaken with care and consideration of actual resources of the Chamber and its members. The business plan is also a fluid document that the Chamber may need to change to reflect the changing world.
A special thanks to all those members who assisted with the development of the business plan, either by completing a membership survey, participating in a meeting, or providing input. Members are encouraged to contact Roy Nascimento, Chamber President & CEO at (978) 353-7600 or via email at with any questions or feedback on the business plan.
Join us Thursday Night for
Al Fresco Fitchburg
and an art raffle for work by
Iphigenia Gossios Burg
5-10 PM
Gallery Sitka
454 Main St.
Fitchburg, MA 01420
Join us Friday, July 28th for
Paint Night with Ylenia Mino
Purchase Tickets Here:
Tickets
7-9 PM
Gallery Sitka
454 Main St.
Fitchburg, MA 01420
SAVE THE DATE:
August 12
Saturday, August 12
2-4 PM
The Dirt Dawgs flex their muscles as they slug a franchise record seven home run to defeat the Seacoast Mavericks 17-3, Sunday night at Leary Field.
The Basics
Score: Wachusett Dirt Dawgs 17, Seacoast Mavericks 3
Records: Dirt Dawgs (20-15) | Mavericks (16-19)
How it Happened
Eddie Baram (Adelphi) got the start for Wachusett, going 6.0 innings with five strikeouts, but did not allow a base runner until the fifth inning. Sean Webster (SNHU) had himself a career day, going 3-for-6 with three homeruns and eight runs batted in.
Wachusett got the scoring started in the top of the third inning, as Webster launched a two run shot. The lead would quickly expand in the fifth inning as Dawgs went deep four times in the inning, as John Stanton (SNHU), Webster, Bradley Wood (Northern Ill) and Zack Tower (Franklin Pierce) all went yard.
In the sixth inning, Wood went deep for the second time in the game, as he hit a three run shot to push the lead to 12-0. In the home half of the inning, Sean Sullivan (Dartmouth) got the first hit for the Mavericks on the day, as he had a leadoff single to break up Baram’s perfect game.
Seacoast got on the board in the seventh inning, as Tyler Soloman (Vanderbilt) hit a two run shot with two outs in the frame. The Dirt Dawgs added five runs in the eighth, as it was capped off by Webster’s third long ball of the game with a grand slam.
Inside the Numbers
Up Next
The Dirt Dawgs return home tomorrow as they play host to the Nashua Silver Knights for Library Night at Doyle Field with first schedule for 6:35pm. Seacoast hits the road as they travel to Lynn, Mass. as they have a 7:00pm matchup with the North Shore Navigators.
A record setting seven Wachusett Dirt Dawgs players were recognized by Future Collegiate Baseball League office on Friday morning, as the league announced its 2017 League All-Stars for the 2017 All-Star Game at Muzzy Field in Bristol, Conn. Tuesday.
All seven Dirt Dawgs Andrew Bene (Shippensburg), Mike Demarest (Adephi), Jon Gegetskas (Westfield State), Jack Gethings (Fairfield), Eddie Santiago (Michell), Joe Simeone (UConn) and Zack Tower (Franklin Pierce) were named to the Western All-Star team as voted upon by the FCBL head coaches.
Bene has appeared in 17 games behind the plate for Wachusett. He maintains a .306 batting average, and is in the midst of a 10 game hitting streak, raising his batting average .194 points over that stretch. The catcher has two home runs and has driven in nine runs. On the defensive end, Bene leads the FCBL with 18 assists.
Demarest has been a major pair of the Wachusetts bullpen who has been lights out this season. In 16.2 innings pitched, the Adelphi Panther product has struck out 25 batters, to just six walks. After starting the season with 14.0 shutout innings, his ERA sits at a baffling 1.08.
Gegetskas has been one of the FCBL best pitcher’s this season, the southpaw has pitched in 5.0 innings in all of his appearances and allowed with less than five or more hits all but once. Gegetskas has gone 3-2 this season, with a 3.16 ERA and a team leading 36 strikeouts. 11 of those strikeouts came against the Seacoast Mavericks back on July 3rd.
Out of the leadoff spot, Gethings has been a consistent force for the Dirt Dawgs. He is currently tied for seventh in the Futures League with 37 base hits and a .339 batting average. Gethings also has three home runs, 21 runs batted in and 10 stolen bases. Against Team USA, Gethings went 2-for-3 with a walk in the exhibition for the FCBL prospect team.
Santiago has made the successful switch from the bullpen to the starting rotation for Wachusett. Since the change in late June, the Mitchell southpaw has lowered his ERA from 2.79 to 2.13. In 25.1 innings this season, Santiago has a 3-1 record with one save, and 23 strikeouts to just six hits. Over his last four outings, Eddie is 2-0 in 15.2 innings pitched , with 11 strikeouts to just four walks, and a 1.78 ERA.
Since joining the Dirt Dawgs in early June, Simeone has made an immediate impact in the back end of the bullpen. He has appeared in 10 games, with six save and two wins. His ERA is a baffling 0.79, while he has 23 strikeouts to just four walks and six hits. This past Tuesday, Simeone pitched a perfect sixth inning for the FCBL prospects as they took on Team USA.
Tower has been terrorizing opposing FCBL pitching staffs for the last four season. This season he is on pace for his best statistical season yet. He currently has a .330 batting average, and leads the team with 23 runs batted in, while he is tied for the Leagues lead with nine homeruns. In the Blast Motion Homerun Derby to decide the game, Tower has 23 homeruns in the two Dawgs win in those games.
Kyle Cala (Wagner) is on the ballot for the fan’s vote. Cala this season has been a major part of the Dirt Dawgs outfield. This season the to-be senior is batting .294 with three home runs and 18 runs batted in. Cala has seven multi-hit games, including a 3-for-5 effort against the Pittsfield Suns on July 2nd, where he hit two homeruns and drove in seven runs too.
Coach Dan Generalli earned the nod to coach the West Team on Tuesday as the West team takes on the East All-Stars. He is currently leading the Dawgs to one of their best seasons since their inception back in 2012, and first place seeding in the Western Division. The team is on pace for 31 win this season, breaking the old team record of 26 wins back in 2014. A pitcher by trade, he has lead one of the most potent offense in the FCBL this season. The Dawgs lead the league in both homeruns (41) and stolen bases (76).
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