Rollstone Bank & Trust, through its Charitable Foundation, has pledged $15,000 to the Montachusett Veterans Outreach Center (MVOC) in Gardner, a nonprofit organization that supports military veterans and their families in need of services. The donation will help support MVOC’s housing expansion project in Winchendon, which will provide 44 new apartments for veterans.
“RBT has a long history of supporting organizations who fight against housing insecurity in our area,” said Martin F. Connors, Jr., President & CEO of Rollstone Bank & Trust. “Those who served our country should never have to worry about having a roof over their heads. Rollstone is proud to help MVOC in their efforts to improve the lives of our nation’s heroes.”
MVOC helps over 700 veterans annually. In addition to housing, services include mental health support, veterans benefits, food and clothing assistance, and more.
“MVOC is grateful for the strong relationship we have with Rollstone Bank, who has been a supporter of our efforts for many years,” said Stephanie Marchetti, Executive Director of MVOC. “This donation will help ensure that our housing expansion project gets pushed over the finish line- that we’ll be able to not just construct the property, but furnish apartments for veterans who may come with nothing.”
Pictured left to right: Cathy Stallings McWilliams, President and MVOC Founder; Stephanie Marchetti, Executive Director of MVOC; Martin F. Connors, Jr., President & CEO of Rollstone Bank & Trust.
About Rollstone Bank & Trust
At Rollstone Bank & Trust, we deliver personalized service that goes above & beyond. Our dedication to providing our customers with superior bank and wealth management solutions, along with the support they need to prosper at work and at home, has enabled us to build one of the most trusted banks in the region. With branches located throughout central Massachusetts, customers have peace of mind knowing we are FDIC & DIF insured, and never far from home. Rollstone Bank & Trust – it’s where you matter most.
Nearly $900,000 in Funding Supports Organizations Across Central Massachusetts Region
The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts announced it has awarded eight grants totaling $890,455 through its Activation Fund program to support a wide range of organizations serving the region.
The Activation Fund supports organizations in building capacity in sustainable ways as they work to address community-identified health issues. More than 85% of the 2024 Activation Fund grantees had not previously received funding from The Health Foundation.
“We received a record number of applications this year, and our application process was refined and streamlined to be more responsive to the needs of community organizations seeking our support,” said Dr. Amie Shei, President and CEO of The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts. “We are excited to partner with seven organizations receiving grants for the first time as well as one returning grantee in support of their varied projects aimed to help them move to the next level of capacity or effectiveness in improving health in the region.”
The grant awards are as follows:
African Community Education – $125,000 to renovate and better equip the kitchen at its Worcester facility, expanding the organization’s capacity to serve culturally appropriate meals for youth, offer nutrition classes, and provide space for newly arriving Haitian families to prepare meals.
Center of Hope Foundation – $125,000 to modernize bathrooms and plumbing systems in a Southbridge facility housing its day habilitation program, which serves nearly 120 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Children’s Advocacy Center of Franklin County and North Quabbin – $86,900 for construction costs associated with establishing an outpatient clinic in Orange, thereby expanding its capacity to provide specialized mental health services for child victims of sexual abuse and their families in the North Quabbin region.
Choices Inc. – $80,250 to purchase a 15-passenger van, equipment and supplies for the organization’s Early Diversion Worcester program, a comprehensive system of care that diverts, intervenes and disrupts the school-to-prison pipeline in collaboration with community partners.
Gardner Community Action Committee – $115,000 to renovate and relocate to a 5,800-square-foot facility made available rent-free by the City of Gardner, significantly enhancing the organization’s capacity to provide food distribution, emergency assistance and other services for those in need throughout the Greater Gardner community.
Growing Places – $109,041 for development of a customized IT solution integrating disparate platforms and new software for inventory management to enhance efficiency, expand service capacity and better support local food consumers, institutional buyers and small farmers in North Central Massachusetts.
Quinsigamond Community College – $124,254 to replace six outdated dental chairs and equipment stations at its Worcester-based dental clinic, which trains an average of 40 dental hygiene students and 20 dental assistant students annually and provides free or deeply discounted oral health care to vulnerable Worcester County populations.
Worcester RISE for Health – $125,000 to build out and equip clinical space and implement an electronic medical record system for the organization to provide maternal child health care services for newly arriving refugees and immigrants in Worcester.
The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts is dedicated to improving the health of those who live or work in Central Massachusetts, with particular emphasis on vulnerable populations and unmet needs. Through its unique and impactful approach to grantmaking, The Health Foundation supports community-identified health issues, with health defined broadly to include social determinants of health and with a focus on promoting health equity. As a health conversion foundation launched in 1999 following the sale of the not-for-profit HMO Central Massachusetts Health Care Inc., The Health Foundation’s grants have totaled over $57 million to more than 230 unique organizations over its history. For more information, visit www.thfcm.org.
The Fitchburg Parks and Rec Summer Playground Program, supported by a DESE grant, offers a variety of fun and educational activities for children ages 6-12.
United Way of North Central Massachusetts (UWNCM) recently distributed $874,325 in grants to 45 agencies across the community. These funds were allocated through two grant programs aimed at tackling regional challenges and providing after-school and out-of-school time opportunities for local children and youth.
In the 2024-25 cycle, UWNCM’s Community Impact Fund awarded $588,335 to 29 agencies, supporting 37 programs in areas such as Early Education, Youth Development, Basic Needs, Economic Opportunity, and Financial Literacy. This funding, distributed in the third year of a four-year cycle, is expected to benefit over 97,000 households, building on a 32% increase in households served from the previous year.
Pathways for Change, Inc received funds for their Sexual Assault Youth Education (SAYE) Program. Kim L. Dawkins, President & CEO, expressed gratitude, stating, “As Benjamin Franklin said, ‘An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!’ We are incredibly grateful to the United Way of North Central Massachusetts for funding the Sexual Assault Youth Education (SAYE) Program. The goal of the SAYE Program is to raise adolescents’ awareness of the incidence and myths about sexual violence and to have a role in building and expanding the resiliency factors and strengths of communities. By working in positive ways toward shared goals with the community, we can have an impact on the root causes of sexual violence.”
UWNCM also recently distributed $285,990 to 16 agencies through the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s (DESE) After School and Out-of-School Time (ASOST) Program. Funds were made available through a $1 million grant awarded by DESE to a regional effort of United Ways located in Central, North Central, and South-Central Massachusetts with the goal of helping after school and out-of-school time programs.
This seventh round of grants will support summer programming, providing diverse experiences from camp to museum visits for youth. In total, UWNCM has distributed nearly $1.6 million in DESE grants to local non-profit organizations, public school systems and towns and municipalities, with an additional round to come.
The City of Fitchburg received a DESE grant to support their Summer Playground Program. James Bunnell, Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Fitchburg, says, “The city of Fitchburg Parks and Recreation department is thrilled to be working with the United Way of North Central Massachusetts and the DESE summer grant opportunity for the second year in a row. The summer playground program allows children to attend events and visit various places like the Worcester Bravehearts baseball game, the EcoTarium, and Southwick’s Zoo. Bunnell adds, “We take pride in offering diverse events and opportunities to the community at a nominal or no cost, made possible by the support from the United Way of North Central Massachusetts and DESE.”
“Judy Tomlinson, UWNCM Director of Community Impact, highlighted the significance of the grant programs, saying, ‘These initiatives allow us to empower agencies addressing vital community issues with both tested and novel approaches. Our heartfelt thanks go to our donors, community partners, and volunteers for their unwavering support in offering immediate assistance to those in need and fostering a better future for everyone.”
The United Way of North Central Massachusetts serves the communities of Ashburnham, Ashby, Athol, Ayer, Devens, Fitchburg, Gardner, Groton, Harvard, Hubbardston, Leominster, Littleton, Pepperell, Lunenburg, Petersham, Phillipston, Royalston, Shirley, Templeton, Townsend, Westminster and Winchendon.
At the end of April, the US Department of Labor announced a final rule from the Biden Administration dealing with salary workers and overtime pay. The new rule will raise the salary threshold under which salaried employees are eligible for overtime in two stages. The first, starting on July 1, will raise the threshold to the equivalent of an annual salary of $43,888 or $844 a week, and then to $58,656 or $1,128 a week on January 1, 2025. Starting on July 1, 2027, the salary threshold will be updated every three years. This rule updates the current threshold of $35,568 or $684 per week that was put in place in 2019 during the Trump Administration. The Chamber is continuing to monitor this issue.
State Affairs:
In March, the Chamber gathered members of the region’s legislative delegation for our Annual Legislative Briefing. We engaged in productive dialogue surrounding our priorities for FY25 in the areas of small business support, tourism, and education and workforce. The meeting also provided an opportunity to showcase the efforts of the Chamber and our members during the past year and provide an update on our One North Central Initiatives.
As highlighted in her administration’s economic development plan, Governor Maura Healey is placing a focus on tourism as a way to bring more revenue to the Commonwealth. Following a decade long hiatus, the Healey-Driscoll administration brought back the annual Governor’s Tourism Conference. The daylong event provided the opportunity for us tourism affiliate, Visit North Central Massachusetts, to showcase the latest version of our guide, and interact with other regional tourism councils and stakeholders. The administration also unveiled the logo for the Massachusetts 250th anniversary campaign.
The House passed their version of a budget bill for FY25 in late-April to the tune of $58 billion. The budget aims to push overall state spending up by around 3.3 percent, but lawmakers are more conservative heading into this year with less than anticipated revenues coming in over the past year. The Chamber spent time in April leveraging our relationships with the regional delegation and our multiple coalitions we are a part of to advocate for a number of priorities in the areas of economic development, workforce, education and tourism throughout the budget process. At the time of this writing, the Senate is preparing to unveil their initial version of the budget which will be followed by debate, and then conference committee to reconcile the different versions. We will continue our advocacy efforts throughout the remainder of the budget process.
In April, members of the Chamber’s Community Leadership Institute class were brought to Boston for their April session. The class was recognized in both the House and Senate Chambers with Senator John Cronin and Representatives Natalie Higgins, Meg Kilcoyne, and Mike Kushmerek and staff from Representative Kim Ferguson providing insight into the legislative process for both bodies. During a luncheon, Senator Jamie Eldridge also joined the delegation for a panel discussion on legislation they are currently working on. We were also joined by Secretary of State Bill Galvin, Secretary of Veterans Services Jon Santiago, and State Representative Kip Diggs for a policy discussion. The Chamber would like to extend our thanks to the regional delegation for their participation in this annual event and for taking the time to engage our CLI class.
Local Affairs:
The town of Sterling is looking to update its zoning, with a particular focus on their performance zone area near the West Boylston line. Chamber staff participated in a forum held by the town in March and met with the town’s Economic Development Committee in April where we discussed aspects of the One North Central plan that may be beneficial while working on updates.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Travis Condon, the Chamber’s public affairs manager, at 978.353.7600, ext. 224; or via email at .
Ice Cream. Grandma’s Favorites. Paddling Fun. And Putting Your Green Thumb to the Test
From delicious treats, opportunities to learn about gardening, and even a salt room to enjoy for a little self-care, our region’s small businesses are ready to welcome you and your family (and even your pets!) to engage, rejuvenate and enjoy the best our region has to offer this summer.
So, grab your hat and some sunscreen, and check out these small businesses and the many others found in our Member Directory to plan a summer of fun here in North Central Massachusetts.
What started as a family dairy farm in 1911, Rota Spring Farm expanded its offerings in 1997 after David Rota wanted to diversify his business.
“As milk prices would fluctuate, I realized I needed to do something to diversify and maintain my cash flow,” said Rota, owner of the farm. “I talked with friends in the farming industry who opened ice cream stands and built a four-window stand 27 years ago. Now, we are an eight-window stand providing ultra-premium ice cream you cannot purchase anywhere else.”
In addition to ice cream, Rota dishes out traditional family favorites to customers, including his Italian grandmother’s meatballs and meat sauce. “We have tomatoes that were brought here from Italy by my grandfather many, many years ago,” he added. “We also offer on-the-go meals featuring Shepard’s pie, chicken pot pie, soups, grass fed beef, and our roast beef sandwiches are second to none.”
The farm boasts more than 15 acres of vegetable fields, which include honeybees that provide honey for purchase in the Farm Store. Visitors can explore the property, watch the cows and goats, and in the fall, enjoy pick-your-own pumpkins and hayrides.
Where to indulge
When to visit
Farm Store
Learn more
Extra toppings
117 Chace Hill Road, Sterling
Ice Cream Stand: May to August: 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., September: 11:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., October: 11:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
open all season, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (All hours subject to change contingent on weather.)
The limited-edition and very popular lavender flavored ice cream is on deck for June and July.
Building teams and having fun on the Nashua River Nashoba Paddler www.nashobapaddler.com
Located in Groton, Nashoba Paddler has been offering canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboard experiences on the beautiful, friendly Nashua River for nearly 30 years. Owner Diane Carson said the business offers something for people of all ages who want to enjoy nature and the beauty of the river.
“There is so much opportunity for outdoor recreation in our area, and I think this is something more people have become interested in,” she said. “Kayaking and canoeing are great for families, and we also welcome groups and businesses who want to get out of the office for team building activities, especially in a canoe.”
Nashoba Paddler also offers a summer camp for children aged 6 to 14, instruction for kayaking and canoeing, and they partner with the Nashua River Watershed Association’s River Classroom school programs. “We offer guided tours on the river, full moon canoeing, and there’s always the opportunity to rent boats on your own from our rental base to explore and check out wildlife, too!”
While there are no specific places to enjoy a picnic on the river, Carson said they have a couple of picnic tables at their rental base for people to grab a bite.
“The thing about the Nashua River that is really unique is that there is very little development along it so you can feel like you are in the middle of nowhere, but still be very close to home.”
Where to set sail
When to visit
Learn more
398 West Main Street, Groton
On weekends and holidays in the Spring and Fall, daily in Summer • April 17 to June 16: 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. • June 17 to September 2: 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. • September 3 to October 20, 9:30 a.m. to dusk
The Altobelli Family is all about education and community, so it felt natural for them to purchase the former Agway in Gardner with the aim of helping people, whether it be with plants or animals, and implementing workshops designed to educate or just be fun.
The Good Earth Farm & Garden Center, which still displays the old Agway sign on its east wall as a nod to the past, was founded by Jacquelin Altobelli and five other family members in 2022.
“North Central Massachusetts needed this store to keep going,” she said “And while the old Agway provided high-level service, we’ve taken it to a different level. We realized we needed to improve offerings and make the business more community oriented with educational classes that bring people together. And don’t get me started talking about the plants in our side-yard and local pollenators—it’s my Zen place come Spring! I drink a cup of coffee here every morning before we open.”
In addition to a vast array of annuals, perennials and vegetable plants, and everything to grow them successfully, the store offers farm animal feeds and supplies (they are a direct distributor of Poulin Feeds, a local, family-owned company), pet foods and supplies, lawn care products and a variety of classes on everything from mineral mixing, raised bed and container planting, growing herbs, as well as some workshops for kids.
“We recently held an Easter egg decorating class and a May Day basket making class,” she added. “We offer classes aimed at different interests because we want to build a bigger sense of community. And we love it when customers bring their pets in—they’re part of our community, too! Plus, even if you don’t have a green thumb, we believe anyone can grow anything with the correct information and we’re here to help.”
At the heart of the store? “Our staff,” said Altobelli. “From ages 17 to 70, they’ve thrown themselves into this with a humbling amount of heart. We wouldn’t be anywhere without them.”
Where to grow your garden
Join a class
Find local treasures
Learn More
633 West Broadway, Gardner
Enroll in a class on mineral mixing, creating a pollenated garden and feeding plants, and more by calling 978-632-0991.
Be sure to check out the many local vendors on display at The Good Earth for honey, crafts, window boxes, wind spinners, wooden utensils, maple syrup, and more!
When Kayla Nault learned about an available vacant building with a greenhouse in Leominster, she found an opportunity to bring her passions to the community. Now six years later, Nault is leading three businesses offering home décor, fresh flowers, plants, crystals, and holistic health in our community.
She first opened Sage Home Collections in Leominster, which provides plants, crystals, and other goods, and then expanded to open Salt and Sage on Main in Townsend, which offers a salt room, stationary, and easy-care plants, among other items. Most recently, Nault acquired Debonis and Davin Florists, a long-standing business in Fitchburg, where she offers fresh flower arrangements and plants, as well as a large gift shop.
“I’ve always loved plants and crystals, so my business is a natural progression of my hobbies,” said Nault. “And with Debonis and Davin, we are able to offer beautiful flower arrangements, as well as grab-and-go bouquets at our Leominster location.”
The flower shop also affords Nault a creative outlet to play with a variety of locally grown, beautiful flowers to make unique arrangements. “We have a small piece of land where we are growing our own flowers right here in North Central,” added Nault.
While orchids are her favorite flower, Nault also loves to surround herself with fluorite, her favorite crystal. “Fluorite comes in so many colors, green, purple and blue,” she said. “But honestly, it’s hard to pick just one favorite crystal!”
This summer, Sage Home Collections will offer their popular “Wine Down Wednesdays” event once a month on a Wednesday evening in the summer, which features local vendors, food, and wine, beer, and other beverages for purchase. “It’s a great meeting spot after work,” she added. “We just want people come hang out in the backyard, do a little shopping and enjoy great food.”
Where to plant your feet
Get salty!
Learn More
Sage Home Collections, 137 Mill Street, Leominster; Salt and Sage on Main, 422 Main Street, Townsend; Debonis and Davin Florist, 900 Main Street, Fitchburg
Salt and Sage on Main is home to one of the region’s salt rooms, a natural and holistic approach to wellness that harnesses the healing properties of salt to promote respiratory health, alleviate stress, and enhance overall well-being. Summer special $20 Thursdays for 45-minute session, book online! And be sure check out Salt and Sage on Main’s one-year anniversary celebration in August!
Be part of something meaningful at the North Star Family Services, Inc. Bidding on New Beginnings auction! Bid on incredible items to bring hope to homeless families. Your support creates a significant impact for families in our community.
Thursday July 18 –Monday July 29
6:00 AM – 11:45 PM
North Star Family Services, Inc., 758 Main St, Leominster, MA 01453
Saturday July 13, 2024
12:00 PM – 7:00 PM EDT
Downtown…Gardner City Hall, 95 Pleasant Street, Gardner MA 01440
Admission to this event is FREE!
The Gardner Food Truck Festival is an annual community oriented summer kick off celebration. Now in it’s 7th year, this festival includes a multitude of your favorite food trucks, craft beer, live music and carnival style games. Dozens of area artists and makers will be displaying their wares right downtown by the historic City Hall and Post Office buildings. This year the festival is back and bigger than ever. Bring along a folding chair or spread a picnic blanket and enjoy the afternoon’s festivities.
WooTrucks, the trusted name in food truck booking, is a food truck commissary, commercial kitchen, and base of operations for food trucks, caterers, bakers, and food entrepreneurs located at 67 Main Street, Boylston MA. Our fully permitted and approved facility to prepare food was established to foster a transparent, self-policing community of food trucks and food entrepreneurs practicing only the highest standards of customer service while maintaining strict adherence to health, sanitation and food codes. WooTrucks operates food truck festivals throughout the region and supplies food trucks to corporate clients, private businesses, breweries, academic institutions, city and town governments.
Attend NXT Level Studios for a night of storytelling with local author, Matt Landry, Author of: Keep Moving Forward.
FREE PRESENTATION & BOOK SALE
“The healing connection between nature and mental health. How hiking can teach us the lessons we need to learn in order to enjoy the journey, achieve our goals, create structure and discipline, slow down our brains, and to keep moving forward, one small step at a time..”
Date: Tuesday, 7/09/2024
Time: 6:30pm – 8:30pm EDT
Location: NXT Level Studios
44 Old Princeton Road Suite 101, Fitchburg, MA 01420
ATTENTION BUSINESS OWNERS
Was your business impacted by the flooding on September 11, 2023?
The Small Business Association (SBA) is in the city of Leominster providing resources for business owners.
SBA and FEMA have representatives available at the Disaster Recovery Center located at City Hall to help answer your questions Monday-Saturday from 9am-7pm until July 15.
The SBA also has a Business Recovery Center located at the Emergency Management Office at 37 Carter Street with someone available to assist you Monday-Friday from 9am-5:30pm.
Businesses of any size are eligible. Private, non-profit organizations such as charities, churches, private universities, etc., are also eligible.
Barbara Mahoney, president and CEO of Leominster Credit Union, has been elected Chair of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce board of directors for 2024-2025
Barbara Mahoney, president and CEO of Leominster Credit Union, has been elected Chair of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce board of directors for 2024-2025. The announcement was made at the Chamber’s Annual Meeting on June 20, 2024. As the Chair of the Chamber’s board of directors, she will work with fellow board members, Chamber staff, and membership, to champion the Chamber in its mission to serve the region’s business community.
Mahoney was named president and CEO of Leominster Credit Union in 2020. She first joined the credit union in 2003 as Vice President of Human Resources and rose through the ranks to become Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in 2019. Founded in 1954, Leominster Credit Union is a member-owned, not-for-profit cooperative financial institution headquartered in Leominster, Mass. The credit union offers a full range of deposit, lending, and other financial services to more than 40,000 members in North Central Massachusetts.
In addition to her involvement with the Chamber, Mahoney serves on a number of boards and charitable organizations, including the Boys and Girls Club of Fitchburg/Leominster, MassHire North Central Workforce Board and the St. Bernard’s High School Foundation.
She succeeds James Vander Hooven, president of Mount Wachusett Community College, who now moves to the position of Immediate Past Chair of the board of directors.
“The Chamber is a dynamic and well-respected organization that plays a critical role in the economic development, tourism, workforce and community engagement for our region,” said Mahoney. “I am eager to work in collaboration with my esteemed board members to enhance the work done by Jim Vander Hooven and the current board to ensure our region continues to prosper for our businesses, provides a warm welcome for our visitors, and continues the strong community traditions that make our region a great place to call home.”
Mahoney was first elected to the Chamber’s board of directors in 2021 and has held several leadership positions, including Vice Chair and Treasurer. She also served on the Chamber’s Leadership Council, and the One North Central Leadership and Executive Committees.
“Barbara has made a significant impact in advancing and advocating for the Chamber over a number of years and in various roles,” said Roy Nascimento, president and CEO, North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. “Through her respected leadership, Barbara will continue to support our goals while advancing the interests of our members and that of our region.”
In the same election, Tony Fields, president, Clear Tech Group, based in Leominster, was elected Vice Chair. Allie Catlin, owner, Smith’s Country Cheese, located in Winchendon, was elected to the position of Treasurer.
North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for 2024-2025
Free one-on-one counseling and technical assistance is available to entrepreneurs and existing businesses in North Central Massachusetts through a partnership between the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce and the local chapter of the Worcester SCORE Chapter. SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) is a national nonprofit association supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration that is dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals through education and mentorship. They have a network of 11,000+ volunteer business mentors who provide advice on every aspect of business planning, start-up, management and growth.
SCORE operates a satellite office at the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. SCORE mentors Johanne Cimon and Gerry Gates are available by appointment to meet with any prospective or existing small businesses at the Chamber office. Ms. Cimon’s main mentoring skills are Accounting, Operations, Human Resources, Marketing and Business Planning. Mr. Gates’s main mentoring skills are Business Strategy and Planning, Operations, Management, Budgeting, Culture and Team Building and Recruiting.
Services available include assistance with developing business plans, marketing plans, securing financing, cash flow, and other areas critical to ensure a successful venture. Clientele includes start-up, early-stage, expanding, and troubled businesses. All programs of SCORE are offered to the public at no charge, on a non-discriminatory basis, and are handicapped accessible.
To schedule an appointment with a SCORE counselor, please contact the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce at 978.353.7600 ext. 222. For more information about SCORE, visit https://www.score.org/worcester.
Domination Plumbing and Heating of Leominster started in business just 5 years ago servicing resident and commercial customers. They now service much of Central Massachusetts and even stretch into Boston. They have grown their business specializing in both service work for home and business owners, as well as new construction and remodels for residential homes and commercial buildings, according to owner Dominic Arsenault.
As a testimony to Domination’s achievements, Dominic notes “This company, from where we started of just myself as an employee to now over 15 employees, is my biggest professional achievement. Growing up I struggled with school and having my own company was really never in the vision. After working for multiple plumbing companies out of school and gaining meaningful experience, it gave me the passion to want to have my own business. It was not easy to get to where we are today but to see the growth over the years makes it all worth it. And knowing we have so much more growth left in this continuously evolving trade gives us something to always work towards.
In describing Domination’s work environment, Dominic says “I would describe our company’s culture as youthful and driven. We are a group of younger people that have the passion to serve our customers till they are completely satisfied.”
Supporting the local community is very important to the company, noted Arsenault. “We have increased our involvement in the local communities a lot over these past few years,” he added. “Last year we were excited to be part of the Johnny Appleseed Fest and will continue to have a booth there again this coming year. We joined the North Central Chamber to help assist us in being more involved during 2024 and the years to come. We are excited for all the new faces, business, and ventures that the Chamber will bring us.” He also noted that supporting the community was instilled on him at an early age. “Our mother was a Chamber member years ago when she was an independent sales director for Thirty One Gifts,” he added. “We would watch her to go all these events and form so many meaningful relationships, that we knew we needed to join as well to meet so many local people and businesses and start creating our own meaningful relationships.”
When asked who has been your or your company’s strongest influences, Dominic proudly stated “This company was originally influenced by our Dad and Uncle, who we watched growing up working tough blue collar jobs. Our Uncle owns his own HVAC business and seeing how well he supported his employees, himself and family made me realize I wanted to do that for others as well one day.”
When looking toward the future for his business, he feels it is “limitless.” “We are excited to grow our HVAC team over the next year, as well as grow our service area to cover more of Massachusetts,” he said. “Our vision one day is to be a, ‘one stop shop’ company that provides all home services.”
Domination relies on social media as one of its primary ways to promote the business. “We have had much success in promoting our business online through social media,” noted Arsenault. “We love to post funny videos on our Tik-tok and Instagram, as well as information videos to help with common issues on Facebook.”
The company website probably sums up their business style the best, noting “We saw that people were searching for dependable plumbing and heating service that wouldn’t let them down… From day one, our mission has been clear – do the job right the first time. So next time your pipes act up or your heater’s on the fritz, remember – we’ve got your back!” Contact info: ; 978.602.7547