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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We are reaching out to gather information about any artifacts, paintings, murals, or upcoming exhibits your museum possesses that highlight the Revolutionary War period. This information will be used to create a comprehensive list of historical assets, including your museum, which may potentially be incorporated into a digital map to enhance visitor experiences throughout the Massachusetts 250th anniversary celebration in 2025 and 2026.
By showcasing the breadth and depth of Massachusetts’ historical treasures, we aim to inspire visitors to explore the state’s rich revolutionary heritage. Your participation in this initiative is crucial to the success of the Massachusetts 250 commemoration.
We would greatly appreciate it if you could respond with a list of relevant artifacts, exhibits, or programs. To ensure maximum visibility during this anniversary, please consider uploading information about any Massachusetts 250-related events directly to their website.
Please feel free to contact Sheila Green at with any questions or to provide additional information.
Chamber of Commerce | Massachusetts 250 | American Revolution | Massachusetts | Massachusetts Business | New England Town | Historic New England, | Worcester County | Rural Economy | Chamber of Commerce near me | Historic Artifacts | Historical Treasures | Massachusetts History | Massachusetts 250 Anniversary
Nineteen of the area’s brightest, up-and-coming leaders were honored by the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce for completing the Chamber’s annual Community Leadership Institute (CLI) program. The Class of 2024 were recognized during the Chamber’s Annual Meeting held on June 20 at Great Wolf Lodge in Fitchburg.
CLI is a nine-month program focused on providing local, high-potential professionals who are nominated for participation to enhance individual leadership skills, obtain a stronger understanding of the region, and grow deeper connections to business and community leaders.
“The Chamber developed CLI to inspire a new generation of community leaders to enthusiastically assume important roles in their communities while motivating participants from diverse backgrounds to be influential in our region’s future,” said Roy M. Nascimento, president and CEO, North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce.
Mike Greenwood, Ph.D., professor of business at Fitchburg State University and chairperson of the CLI Steering Committee, was impressed by the caliber of this year’s class. “I am amazed with the dedication, creativity and motivation of our participants,” said Dr. Greenwood. “Programs like CLI are important to our community and help ensure a continuity of leadership, engagement and service as our region’s current leaders pass the baton to the next generation”
The program runs from October through June and includes an orientation and eight, day-long sessions on various topic areas, including Personal Leadership; Non-Profit Governance/Volunteerism; Media and Crisis Communications; Healthcare; Law and Justice; Arts and Culture; Legislation/Public Policy; Manufacturing; and Economic Development.
In addition, participants complete a community project with a goal of positively impacting the community while managing and executing the project before the end of the program year. This year’s class worked on five service projects to help teens, veterans, and immigrants.
One of the projects, “Tech for Teens,” consisted of a holiday gift drive for teens who are sometimes overlooked during holiday toy drives. The drive resulted in well over a hundred gifts to local teens, including computers, speakers, headphones, tablets, and hair tools. “Skillful Teens Building Strong Communities” was a three-part program hosted in collaboration with Mount Wachusett Community College. A group of teens received valuable training in life skills that are critical to future independence and success – including lessons on around-the-home maintenance, financial education and more.
A survey of the Class of 2024 revealed the program was a high value experience. When asked about their favorite part of the program, program participants indicated that site visits, community connections, leadership lessons, forming relationships with fellow classmates, learning more about the local community, and working on community projects were all highly valued components.
Graduates of the CLI Class of 2024 and their sponsors are as follows:
Jennifer Armentrout, Rollstone Bank & Trust
Maureen Babcock, North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce
Lindsay Carpenter Connors, Fitchburg State University
Erin Carr, AIS, Inc.
Aimee Cotnoir, Fitchburg Art Museum
Sonia Demelo, Bemis Associates
Jessica DeRoy, City of Gardner
Joeci Gilchrest, You Name It Creatives
Taylor Healey, Foster-Healey Real Estate
Ralph Hogan, Mount Wachusett Community College
Bob Jumper, Leominster Credit Union
Autumn Kelly, Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School
Ethan Lin-Schwartz, Burkart-Phelan, Inc.
Kat McLellan, Fitchburg State University
Patrick O’Connell, Enterprise Bank and Trust Company
Rosa Rivera, Workers’ Credit Union/UMass Memorial
Nathalie Rivera-Castro, Workers’ Credit Union
Gissaury Rodriquez, IC Federal Credit Union
Shawn Tolf, Fidelity Bank
To learn more about the Community Leadership Institute, please visit www.northcentralmass.com/CLI or contact Maureen Babcock at 978.353.7600, ext. 222 or for more information.
Fitchburg | Chamber of Commerce | North Central Massachusetts| Chamber of Commerce near me | Community Support | Community Leadership | Chamber of Commerce Member Benefits |Business Resources | Community Development | Personal Leadership
The North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation (NCMDC), the economic development arm of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, recently approved $70,000 in financing to Butler Machine and Prototype, located at 400 Matthews Street in Gardner. The funding will support the purchase of various pieces of equipment, tooling and working capital while also creating one job with two additional jobs planned within the next year. NewVue Communities of Fitchburg assisted with the development of the company’s business plan.
Founded by David Butler, Butler Machine and Prototype is a custom machine shop for small lots and prototype design for machine shops. A graduate of Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical High School, Butler earned a two-year apprenticeship certificate and has worked at various machine shops gaining professional and leadership experience over the past 30 years. Most recently, he worked for a machine company prototyping and fixturing for medical devices.
“With over 30 years of experience as a Class A Machinist and more than 15 years of experience as a tool and die maker in metal stamping and cold metal framing, I am excited to bring my years of knowledge and experience to my customers,” said Butler. “With the collaboration of the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation and NewVue Communities, I am able to do what I love to do while achieving the dream of entrepreneurship.”
Como entidad de microcréditos, NCMDC puede otorgar préstamos a pequeñas empresas de hasta $250,000 para capital de trabajo, bienes inmuebles, equipo, inventario y expansión, además de colaborar con nuestros socios bancarios para proporcionar financiamiento puente para la etapa final de un proyecto.
For more information about the NCMDC loan programs, please call 978.353.7607 or visit NorthCentralMass.com or ChooseNorthCentral.com.
Gardner | Chamber of Commerce | North Central Massachusetts| Chamber of Commerce near me | Economic Development | Community Support | Business Development | Community Support | Business Development | Business Loans | Business Technical Assistance | Small Business Loans | Small Business Technical Assistance | Business Development Corporation | Business Resources | Microloan Lender
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
Connect North Central
December 11, 2026
Join us for our last Connect North Central of the year!
Friday, December 11, 2026
8am-9am 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
Fitchburg State University is preparing to host a series of Spring Career Fairs to connect students with employers and opportunities in various fields. These career affairs offer a valuable chance to meet with hiring professionals, learn about job openings, and network with experts in various fields.
Health and Life Sciences Career Fair
Thursday, February 27 1-4 PM
Focuses on healthcare, biotech/life sciences, environmental science and public health industries.
Business and Technology Career Fair
Tuesday, March 25 1-4PM
Focuses on business, engineering technology, construction management, and IT/ technology fields.
Creative and Common Good Career Fair
Tuesday, April 1 1-4 PM
Focuses on communications, arts, education, criminal justice, government, human services and nonprofit fields.
For more information: Contact or Call: 978-665-3151
The Town of Pepperell Massachusetts announces a new tourism website, Discoverpepperell.com. This site, over a year in the development highlights the historical, cultural and recreational treasures in this central Massachusetts community just a short distance from Boston and neighboring New Hampshire.
In partnership with surrounding communities, Discoverpepperell.com is designed to showcase the area and invite visitors to learn more about experiences such as rail trail biking, fishing, hiking, exploring the vast walking trails including many historical sites, and unique specialty shopping and dining options.
The new site also offers visitors and residents a calendar of events, including the Pepperell 250ta Anniversary taking place throughout 2025, beginning in January.
DiscoverPepperell.com was developed using a local web designer and volunteers from the community providing detailed information and data from the many town Committees. The site also includes regional photographs and historical drawings from Mark Lotterhand and Mark Fountain, two talented residents of the town.
Kick off Super Bowl Sunday at the 44th Annual Big Game Brunch at sponsored by the Fitchburg East Rotary Club. This is a great opportunity to enjoy great food, have a great time, and support your community!
Event Details
Sunday, February 9, 2025
8:30am – 12:00pm
Montachusett Regional High School
1050 Westminster Street, Fitchburg, MA 01420
Admission: Adults – $18.00, Seniors & Students – $15.00, Children under 12 – $9.00
All proceeds go to Scholarships and Community Projects.
UPDATE: This event has been postponed due to inclement weather conditions. More details to follow. Hang on to your tickets!
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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