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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Founded as Nmdesignz in 2011 and rebranded to Attollo Creative in 2024, this Fitchburg-based business is a marketing firm that specializes in Logo design, brand design, websites, signage, photography, videography and social media management, serving a wide range from industries from Non-Profit to Manufacturing.
Leader Nicole Murphy proudly notes “We are the most creative group you will ever work with. If you need something “out of the box” designed for your business, we are the people to call.” She adds “We are focused on quality, not quantity. Our company is small because we focus on providing a top-notch product as opposed to churning out work.”
Nicole loves doing business in North Central Massachusetts because “You get to see your designs in the field every day. If we lettered a truck, we see it drive by, if we designed a logo, we see it in an advertisement, its great seeing our designs help other businesses grow.” “I especially like doing business with local people,” she added when explaining why she likes being a member of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce.
Attollo also proudly supports the community. “We are involved with Non-profits within the NCM area,” adds Nicole, “including the United Way of North Central MA, The Community Foundation of North Central MA and North Star Community Services.”
Attollo Creative shares an office space with one of its beloved clients in Fitchburg. Nicole feels “changing our name from Nmdesignz to Attollo Creative was their biggest professional achievement.” She feels the future is bright for Attollo. “We will continue to grow and provide quality pieces of work that clients love,” she said. “We will be known as the “go to” for any design work in the North Central Massachusetts area.”
Nicole credits her father as her strongest influence in business, “being a business owner himself for over 35 years!” “Also, many of my clients are a strong influence on me,” she adds, “I admire their dedication and passion to their business.”
As a marketing agency, Nicole doesn’t rely on traditional advertising to promote her business. She says the secret of their success is “Word of mouth and the dedication to providing the best possible product.”
Contact information: ; 978.430.1244
North Central Massachusetts | Central Massachusetts | Massachusetts | Chamber of Commerce | North Central Massachusetts Chamber | Community Support | Business Networking | Massachusetts Business | Business Spotlight
The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce is partnering with multiple regional organizations to host the Work North Central Career and Hiring Event scheduled for Wednesday, October 9, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Mount Wachusett Community College, 444 Green Street, Gardner, MA 01440. The event is open to the public and free for job seekers and students. The organizations involved include Fitchburg State University, the MassHire North Central Massachusetts Career Center, MassHire North Central Massachusetts Workforce Investment Board, MassAbility, and Mount Wachusett Community College.
The event will connect students and job seekers with local employers of all sizes and industries to discuss employment and career opportunities available in the region. Employers from diverse industries will be discussing career and employment opportunities for all levels of skill and backgrounds, including entry level, and professional and technical positions in such industries as education, financial services, government, healthcare, hospitality, non-profit, manufacturing and other industries.
In addition, to our main exhibit hall of businesses, the event will also offer various career and training resources available to students and job seekers. Complimentary head shots, campus tours and other informational sessions will be available to all attendees. Other valuable sessions include, resume building do’s and don’ts, interviewing tip and tricks, how to pitch yourself and how to effectively navigate LinkedIn to boost your career. Special sessions planned during this hiring event includes a panel presentation hosted by our Young Professionals of North Central Massachusetts. This panel of successful young professionals will discuss topics such as finding the balance of work and family, best ways to search for a job, dressing for the right job, why networking is important and more. We will also be hosting a high-level overview session of top industries in the region, such as manufacturing, healthcare, and human services.
Students from local high schools will be attending, including Fitchburg High School, Goodrich Academy and Nashoba Tech High School.
“As a leader in helping North Central Massachusetts compete for talent and advance the region’s economic prosperity, we realize there is a critical need to help our local businesses find qualified and skilled talent in order to grow and succeed,” said Roy M. Nascimento, President & CEO, North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. “This event is aimed at creating economic opportunity, and a strong and diversified workforce for our employers, while providing local students and job seekers the opportunity to meet with a number of employers in one location.”
The Work North Central Career and Hiring Event is an outgrowth of the North Central Massachusetts Talent Compact, a coalition convened by the Chamber and other major stakeholders to address the complex talent and workforce challenges facing the region. The group consists of a group of prominent business, education, workforce and community leaders who are committed to collective action and leadership. The event also complements the Chamber’s WorkNorthCentral.com Jobs Board, which serves as an online resource to connect job seekers and local employers while also improving the talent pipeline and better connect employers to local schools.
Adult job seekers, high school graduates, college students in the community, retired individuals interested in returning to the workforce or anyone interested in learning about full and part-time employment opportunities or training resources in North Central Massachusetts are invited to attend to connect with participating employers and training providers. Pre-registration is not required, walk-ins are welcome.
Free parking for job seekers and attendees is available at Mount Wachusett Community College. Public transportation is also available via the Montachusett Regional Transit Authority (MART) for anyone who may require it. Check MART’s website for more information, www.mrta.us.
For more information on the Work North Central Career and Hiring Event, please visit www.northcenralmass.com. Employers interested in participating and reserving a table at the Work North Central Career & Hiring Event should contact Valerie Bruno at 978.353.7600, ext. 235, to inquire about availability.
North Central Massachusetts | Central Massachusetts | Massachusetts | Job Seeker | Chamber of Commerce | North Central Massachusetts Chamber | Community Support | Business Networking | Local Networking Events | Workforce Development | Hiring Event
Celebración reconoce a pionero estadounidense, héroe popular de Massachusetts nacido en Leominster
Sabbra Reyes, Subgerente del Centro de Visitantes Johnny Appleseed, y Diane Burnette, Gerente del Centro de Visitantes Johnny Appleseed, se unen a dos alpacas y al personal de Plain View Farm, Hubbardston, Massachusetts.
Funcionarios estatales y locales, y líderes comunitarios, empresariales y turísticos se unieron a miembros de la Cámara de Comercio del Norte Central de Massachusetts y Visita el centro-norte de Massachusetts para conmemorar el 250º cumpleaños de John Chapman (conocido como “Johnny Appleseed”), nacido en la ciudad de Leominster el 26 de septiembre de 1774.
Si bien Appleseed nació y creció en Leominster, es considerado el héroe popular oficial de la Commonwealth y un pionero ecologista. Viajó durante casi 50 años por todo el país plantando estratégicamente semillas de manzano con la vista puesta en un futuro mercado para los cultivos, y vendió o a menudo regaló semillas y plántulas a los colonos en las comunidades.
Mark Bodanza, historiador local y autor de “Johnny Appleseed – el hombre detrás del folklore”, habló durante el evento sobre la historia de Johnny Appleseed y su significado no solo en la región, sino también en todo el mundo.
“Johnny Appleseed podría ser una de las figuras más enigmáticas de la historia estadounidense”, dijo Bodanza. “Personas cercanas y lejanas de su lugar de nacimiento en Leominster conocen su viaje. Esas expediciones no solo incluyeron la siembra de plántulas de manzano para los pioneros, sino también la difusión de sus creencias religiosas y su estilo de vida minimalista. Johnny Appleseed, uno de los personajes más insólitos de Estados Unidos, nos habla hoy con su legado como un suave recordatorio de tomarnos las cosas con calma, consumir solo lo necesario y mantenernos firmes en las creencias personales a pesar de la opinión popular”.”
El evento se llevó a cabo en el Centro de Visitantes Johnny Appleseedque es considerada por muchos la puerta de entrada al centro norte de Massachusetts y la última parada antes de entrar en Leominster, el pueblo natal de Appleseed.
Entre los asistentes al evento de hoy se encontraban la representante estatal Natalie Higgins; la representante estatal Meg Kilcoyne; y Jonathan Gulliver, del Departamento de Transporte de Massachusetts. Miembros de la Banda de Marcha de la Escuela Secundaria de Leominster interpretaron clásicos estadounidenses, y hubo una aparición especial de “Johnny Appleseed”, quien interactuó con los asistentes y disfrutó de una rebanada de pastel de cumpleaños.
Durante la celebración de hoy, se plantó un nuevo manzano en el centro para conmemorar el 250.º cumpleaños de Appleseed.
Miembros de la Banda de Marcha de Leominster High School
“Mientras todos tenemos la imagen de Johnny Appleseed usando un sombrero de olla de sopa con una bolsa en la espalda esparciendo semillas de manzana por el campo, también fue un exitoso hombre de negocios que ayudó a florecer a muchas comunidades nuevas”, dijo Roy M. Nascimento, presidente y director ejecutivo de Visit North Central Massachusetts y la Cámara de Comercio de North Central Massachusetts. “Hoy celebramos su nacimiento plantando un manzano para que los visitantes de nuestra región disfruten y recuerden su legado de apoyar a los pioneros y plantar semillas para proporcionar alimentos nutritivos para las generaciones”.”
El Centro de Visitantes Johnny Appleseed, operado por la Johnny Appleseed Trail Association (que opera como Visit North Central Massachusetts), está lejos de ser un típico área de descanso. Este destino único exhibe el legado de Johnny Appleseed y la rica herencia agrícola e industrial del centro de Massachusetts a través de una colección curada de objetos históricos, arte local y exhibiciones atractivas.
En la entrada, los visitantes son recibidos por una popular escultura de bronce del joven Johnny Appleseed, obra del artista local Peter Cote. Los terrenos del centro cuentan con 91 manzanos, incluyendo tres manzanos Rambo que son descendientes directos del último árbol conocido plantado por el propio Appleseed. Una réplica de una casa de la época colonial, representativa de los aposentos de Appleseed, añade contexto histórico. Los terrenos también presumen de bancos artísticos, incluyendo una silla de telesilla inspirada en Johnny Appleseed, donada por Wachusett Ski Area y convertida en una zona de asientos única, y otro banco de madera tallada a mano, creado por un escultor de madera local y representativo del orgullo del patrimonio en la industria del mueble.
En el interior, el centro expone artesanías locales, murales de temporada, objetos históricos de toda la región y recuerdos de la época de Johnny Appleseed. Una popular tienda de regalos vende artículos locales, incluyendo mermeladas, jaleas, dulces, productos relacionados con las manzanas y una variedad de libros sobre Johnny Appleseed y la historia de la región.
Quizás lo más llamativo sea la “Manzana Grande de Nueva Inglaterra”, la estructura de manzana más grande de su tipo en la región, que se ha convertido en un lugar favorito para los visitantes que se toman selfies.
El Centro de Visitantes Johnny Appleseed abre los siete días de la semana, 361 días al año, de 9:00 a. m. a 5:00 p. m. Solo cierra los días de Acción de Gracias, Navidad, Pascua, Día de la Independencia y temprano en la víspera de Navidad.
Norte de Massachusetts Central | Massachusetts Central | Massachusetts | Cámara de Comercio | Liderazgo Comunitario | Apoyo Comunitario | Eventos de Networking Locales | Pueblo Pequeño | Calidad de Vida | Negocios de Massachusetts | Cámara Cercana | Centro de Visitantes de Massachusetts
¡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
Join the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts for Ignite & Elevate: The Women’s Fund Annual Celebration — an empowering evening of connection, inspiration, and impact!
Enjoy complimentary appetizers, a cash bar of wine and beer, and meaningful conversations. Bring a friend or mentor a young woman — together, let’s elevate each other and ignite change in North Central Massachusetts!
Have you heard about the North Central MA Women’s Fund yet? It’s the first and ONLY endowed fund in North Central specifically to support women and girls in our community.
Founded by the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts in 2023, we are working to create a permanent source of support for the projects delivering the most impact to the women and girls in the 33 towns across our footprint.
Here’s a crazy stat: Worldwide, less than 2% of annual charitable giving goes to women and girls programming. LESS THAN 2%. And in North Central Mass, that number is even lower.
So, spend the evening with us, engaging with other women just like you who truly care about making that statistic a thing of the past. We invite you to not only attend this event, but invite your network of powerful women, and consider bringing along the next generation!
Let’s gather, ignite, and elevate the women of North Central Mass, today and forever.
The Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts awarded nearly $140,000 to support 14 community health projects to benefit the Nashoba Valley region.
The Foundation has also allocated grants totaling over $10,000 to Fitchburg State University and Mount Wachusett Community College. These funds will facilitate scholarships for students from the Nashoba Valley region pursuing studies in direct-care provider programs, ensuring a brighter future for individuals and the community.
The purpose of the Nashoba Valley Community Heath grant program is to advance the community health of residents in twelve communities: Ashby, Ayer, Bolton, Devens, Groton, Harvard, Lancaster, Littleton, Lunenburg, Pepperell, Shirley, and Townsend. This year’s grantees achieve this objective in various ways, including improving access to healthcare services and supporting behavioral health.
The Ayer Fire Department will use the funds to purchase a third LUCAS device, a mechanical chest compression system that helps healthcare providers perform CPR on patients in cardiac arrest. The device will be placed in service on the department’s primary fire engine. The engine responds to all medical calls when both ambulances are out on calls. The need for this third device arose because of the closure of the Nashoba Valley Medical Center last August.
With this funding, The CASA Project’s Shine the Light program will provide abused and neglected youth (ages 0-17) removed from their homes because of parental issues related to substance use and mental health problems, with equitable access to the behavioral health care support needed to overcome mental health barriers and thrive.
“Through the Nashoba Valley Community Health Grants, we are investing in organizations that are making a meaningful impact by expanding access to care, addressing health disparities, and promoting overall community wellness, said CFNCM President Stephen J. Adams.
Organization Name
Program Name
Award Amount
Advocates, Inc.
Ensuring access to mental health and substance use services for older adults in Nashoba Valley.
$10,000.00
Ashby Free Public Library
Ashby Harvest Health Initiative
$5,000.00
Ayer Fire Department
LUCAS 3.1 Chest Compression System
$20,000.00
Boys & Girls Club of Lunenburg
GROW SMART
$10,000.00
CARE CENTRAL VNA & HOSPICE, INC.
Access to Wellness Nursing for Elderly At- Risk Populations
$10,000.00
Girls on the Run Worcester County, Inc.
Girls on the Run Worcester County Youth Development Program
$10,000.00
Joe Andruzzi Foundation
JAF’s Assistance Programs for Nashoba Valley Cancer Patients and Their Family Members
$10,000.00
MAB Community Services, Inc.
MABVI Vision Rehabilitation Services for Nashoba Valley Older Adults with Visual Disabilities
$5,000.00
Making Opportunity Count
Elder Nutrition Services
$10,000.00
Rise Above Foundation
Positive Childhood Experiences for Youth in Foster Care
$5,000.00
Robert F Kennedy Community Alliance
RFK Community Alliance Behavioral Health Services in Nashoba Valley
$5,000.00
Spanish American Center, Inc.
Domestic Violence Community-based Support Services (Nashoba Valley Region)
$14,431.00
The CASA Project
Shine the Light Program: Improving Behavioral Health Supports for Children in Foster Care
Pictured: Nancy Beach of the Lunenburg Community Food Pantry accepts a donation of Bombas socks for local residents in need.
United Way of North Central Massachusetts (UWNCM) recently distributed 2,000 pairs of Bombas socks to 13 local food pantries, helping individuals and families in need stay
warm this winter.
The socks, valued at $24,000, were generously shared by the Montachusett Veterans Outreach Center, which received 10,000 pairs from Bombas and provided 2,000 to UWNCM. Volunteers from LUK’s Youth Programming helped sort them, ensuring each pantry received approximately 145 pairs.
Bombas, a mission-driven apparel brand, donates one item for every item purchased and has given over 100 million essentials to those in need. Their donated socks are designed for individuals facing hardship, featuring darker colors for longevity, anti-microbial treatment to extend wearability between washes, and a comfortable fit.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Montachusett Veterans Outreach Center for sharing these much-needed socks,” said Judy Tomlinson, UWNCM Director of Community Impact. “Winter can be especially tough for those facing financial hardship, and something as simple as a new pair of socks can make a big difference. It’s like a little hug for your feet.”
Nancy Beach of the Lunenburg Community Food Pantry echoed this sentiment.
“For many of us, socks are just an everyday item, but for those facing hardship, they are a source of warmth, comfort, and dignity. At the Food Pantry, something as simple as a clean, dry pair of socks can make a world of difference—protecting against the cold, preventing health issues, and offering a small but meaningful reminder that someone cares,” Beach said. “Thanks to the efforts of UWNCM and Bombas, we are able to provide this essential item, ensuring that those in need have not just food, but also basic necessities that bring comfort and hope.”
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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