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
Chamber of Commerce | North Central Massachusetts | North Central Massachusetts Chamber | Massachusetts Education System | Massachusetts Education Investments | Massachusetts Community Investments | Annual Scholars Breakfast
A Meet & Greet was held to foster the connections of our chamber’s businesses within our Sterling area. The attendees included Bill Caldwell the town administration of Sterling; our hosts, Matthew Kooyomjian and Mary Elizabeth Tinervin from MEM Dance Theatre; Robert Jumper and JoLisa Chouinard from LCU; Melissa Gallo, Carol Ann Gjeltema, and Josh Halterman Owner/Interior Designer from Joshua Allen Design (the spotlight company for today); Heidi Bogner from The Organized Duck; and our own Manager of Membership Recruitment and Engagement, Tracy Gagnon. It was nice to have some fun in a relaxing atmosphere with coffee and donuts on hand.
Josh from Joshua Allen Design gave an engaging presentation about 5 of the current design trends for interior design, as many of us fantasized what our new spaces could look like. We learned that:
It was great to learn that:
After the presentation we learned what was upcoming at the Chamber. I’ve already signed up for several things, but there is still plenty of time to get your name in to attend several more events this month and next month. Don’t forget to attend the Kickball Tournament fundraiser on the 17th; the new member orientation on June 6th; and Steve Gross from Life is Good speaking at the NCMCC 39th Annual Business Meeting and Expo on June 15th!
Submitted by: Heidi Duck, Founder of The Organized Duck
Chamber of Commerce | North Central Massachusetts | North Central Massachusetts Chamber | Local Networking Events | Meet & Greet
In a partnership with the Massachusetts Office of Business Development (MOBD), MassDevelopment, and Mass Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC), the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce will be hosting state economic development officials for one-on-one appointments with local developers, manufacturers and business owners. The meetings are an opportunity to discuss any specific matters related to their business or the expansion of their business, as well as to review state resources available to support business growth and expansion.
Kevin Kuros, Central Massachusetts Director for MOBD; Rob Anderson, Vice President of MassDevelopment; and Chuck Merrill, Senior Loan Officer for MGCC will be available at the Chamber office by appointment on Wednesday, June 7 between 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The appointments are in thirty minute increments and are first come, first serve. The meetings are free and confidential, available on a non-discriminatory basis, and are handicapped accessible.
MOBD helps businesses relocating to Massachusetts and businesses wishing to expand their current operations here. MOBD is responsible for managing the state’s Economic Development Incentive Program (EDIP) which provides tax credits for qualifying business expansion projects. In addition, they provide information on other state economic development programs, including the state’s R&D tax credit, the Mass Life Science Center tax incentives, the Workforce Training Fund grant program, the STEP grant offered through the Mass Office of International Trade and Investment and other state resources.
MassDevelopment, the state’s development finance agency and land bank, works with businesses, nonprofits, banks, and communities to stimulate economic growth across the Commonwealth. During FY2022, MassDevelopment financed or managed 356 projects generating investment of more than $1.69 billion in the Massachusetts economy. These projects are estimated to create or support 11,080 jobs and build or preserve 1,778 housing units.
MGCC was established to help small businesses create and preserve jobs by providing access to working capital, loan guarantees, and targeted technical assistance that solves specific financial and operational problems. MGCC works with traditional financial institutions to turn “un-bankable” businesses bankable, Community Development Centers and non-profits to provide financing for job-producing projects, and directly with businesses to find the growth capital they require. MGCC seeks to assist small businesses in Gateway Cities as well as woman-owned, Veteran-owned, or minority-owned businesses.”
For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact Sandie Cataldo, Senior Economic Development Manager at the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce at (978) 353-7600 ext. 232 or via email at .
Fitchburg, MA | Chamber of Commerce | North Central Massachusetts | North Central Massachusetts Chamber | Massachusetts Business | Economic Development | Massachusetts Business | Massachusetts Office of Business Development (MOBD) | MassDevelopment | Mass Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC)
The reception features an open bar and gourmet appetizers.
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Join us for Connect North Central
Friday, September 25, 2026
8am-9am
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North Central Golf Tour Championship: Fore the Future
An FLNC Non-Traditional Scholarship Fundraiser
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Thank you Series Supporting Sponsor empHowered PR
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Join us for our 11th Annual
Congressional Luncheon
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Wednesday October 28, 2026
5:00pm - 7:00pm
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Join us for this in person HR Legal Update
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November 19, 2026
7:15am - 9:00am
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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.
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Bull Run Restaurant
215 Great Rd. Shirly, MA
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Join us for our last Connect North Central of the year!
Friday, December 11, 2026
8am-9am
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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.
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Date: December 7, 2023Own Your Story – The most powerful things we have are the stories we tell ourselves about who we are, what that means, and what we’re capable and deserving of. That story informs all of our decisions, our actions, our interactions, and our relationships. In this talk Maria shares relatable pieces of her own story to connect to attendees and she shares relevant tools to help others shift their stories to align with a more positive mindset that will create healthier dynamics within themselves first. When we are able to do that, we cultivate healthier dynamics within every area of our lives- personal, business, and otherwise.
About Maria Milagros
Maria Milagros (Vazquez) is an award winning keynote speaker, award nominated author, 2x TEDx speaker, storyteller, personal growth & development expert, empowerment life coach, and love activist. Whether sharing her life experiences and knowledge through impactful talks, workshops, leadership training, life coaching or videos, Maria uses stories to bring encouragement, education, and love to empower others to get out of their way and break free from hindering thoughts or beliefs, so that they can live amazing lives and leave their unique and positive mark on the world. She is passionate about living with intention, creating spaces of love, joy and fun, connecting with others, overall health, and empowerment.
A survivor of abuse, depression, and a childhood accident that should’ve left her immobile, Maria embraces her past to create a present of health, happiness, fun, love, and abundance. She believes that she is able to thrive in life not in spite of, but because of, every aspect of her story. She knows that no matter where you come from, what you’ve been through, or what you have done, a healthy mindset shift, rooting into love, and taking personal responsibility, can change every area of your life, as it has for her.
With over 15 years of leadership and personal development education in her pocket, Maria leaves audiences with relevant tools and shifted mindsets that last well after she steps off the stage. Her authentic congruence, infectious energy, and ability to teach from a relatable and positive perspective leave attendees feeling like they had a fun and deep conversation with a trusted friend.
When not speaking or coaching, Maria can usually be found making memories with her incredible daughter, meditating, dancing in public places, leading group fitness classes, reading, or watching a Marvel movie.
To inquire about her speaking availability, one-on-one coaching, or book “Super Sparkly Everything”, or to sign up to get the free weekly email, please visit her website at www.mariamilagros.net.
Parking is in the back of City Hall
8:30 AM | Registration
9:05 AM | State of the State, Ayn Yeagle, LFW Steering Committee Member & Executive Director, Growing Places, Leominster
9:20 AM | Local Food System Panel
Focus: The importance of agriculture and local food in North Central MAvand how each sector contributes to the local economy
Mike Pineo, Farmer, Pineo Family Farms, Sterling
Erica Bosse, Farmer, Flicker Hill Homestead, Gardner
Roy Nascimento, President & CEO, North Central MA Chamber of Commerce, Fitchburg
Steve Adams, President & CEO, Community Foundation of North Central MA, Fitchburg
Chris Hendry, President & CEO, IC Federal Credit Union, Fitchburg
10:10 AM | Anchor Institution Local Purchasing, Ruben Dario Taborda, CEO, Automation & Validation Solutions, Pennsylvania
Focus: Why and how to break down barriers to local procurement
10:40 AM | Group Activity: Building Bridges by Breaking Barriers
11:10 AM | Food System Affinity Tables and Tangible Asks
11:30 AM | Closing Remarks by, Ayn Yeagle, LFW Steering Committee Member & Executive Director, Growing Places, Leominster
This event is hosted by Local Food Works, a network of farmers, nonprofits, businesses, and residents seeking to build a more equitable, sustainable, and accessible local food system in North Central MA. We’re working to make healthy, local food accessible to all by providing training and support to help local farms scale up; creating a food hub to aggregate, store, and distribute food in the region; and strengthening coordination and communications among all sectors of the NCMA food system.
The City of Fitchburg Health Department invites the public to attend the annual Community Health Resource to be held on Thursday, October 19, 2023 from 4pm – 7pm in O’Neill Hall at the Fitchburg Senior Center, 14 Wallace Ave, Fitchburg.
According to Sue Christensen, Outreach & Prevention Coordinator, “In recognizing the social determinates of health, the annual Resource Fair is an opportunity for residents to visit over 70 different information tables representing a wide variety of local services.” The topics include housing, shelter, elder services, medical care, youth services, mental health, substance use disorder, veterans as well as cultural offerings. Many city departments will be participating including Health, Parks & Recreation, Police, Library, Schools, and others. Fitchburg Commissions representing include Disability and Human Rights. Representatives from the offices of State Senator John Cronin, State Representative Michael Kushmerek and District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. will also be on hand to meet with residents.
Director of Public Health Stephen D. Curry is looking forward to the event, stating that the annual Community Resource Fair “provides an opportunity for members of the community to learn about a variety of local services available – all in one place.”
The Fitchburg Health Department will be offering free flu shots and blood pressure readings. As an affiliate of the Commonwealth Naloxone Purchasing Program, the Health Department will provide Narcan training and distribution.
A free raffle will be held at the event, with many participating organizations donating items. Refreshments will be available for purchase.
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
