News & Events
Starkweather & Shepley Insurance Marketing Overview
Exploring the latest trends and insights: Starkweather & Shepley Insurance Marketing Overview Q2 2024 report.
Insurance Marketing Update from the Property & Casualty Market Index
Member News
Warmer Winters Night
Join us at Polar Park on Friday June 21st, 2024 as the Worcester Red Sox take on the Columbus Clippers! Tickets purchased through this link will also support the Warmer Winters non-profit out of Leominster MA (https://www.warmerwinters.net/about-us).
Each ticket will include:
- A fixed seat in our 3rd Base Field Box of the seating bowl
- $2 of Loaded Value*
- $5 fundraiser that goes back to Warmer Winters
And don’t forget to stick around after the conclusion of the game for UniBank Fireworks! Take in the spectacular firework display that has become synonymous with Friday nights in Worcester!
*Loaded Value is ballpark credit on your ticket that is redeemable at concession stands and the Team Store; Just scan your ticket barcode at the register and take $2 off your purchase*
Please contact Joe Foley, , (508) 204-5384 with any questions.
Learn MoreJay Champion Named Chief Executive Officer and President of Workers Credit Union
“Jay is a seasoned financial leader and has the skills needed to maintain our team’s delivery of top-notch member service,” says Nilesh Gunda, Board Chair of Workers Credit Union. “In less than a year, Jay has made a positive impact on Workers Credit Union and our mission to empower our members to achieve financial wellness. We’re confident in Jay’s ability to continue advancing our goals while being an innovative leader to help the credit union continue to thrive.”
Since joining Workers Credit Union, Champion has established a vision for financial growth and stability that focuses on member choice and innovation, empowering his team to think creatively about the future while honoring the past.
“Workers Credit Union is an institution that has made an indelible impact on North Central Massachusetts since its founding 110 years ago by helping people and businesses save, spend, invest, borrow, and plan. Our team is passionate about being the community economic engine that people and businesses in our markets can count on.” says Champion. “I am honored to lead our team in our mission to continue improving the daily lives of our members.”
Champion most recently served as President and CEO of Westerra Credit Union in Denver, Colorado. Prior to that, he served as Chief Operating Officer of Elevations Credit Union in Boulder, Colorado. Throughout his experience serving in multiple C-suite roles for various financial institutions over the past 30+ years, Champion has become highly skilled in building healthy and engaged team cultures, enhancing business process management, and driving organizational performance.
Champion obtained his Master of Business Administration with Finance and Management concentrations from Texas A&M University – Commerce and his Bachelor of Science in Economics from East Texas State University. He is also a graduate of the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University.
About Workers Credit Union
Workers Credit Union, a member-owned and member-focused $2.4 billion credit union, is building the financial wellness of its nearly 122,000 members through coaching, products and support that empowers them to build a better life for themselves and their families. Headquartered in Littleton, MA, Workers Credit Union has been serving communities in Massachusetts for more than 110 years. Workers Credit Union is a Community Development Financial Institution and Low-Income Designated Credit Union.
ConvenientMD Awards $2,500 Scholarship to Leominster High School Senior
ConvenientMD presents its student scholarship award at its Leominster urgent care clinic. Pictured here is award recipient Abigail Barnaby, along with members of ConvenientMD’s Leominster clinic and Scholarship Selection Committee.
Leominster High School Senior Abigail Barnaby was recently awarded a $2,500 scholarship from ConvenientMD Urgent Care. ConvenientMD’s Student Scholarship Program has expanded to award ten $2,500 scholarships to high school seniors from Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts who plan to pursue post-secondary education in the healthcare field. There were nearly 800 applications for this year’s scholarship awards.
“ConvenientMD is honored to play a role in shaping the healthcare leaders of tomorrow. These scholarships will provide much needed support to these students pursuing post-secondary education in healthcare,” said Massachusetts Director of Operations Bridgette Adams.
“Our Social Impact Committee was impressed to see Abigial’s commitment to academic success, while also finding time to engage and excel in extracurriculars,” said ConvenientMD Community Partnerships Manager Morgan Faustino.
ConvenientMD is New England’s leading urgent care provider. Its clinics, including the location at 20 Commercial Road in Leominster, are open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. to serve the community’s immediate medical needs – no appointment necessary. Learn more at ConvenientMD.com.
About ConvenientMD
Headquartered in Portsmouth, NH, ConvenientMD is a walk-in and virtual healthcare provider dedicated to delivering the best medical care and experience for patients throughout New England. By offering fast, quality care at an affordable rate, ConvenientMD is raising the bar for urgent care and reshaping the delivery of modern healthcare. Each urgent care center provides an advanced array of services—including X-rays, IVs, labs, and minor surgical procedures—as well as staff committed to following an innovative, full-service approach to satisfying patients’ demands for convenient, compassionate treatment in an urgent care setting.
Beers For Good $1000 Donation to Fitchburg Civic Days
Using Canva for Your Business
Join Wachusett Business Incubator for a one-hour class that will show you how to use the free version of Canva for your business marketing and printing needs. Topics include logo creation, print options, and sizing for online marketing.
Bring your questions as there will be time for Questions and Answers.
Light refreshments will be provided.
Space is limited. Register today!
Presented by: Kat Deal, owner of Elevated Graphic Designs
Register NowWachusett Business Incubator Entrepreneur 101 Class
Friday, June 14th – 9 AM – 12 PM
Location – MWCC – Leominster
Cost – FREE but requires registration.
Entrepreneurship 101: Presentation Agenda
Part 1: Introduction to Entrepreneurship – Dr. Mike Greenwood
Overview: Discuss the entrepreneurial mindset and key characteristics of successful entrepreneurs.
Opportunity Identification: Briefly cover methods to identify and assess business opportunities.
Part 2: Developing the Business Idea – Dr. Mike Greenwood
Idea Generation: Share techniques for brainstorming and creative thinking.
Validation: Introduce basic validation tools like market feasibility and the Lean Startup approach.
Part 3: Essentials of Business Planning – John Lohmann
Business Plan Components: Outline the structure of a simple business plan.
Goal Setting and Financial Basics: Highlight how to set realistic goals and basic financial projections.
Part 4: Marketing and Sales Overview – John Lohmann
Marketing Basics: Brief discussion on creating a marketing strategy and understanding the target market.
Sales Fundamentals: Introduce basic sales techniques and the importance of customer relationships.
Part 5: Funding and Legal Considerations – Sandie Cataldo
Financing Options: Overview of different funding avenues like bootstrapping, loans, and investors.
Legal Basics: Discuss the importance of choosing the right business structure and understanding regulatory requirements.
2024 Verano Alegre Summer Fun Kick Off
Kick off a fun summer with the 2024 Verano Alegre Summer Youth program hosted by the Spanish American Center, Inc.!
Plenty of food, music, and raffles to have a great time.
Buy Black Market to Transform Fitchburg City Hall into a Celebration of Juneteenth
Prepare for an exceptional takeover of Fitchburg City Hall this Juneteenth. CoFF33 Corp is thrilled to announce the inaugural Buy Black Market Juneteenth Celebration, scheduled for Wednesday, June 19th, 2024, from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM. This festival-like event will utilize every corner of the historic venue for activities that entertain, educate, and empower.
This vibrant event will combine the communal spirit of a neighborhood cookout with the entrepreneurial energy of Black Wall Street, creating an exhilarating environment where education meets jubilation. With a dynamic lineup of local entrepreneurs, artists, and thinkers, the celebration is set to be a focal point of culture and community connection.
Event Details:
Location: Fitchburg City Hall, 718 Main St, Fitchburg, MA
Date & Time: June 19th, 2024, 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Event Highlights:
- Marketplace Vibes on the First Floor: Stroll through a bustling market featuring local Black-owned businesses showcasing everything from artisan crafts to tech innovations.
- Musical Soul on the Second Floor: Let loose with performances from DJ Renzo, Provenance, Nasih, and J. Jordan of JoE GriZzLy, alongside an array of spoken word artists who embody the rhythmic heart of African American culture.
- Engaging Minds on the Third Floor: Engage with speakers like Demetrice Phillips, Rev. Annie Belmer, and other luminaries who will delve into topics from Fitchburg’s role in the abolitionist movement to the ongoing influence of Black-owned enterprises.
The Buy Black Market Juneteenth Celebration is more than just a gathering; it’s a platform for honoring the roots of Juneteenth, celebrating today’s achievements of the Black community, and fostering the growth of tomorrow’s leaders. The event is open to all and welcomes the public with suggested donations at the entrance to support local Black-owned businesses and community empowerment initiatives.
This program is supported by the Fitchburg Creative City Partnership, funded by MassDevelopment/TDI and the Barr Foundation as part of the larger Creative Cities initiative. This support underscores the event’s significance in fostering community engagement and economic development.
Come be part of something historic — celebrate, learn, and connect at the heart of Fitchburg!
For more details or to get involved as a vendor or performer, please visit our website at https://www.coff33corp.org/buyblackmarket or contact us at .
Berkshire Bank Expands Efforts to Support Small Businesses
Berkshire Bank, a relationship-driven, community-focused bank in New England and New York, has joined an effort by the Massachusetts State Treasurer’s Office to help support small businesses through Investing For the Long-Term Initiative (Invest MA), the state’s new program to provide small businesses enhanced access to capital.
Invest MA aims to promote small business growth by providing creditworthy enterprises in Massachusetts with greater access to bank loans. The program shifts $500 million in state cash deposits under the control of the Treasurer to Massachusetts banks like Berkshire that are committed to expanding their small business lending in the Commonwealth.
“Small businesses are the lifeblood of the economy, accounting for more than 85% of all businesses in Massachusetts,” said Denise Thompson, senior vice president and director of Small Business Credit & Operations at Berkshire Bank. “We’re committed to helping those businesses create the jobs and new opportunities that contribute to the vibrancy and success of their communities.”
To read the full release, please visit; 2021-2024 Media Releases | Press Releases | Berkshire Bank