Holiday Message from the Chamber President
Dear Chamber Members, Partners, and Friends,
As we approach the end of another remarkable year, I want to take a moment to reflect on our shared accomplishments and express my deepest gratitude to each of you who make North Central Massachusetts such a vibrant and dynamic business community. We continue to build upon our commitment to excellence in serving our region exemplified by our national recognition as a five-star accredited chamber and selection last year as National Chamber of the Year.
Throughout 2024, your unwavering support and active participation have been the driving force behind our Chamber’s success. Together, we’ve strengthened our regional economy, fostered meaningful connections, and created new opportunities for businesses of all sizes. Our dynamic monthly programming has brought together hundreds of professionals through diverse events – from strategic networking sessions to policy forums with government leaders and educational workshops – while our advocacy efforts successfully championed policies that support local business growth and development.
Our focus on strengthening key sectors and developing regional leadership has yielded significant results this year. We launched our Manufacturing Council and continued our successful electricity cost-savings program that benefits local manufacturers. We strengthened our healthcare sector engagement through our leadership in workforce development initiatives – including our regional jobs board, career fairs, and convening key stakeholders – while our shop local campaigns energized independent businesses throughout the region. Our Community Leadership Institute saw exceptional participation in this year’s class and underwent meaningful enhancements to further develop our region’s future leaders. The launch of our Regional Business Investment Fund has created new opportunities for growth, and our support for downtown revitalization and housing initiatives has helped strengthen several communities’ economic foundations.
Our affiliated organizations, including the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation, Visit North Central Massachusetts, the North Central Massachusetts Chamber Foundation, and our newest affiliate, the North Central Massachusetts Land Bank, Inc., have further amplified our reach. The impact of our collective efforts is evident in the numbers: we’ve welcomed 115 new members to our chamber family, provided over $1.1 million in small business loans, delivered more than 2,000 hours of technical assistance to local enterprises and helped create or retain hundreds of jobs. Together, we’ve also helped attract more than $496 million in visitor spending through our marketing efforts and provided over $50,000 in scholarships to support our region’s future leaders.
With more than 50,000 followers across our social media channels, significantly increased website traffic, and growing engagement on our podcast and other communication platforms, we’re providing more opportunities than ever to showcase our members’ successes and amplify their voices. This expanded reach reinforces North Central Massachusetts as a premier destination for business and innovation.
What makes these achievements truly special is that they represent more than just business success – they demonstrate the strength of our Chamber community and our shared commitment to making North Central Massachusetts an even better place to live, work, and do business. I’m particularly proud that our work has touched every single one of our 27 communities in North Central Massachusetts, creating positive impact throughout the region.
As we look ahead to 2025, I am filled with optimism about the opportunities before us. We have ambitious plans to expand our services, enhance our advocacy efforts, and advance our members and communities. I am bullish on our region, and with your continued engagement, we are well-positioned to capitalize on new opportunities for growth and innovation.
To our dedicated board members, committed volunteers, hardworking staff, and loyal members – thank you for being an integral part of our chamber community. Your trust in our organization and your investment in our region’s future continue to inspire us.
May this holiday season bring you joy, peace, and time with loved ones. Here’s to a prosperous and exciting 2025, filled with new achievements and strengthened partnerships.
Warm regards,
Roy M. Nascimento, CCE, IOM
President & CEO
North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce
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