Fidelity Bank announced the appointment of Shawn Tolf to Vice President, Business Service Sales Representative. In this role, he will work with business clients, providing personalized service and a variety of Business Services and Cash Management solutions, to help them grow, optimize their cash flow, and reduce fraud. He will be based at the bank’s headquarters at the Leominster Connector.
Tolf comes to Fidelity Bank from Eastern Bank, where he served as Business Banking Relationship Manager and oversaw commercial, industrial and commercial real estate lending as well as deposit growth and fee revenue from cash management and other ancillary services. Prior to Eastern Bank, Tolf spent 15 years at Citizens Bank where he held a variety of roles, including Branch Manager and Business Banking Relationship Manager.
“Shawn’s many years of banking experience combined with his tendency of caring for his clients and their business aligns perfectly with our LifeDesign banking approach and C.A.R.E. Process. Shawn will serve our clients well helping them make decisions with clarity and confidence to get where they want to be,” said Lesly Murray, senior vice president, director, Business Services.
A graduate of Nashoba Regional High School, he attended Quinsigamond Community College. In the community, Tolf serves as a mentor for Entrepreneurship for All (EforAll), an organization accelerating economic and social impact in communities nationwide through inclusive entrepreneurship.
He resides in Lunenburg with his wife and three children.
About Fidelity Bank: Founded in 1888, Fidelity Bank is one of the strongest independent community banks in Central and Eastern Massachusetts. Celebrating its 20-year anniversary as the brand promise to the community, Fidelity Bank’s unique LifeDesign approach to banking provides the care and clarity needed to make informed decisions with confidence. The Bank offers a range of personal and business banking solutions to clients in 13 full-service banking centers in Leominster, Worcester, Fitchburg, Needham, Gardner, Shirley, Barre, Millbury, Paxton, Princeton, and Winchendon. The Bank has consistently earned a “5 Star” rating from BauerFinancial, Inc., the nation’s leading independent bank rating and research firm. Fidelity Bank was the only bank in Central and Western Massachusetts recognized as one of Forbes “America’s Best Banks in Each State 2022,” in addition to being voted Worcester Telegram & Gazette Best Financial Services in Central Massachusetts and placing on the Boston Globe’s Top Places to Work list six times. As of June 30, 2023, the bank had total assets of approximately $1.4 billion. For more information, visit fidelitybankonline.com.
Nineteen of the region’s up-and-coming leaders recognized for community service, engagement
The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce recognized the Community Leadership Institute (CLI) Class of 2023 at the Chamber’s Annual Meeting held on June 15 at Great Wolf Lodge in Fitchburg.
Nineteen graduates, who were identified as up-and-coming leaders in the region, completed the nine-month program which is focused on providing participants with individual leadership skills, a stronger understanding of the region, and 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 community 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 chairman of the CLI Steering Committee, was impressed by the caliber of this year’s class. “Each year, I continue to be amazed with the dedication, creativity and motivation of our participants,” said Dr. Greenwood. “Programs like CLI are important to our community in an effort to ensure a continuity of leadership, community engagement and service as our region’s current leaders look forward to retirement.”
The nine-month CLI program traditionally runs from October to June and includes an orientation and eight day-long sessions on various topic areas, including Personal Leadership; Non-Profit Governance/Volunteerism; History of the Region; Media & Crisis Communications; Healthcare; Law & Justice; Legislation/Public Policy; Arts & Culture; and Economic Development. In addition, the CLI participants complete a community project through the course of the nine-month program. Participants select a project, or break into smaller groups of similar interest, with a goal to positively affect the community while also managing and executing the project before the end of the program year. The program culminates with a commencement ceremony at the Chamber’s Annual Meeting where the class and their service projects are recognized.
“The service project aspect of the curriculum is my favorite part of the CLI program,” said Kat Deal, programs & events manager, North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. “I am always inspired and amazed by the incredible projects that come out of each CLI class. Past CLI projects have included the creation of a new non-profit organization to help with holiday gifts for families dealing with cancer to a project designed to help improve the appearance of a downtown business district in order to support future business development and community inclusion.”
This year’s class worked on two service projects, including the establishment of a “Wash it Forward” program and a non-traditional scholarship program for students.
Wash it Forward provided an opportunity for the homeless individuals in the region to wash and dry their laundry for free at area laundromats with detergent and dryer sheets provided by the generosity of CLI participants. Wash and Fold in Leominster hosted an event, with pizza donated by Papou’s Pizza, while Laundry World in Fitchburg also hosted a Wash it Forward event that also provided access to a food pantry led by the owner of Laundry World.
“Wash it Forward was a fantastic success that helped many people,” said Ryan May, head teller at Avidia Bank and 2023 CLI graduate. “I hope this inspires people to continue to do this, even if it isn’t for an event, but just to help someone who needs a hand.”
Patrick Ellis, senior branch manager, vice president, Enterprise Bank & Trust and 2023 CLI graduate said, “We were looking for a grassroots project that would have a real impact on real people. And everyone has to do laundry!”
This year’s class also developed a non-traditional scholarship program which provided seven individuals with a $2,000 scholarship each to help bridge the financial gap to attend programs in cosmetology, electrical engineering, licensed practical nursing, human services, or toward tuition to attend a community college or four-year university. The CLI Class partnered with My Turn to deliver the scholarships. My Turn is an organization that helps people develop their skills, goals and self-confidence through alternative education, post-secondary planning, career exploration and employment training. As an outgrowth of the CLI project, the North Central Massachusetts Chamber Foundation hopes to continue to provide non-traditional scholarships to students who may not qualify for traditional scholarships or other funding opportunities.
Graduates of the Community Leadership Institute Class of 2023 are as follows:
Becky Beaton, North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation
Jeanice Bulnes, AIS, Inc.
Wiley Cordone, Bemis Associates
Sabine Dupoux, Mount Wachusett Community College
Patrick Ellis, Enterprise Bank
Christian Estrella, Fitchburg State University
Rachel Graddy, Fitchburg State University
Nicole Kalloch, Rollstone Bank & Trust
Matthew Kilcoyne, IC Credit Union
Jacob Lippman, Leominster Credit Union
Ryan May, Avidia Bank
Shane McCormack, Aging Services of North Central Massachusetts
Stephen Oldfield, Montachusett Regional Transit Authority
Natalia Oliveria, City of Fitchburg
Jennifer Phelps, Fidelity Bank
William Spencer, sponsored by Fidelity Bank
Sarah Stebulis, Fitchburg Redevelopment Authority
Alexandra Welch, Making Opportunities Count
Terry Young, North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce
Applications for the Community Leadership Institute Class of 2024 are currently being accepted.
To apply, or to obtain additional information about the nomination process, please visit www.northcentralmass.com/CLI. Accepted applicants will be notified by September 25, 2023. Please contact Kat Deal at 978.353.7600 x 235 or for more information.
About Community Leadership Institute The Community Leadership Institute began in 1988, known then as Leadership North Central. Over the last 25 years, more than 250 participants have graduated from the Institute and become leaders in their communities, with over 100 in the last five years. Participants for the Institute are sponsored by their business and are seen as leaders or potential leaders within that company. Applications for each class are available in July & August of each year, sessions held once per month from October to June.
Chamber of Commerce | North Central Massachusetts | North Central Massachusetts Chamber | Community Leadership Institute | Community Leadership Institute Class of 2023
New England Botanic Garden CEO Grace Elton and Board President Kent dur Russell
New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill, owned and operated by the Worcester County Horticultural Society, is delighted to announce the appointment of Kent dur Russell, an influential leader in the region’s cultural sector, as its new board president.
Russell’s career journey, spanning decades, has been marked by exceptional local and international contributions to the museum world. From 2006 through 2022, he served as the Chief Executive Officer and Curator of the Museum of Russian Icons where he played a pivotal role in the organization’s founding, construction, and expansion. He led the museum’s transformation into an AAM-accredited museum of national importance and a leading center for Byzantine icons. Before that, Russell held significant curatorial and executive roles at various institutions including the Municipal Gallery of Modern Art in Dublin; The Arts Council Gallery in Belfast; The Museum of Art, Science, and Industry in Bridgeport in CT; The Parrish Art Museum in Southampton in NY; The New Museum and the Studio Museum in Harlem in NYC; The Fitchburg Art Museum; and the Higgins Armory Museum in Worcester, MA. While with the Higgins Armory Museum, Russell initiated valuable partnerships between cultural institutions in greater Worcester and served as the founding chair of the Worcester Cultural Coalition, work that earned him the Key to the City in 2002.
“We are thrilled to welcome Kent dur Russell as our new board president,” said Grace Elton, CEO of New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill. “His extensive experience in the arts and cultural institutions combined with his exceptional leadership skills will advance the Garden and enhance its impact within the community.”
Russell’s dedication to the cultural sector in Central Massachusetts and beyond is evident in his board service record. This includes roles as president of the New England Museum Association and as a trustee at institutions such as Music Worcester, Worcester County Visitors and Convention Bureau, and North Worcester Business Association, among others. Currently, he serves as a trustee for the Worcester Art Museum, the Museum of Russian Icons, and Ballets Russes in Boston. Russell has also served two separate terms as a trustee for the Worcester County Horticultural Society, totaling nine years of volunteer leadership service, where he made significant contributions as chair of the Governance Committee.
“I feel a profound connection to New England Botanic Garden’s mission of connecting people with plants,” Russell said. “I am honored to be appointed as the board president and excited about the opportunity to make an even greater contribution to the Garden’s continued success.”
Russell has had a deep interest in gardens and horticulture ever since caring for a townhouse garden in New York City where he spent his childhood. Presently, he calls the historic 1723 Cushing House in Lunenburg, MA, his home, a place where he, with his wife and his two now adult sons, have lovingly tended a garden over the past three decades.
About New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill
New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill is a nonprofit organization located at 11 French Drive in Boylston, Massachusetts. A regional destination, we are operated on 171 acres by the Worcester County Horticultural Society, one of the oldest of its kind in the country, and are open to the public for garden viewing, trail walking, activities, private events, educational classes, weddings, exhibitions, and more. We are an AAM-accredited museum that includes an irreplaceable collection of plants. We hope to engage you in a life-long passion for growing plants for their ornamental, economic, and ecological value. Learn all about New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill including its history, mission, and its staff, please visit www.nebg.org.
Media Contact
Liz Nye, Public Relations Manager New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill Office: 508-869-6111 ext. 143 | Mobile: 518-526-3060
Children enjoy a sensory table in the MWCC Family Resource Center.
Mount Wachusett Community College has received a Career Readiness and Educational Access Grant from the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts. This grant will enable MWCC to expand its Child Watch drop-in program for student-parents to use while they are on campus attending classes, meeting with advisors, participating in study groups, or otherwise working toward their degrees.
The Child Watch program was launched in April 2022 with support from the federally funded Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) project and the federal work-study program. The Child Watch program provides children with enrichment, play, and socialization with peers and the opportunity to see their parents pursue academics, creating a family value tied to academic growth and perseverance.
“By providing childcare for student parents, MWCC will help to increase educational access and equity for parents and create a pathway for parents to earn their degree and obtain gainful employment to support their families,” stated MWCC President James Vander Hooven.
“In its first year, over 50 students utilized the child watch, but this only scratches the surface of the current need,” notes Ann Reynolds, CCAMPIS Advisor at MWCC. “This program has helped our parenting students to stay in school. Childcare is an overlooked basic need for many student parents.”
For many student-parents, access to childcare can mean the difference between earning their degree or dropping out. With many of our parenting students attending part-time or in the evenings, the lack of evening childcare leads parents to take fewer classes and increases their time to graduation. Additionally, parents with unreliable childcare options may miss significant numbers of classes, leading to a decrease in their academic performance and possible loss of financial aid.
In addition to the expanded child watch program, MWCC has a number of programs for parenting students including the Parent Support Group, Family Resource Center, and Lactation Room and hosts the MOC Child Care and Head Start Services at the Garrison Center for Early Childhood Education. More information on these programs is available at mwcc.edu/student-parents.
Monty Tech School District and MT Nites are the recipients of now THREE Workforce Development grants through the partnership of MassHire North Central Career Center, made possible by Commonwealth Corporation.
This Fall we are offering free training in the fields of CNC Operator and Culinary Arts to underemployed and unemployed MA residents, seeking a new start in their career. All participants will receive industry recognized credentials, full sets of tools & materials, hands-on training, and job placement assistance, all at NO COST.
Applicants:
must be a resident of Massachusetts;
be over the age of 18;
not currently attending high school;
must make less than $46,800 per year;
not already working in the field you wish to study, or have opportunity for growth in their industry (example: a server who wishes to move up to be a line cook); and
must be willing to go to work immediately upon graduation in the field that they trained in.
Pathways for Change received a grant to pilot the Males Advocating Change (MAC) program. Pictured left to right is Wendy Aguilar, Assistant Director of Education & Outreach; Marguerite Mowry, Youth Education Specialist and Amparo L. Cruz, Director of Education & Outreach.
Grants given to eight agencies to tackle rising youth mental and behavioral health issues stemming from COVID-19 pandemic
United Way of North Central Massachusetts (UWNCM) recently awarded $90,000 in grants to 8 local agencies to pilot youth mental and behavioral health initiatives. The grants are part of a new area of work for UWNCM that seeks to address challenges faced by young people arising from increased isolation during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
The following agencies received grants: Boys & Girls Club of Fitchburg/Leominster, Boys & Girls Club of Lunenburg, Girl Scouts of Central & Western Mass, LUK Crisis Center, Inc., Montachusett Community Branch YMCA, Mount Wachusett Community Foundation, Pathways for Change, Inc., and Spanish American Center, Inc.
Grants will support a variety of programs serving diverse populations from different perspectives, from providing free behavioral health services for uninsured marginalized youth, to enabling girls to discover art and nature as tools for mental well-being, and using dance movement therapy to support youth who identify as Latino, Black, and Indigenous.
UWNCM first identified a need for increased youth mental and behavioral health services after hosting a community roundtable on the topic in December 2022. Participants, including representatives from local agencies and the health field, noted that in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, many young people have become isolated and unprepared for healthy social relationships.
The grant program is a new initiative for UWNCM that seeks to begin identifying the most effective ways of delivering services to young people who are struggling with mental and behavioral health. Grants will run through June 30, 2024, and results will be used to create targeted programs going forward.
Pathways for Change, Inc., based in Worcester, received a grant to pilot Males Advocating Change (MAC), a program that will engage middle school, high school and college-aged men to address male violence, particularly sexual and dating violence against women.
Kim Dawkins, CEO/President of Pathways for Change, says, “We are grateful to UWNCM for our recent Youth Mental/Behavioral Health grant. The role of MAC is to raise awareness of the myths about masculinity and play a part in building and expanding young males’ understanding of healthy, non-violent masculinity. These funds will provide critical resources needed to continue our work to engage young males and train them to be leaders in our effort to end sexual violence in North Central Massachusetts.”
Judy Tomlinson, Director of Community Impact at UWNCM, adds, “Youth mental and behavioral health problems are reaching crisis levels in our region. With our new grant program, UWNCM is dipping our toes in the water of a larger issue and learning as we go. We are excited to support a wide variety of initiatives that will use creative methods to support our youth.”
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.
Source: State House News Service Author: Colin A. Young
Sellers Fetching High Prices Despite Surging Borrowing Costs
Mortgage interest rates are almost double what they were a year ago, but the prices of single-family homes and condominiums in Massachusetts continued to set new records and erode paths to homeownership in July, real estate market analysts said.
The Warren Group’s report on July sales activity showed that sales of both single-family homes and condominiums declined year-over-year last month, down more than 23 percent and more than 14 percent, respectively. But with intense competition for the relatively scarce inventory of homes and condos for sale, median sale prices reached new all-time highs for July last month.
“Demand is obviously still strong among prospective buyers, but inventory can’t keep up,” Cassidy Norton, associate publisher and media relations director at the real estate data firm The Warren Group, said.
There were 4,085 single-family homes sold in Massachusetts in July, down 23.1 percent from July 2022’s 5,314 transactions. The median sale price of a single-family home climbed 4.3 percent from last July to the new monthly record high of $610,000, The Warren Group said.
Through the first seven months of 2023, there have been 22,657 single-family home sales across Massachusetts, a drop of 24.6 percent compared to the first seven months of 2022. And the year-to-date median sale price of a single-family home has increased 2.3 percent compared to the same period in 2022 to $565,000, The Warren Group said.
As of Monday, the average interest rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage was 7.247 percent APR, according to Zillow data compiled by NerdWallet. A year ago, the average interest rate was 5.267 percent, NerdWallet said.
Theresa Hatton, CEO of the Massachusetts Association of Realtors (MAR), said summers generally bring “a hot real estate market,” but that the state’s chronic lack of inventory is holding the Bay State market back from achieving year-over-year growth.
“With the competitive buying market, we are seeing, many potential sellers are refraining from listing their homes due to the attractive existing mortgage rates they have combined with the stress of entering the buyers’ market after their current home sells,” Hatton said in a statement.
MAR said that new listings in July decreased by 26.7 percent for single-family homes and by 17.6 percent for condominiums, year-over-year. Year-to-date, new listings compared to 2022 are down 25.1 percent for single-family houses and down 20.6 percent for condos, MAR said.
The competitive market and scarcity of homes for sale has been a boon to sellers. MAR said the single-family homes that sold in July went for an average of 102.9 percent of their original list price.
Condo sales activity and prices largely mirrored the single-family home market in July, The Warren Group said. The month’s 1,886 condominium sales marked a 14.3 percent decrease from the 2,201 condo sales in July 2022, but the median sale price increased 6.5 percent year-over-year to a new all-time July high of $555,000. So far in 2023 there have been 11,270 condo sales in Massachusetts, a 22.2 percent decrease compared to the first seven months of 2022, and the median sale price has climbed 4 percent to $519,900.
“Historically, condos have been a more affordable alternative to single-family homes, but with the median price hovering above $500,000 for the last three months, prospective buyers will be hard-pressed to find an easy route to homeownership,” Norton said.
The unaffordability of housing in Massachusetts accelerated as the pandemic hit in 2020 and has led to housing insecurity for many Bay Staters at the same time that the state is seeing a hard-to-manage surge of immigrant families coming to Massachusetts in search of shelter and work.
When Gov. Maura Healey rang alarm bells about the shrinking capacity of the state’s emergency shelter system and declared an emergency, she said that one of the reasons that “we find ourselves in this situation” is the state’s “long-standing shortage of affordable housing.”
The high cost of living in Massachusetts also puts a damper on the state’s efforts to compete against lower-cost spots like Florida, Texas and North Carolina for increasingly mobile residents and workers. Healey took office in January promising to tackle the “barriers that are holding back our people and our state,” like the “out of control” cost of housing.
Chamber of Commerce | North Central Massachusetts | North Central Massachusetts Chamber | Massachusetts Economy | Government Affairs | State House News Service | Healey-Driscoll Administration
The MassHire Department of Career Services (MDCS) is pleased to announce that MassHire North Central Career Center is the recipient of the MDCS Jobs for Veterans State Grant (JVSG) Incentive Award. The MassHire North Central Career Center is the 2023 JVSG “RISING STAR” Winner of $3,105.
The JVSG Incentive Awards recognize the efforts of an entire One-Stop Career Center (not just a Veterans unit or Veterans staff) whose efforts demonstrate: improvement and modernization of employment, training, and placement services for Veterans; the reward and celebration of excellence in priority of service; development and delivery of best practice techniques and improved performance outcomes for Veterans.
The North Central Career Center demonstrated these ideals through their teamwork, using a unified approach to engaging partners and employers in support of Veterans through a tight integration of all Career Center staff and programs.
Creates Network Upgrades to benefit new Community Center at Waterford Street School and Improve School Security
Mayor Mike Nicholson and Anne Gobi, Massachusetts Director of Rural Affairs at the Grant Award Ceremony for the Commonwealth Community Compact Municipal Fiber Grant Award Ceremony. Director Gobi presented the awards on behalf of the Healey-Driscoll Administration.
The City of Gardner was awarded a $200,000 grant as a part of the State’s Community Compact Municipal Fiber Grant Program. The funding will allow the city to connect its School Department, Police Department, and the new location of the Gardner Senior Center at Waterford Street School to a single fiber optic network. This will allow for a streamlining of the management of IT infrastructure by adopting a unified approach which covers network monitoring, cybersecurity, records management, and backup and recovery, achieving a long-held goal of more efficient and secure communications between city departments.
Speaking on the Grant, Mayor Michael Nicholson expressed high hopes for the new project, “This funding will do a lot of good in helping us improve our public safety efforts and our work to create a new community center at the Waterford Street School location. Thank you to Director Gobi, Rep. Zlotnik, and all of our state partners for their efforts to give local governments the tools they need to be successful. I would also like to thank our City’s Director of Technology, Bob O’Keefe, for his efforts in writing and obtaining this funding for the City.”
“The immediate benefit will be the police will have access to school cameras from the Police Station. Future benefits include faster internet and greater internet connectivity.” said Gardner Director of Information Technology Bob O’Keefe, “The fiber connection to the former Waterford School will bring Internet Service without a monthly recurring cost. This will save our Senior Center approx. $60,000 over the next ten years. The savings will also be available for the non-profits that will be in that building. With the fiber the City’s Tech Dept will be able to monitor and maintain its computers, phones, and security without leaving City Hall.”
The Municipal Fiber Grant Program offers competitive grants to support the closing of critical gaps that exist in municipal networks. Awards are focused on connecting municipality-owned facilities and assisting municipalities in achieving critical goals associated with their fiber networks, including protection from the growing risk of cyber security exploits targeting local government, the expansion of remote work and meeting the expectations of constituents who enjoy the convenience of interacting with government online.
State Representative Jon Zlotnik also voiced his opinion of the importance of the grant, stating, “These funds from the state are important Mayor Mike Nicholson and Anne Gobi, Massachusetts Director of Rural Affairs at the Grant Award Ceremony for the Commonwealth Community Compact Municipal Fiber Grant Award Ceremony. Director Gobi presented the awards on behalf of the Healey-Driscoll Administrationto make sure Gardner’s IT infrastructure is capable of serving its purpose to the fullest, and is secure. These systems are critical to the operations of the City and the services it provides, so these investments are equally important.”
The substantial funding received through the Community Municipal Fiber Grant Program will pave the way for an essential communication upgrade in the city, enabling crucial connections between the School Department, The Police Department, The Senior Center, and the connection to the Radio Repeater. With this integration, the city has taken a significant step towards streamlining its IT infrastructure management. By adopting a unified approach encompassing network monitoring, cyber security, records management, backup and recovery, this development will provide for an improved communications environment amongst crucial city departments.
Representatives of Cities and Towns who were awarded grants from the Commonwealth Community Compact Municipal Fiber Grant Program gather with Massachusetts Rural Affairs Director Anne Gobi as awards are announced. Mayor Nicholson represented the City of Gardner at the ceremony.
“Having reliable communication is important for delivering quality emergency response to the citizens as well as providing a critical safety lifeline to first responders” said Fire Chief Greg Lagoy, going into detail about the importance of the connection to the radio repeater for first responders. “The City is in the process of making upgrades to the site, including the installation of a new communications equipment shelter building. This new fiber connection will provide a dedicated, reliable connection for radio, data, and security systems from the repeater site to the City’s Public Safety agencies and the Central Dispatch Center at the Police Station. This is an excellent upgrade for the City, and will provide future expansion capability for emerging technology in Public Safety communication systems.”
This project continues the progress that the City has made in connecting its municipal buildings to one fiberoptic network. Currently, Gardner City Hall, Gardner Fire Headquarters, and the Gardner Police Headquarters are all connected by fiberoptic cable.
City Council President Elizabeth Kazinskas added “The installation of these services is costly and essential, and the receipt of this grant is a financial and operational win for our city. Rep. Zlotnik and our State partners continue to recognize our needs in Gardner, and in this instance have rewarded our active pursuit for assistance to improve infrastructure – many, many thanks to them.”
In this round of funding, $4 million was given as grants to benefit 32 municipalities and school districts across Massachusetts.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
OFFICE OF MAYOR MICHAEL NICHOLSON:
Colin Smith, Executive Aide to the Mayor
978-630-1490
OFFICE OF STATE REPRESENTATIVE JON ZLOTNIK
Nolan King, Legislative Aide
OFFICE OF CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT ELIZABETH KAZINSKAS
Hometown Financial Group, parent company of bankHometown, announced today that it was named a 2023 Financial Services Industry Top Workplaces national award winner.
This award is based solely on feedback from employees of participating workplaces, gathered through an anonymous, third-party survey administered by Energage, LLC, a leading provider of technology-based employee engagement tools. Top Workplaces Industry awards celebrate organizations that have built a people-first workplace culture and mark them as an employer of choice within their sector.
This is the second year in a row that bankHometown’s parent company has been recognized nationally in the financial services industry category. The company also was named a national Top Workplaces USA winner as well as a Hartford Courant Top Workplaces winner in 2022.
“To be nationally recognized as an employer of choice in financial services is a tremendous honor, particularly since it’s the direct result of feedback from those who know us best: our employees,” said bankHometown President and CEO Robert J. Morton. “I’m proud of our employees’ passion and dedication to helping our customers, our communities, and each other unlock their potential, every day. As an employer, we’re equally committed to nurturing an environment where everyone feels valued and respected, and where employees can unlock their own potential, personally and professionally.”
“Earning a Top Workplaces award is a badge of honor for companies, especially because it comes authentically from their employees,” said Eric Rubino, Energage CEO. “That’s something to be proud of. In today’s market, leaders must ensure that employees have a voice and are heard. That’s paramount. Top Workplaces do this, and it pays dividends.”
About Hometown Financial Group Hometown Financial Group is a $4.5 billion mutual multi-bank holding company headquartered in Easthampton, Massachusetts, and is the parent company of bankESB, bankHometown, and Abington Bank. For more information, visit bankHFG.com.
About bankHometown Founded in 1889, bankHometown is headquartered in Oxford, Massachusetts and has $1.3 billion in assets and 16 branches located throughout Central Massachusetts and northeast Connecticut. Through its sponsorship and charitable giving program, The Giving Tree, bankHometown and the Hometown Bank Community Foundation support non-profit organizations and causes throughout Worcester and Windham Counties. In 2022, The Giving Tree donated approximately $320,000 and over the last decade has donated more than $2.5 million. For more information, visit bankhometown.com.
First chamber of commerce in Massachusetts and New England to be recognized with this prestigious national honor
Salt Lake City, Utah — The Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) has recognized the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce as 2023 Chamber of the Year. The award was announced during the ACCE’s annual convention held on August 1, in Salt Lake City, Utah, and positions the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce as the first chamber of commerce in Massachusetts and New England to receive the prestigious award.
“The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce is honored and humbled to be named the 2023 Chamber of the Year,” said Roy Nascimento, president & CEO of the chamber. “We are very proud to bring this award home to our region and to the Commonwealth. This recognition exemplifies the spirit of collaboration and collective action that lives within North Central Massachusetts and the dedication of our hard-working staff, our engaged board of directors, our community partners and the many diverse businesses that make up our membership.”
Chamber of the Year is the most prestigious and competitive award in the chamber industry and recognizes chambers that demonstrate excellence in operations, member services and community leadership. Based in Alexandria, Va., ACCE has more than 1,600 chambers of commerce and related business and economic development organizations as members, representing more than 9,000 professionals in the industry.
“Chambers of commerce play an increasingly vital role in promoting regional prosperity,” said ACCE President & CEO Sheree Anne Kelly. “Earning this pinnacle achievement reflects their commitment and drive to ensure the vibrancy of their communities and organizational success. Congratulations on the North Central Massachusetts Chamber’s outstanding leadership, dedication to its community and serving as a role model for the chamber profession.”
“This award is a testament to not only the quality of the Chamber’s programs and initiatives, but its impact on our region as well,” said James Vander Hooven, president, Mount Wachusett Community College and chair of the Chamber’s board of directors. “I’ve witnessed the impact the Chamber provides firsthand from my time on the board and as a leader of a member organization. From helping support entrepreneurs with loans and technical assistance to marketing the region as a destination for visitors and groups to championing important public investments, the Chamber’s efforts benefit everyone who calls North Central Massachusetts home.”
ACCE previously named the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce as a finalist for Chamber of the Year recognition in 2017 and 2021. For the 2023 award, the Chamber presented a number of innovative programs for consideration, including its efforts to engage and support Latinx small businesses, partnerships built to support talent and workforce development in the region, as well as the Chamber’s efforts to update and transform the Johnny Appleseed Visitor Center from a highway rest stop into a unique and inclusive anchor destination showcasing the region and helping advance the economy. The recognition also comes just a few months after the North Central Massachusetts Chamber was awarded five-star accreditation by the Accrediting Board of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for its operations and initiatives.
The Chamber of the Year award’s multi-stage selection process starts with an initial operations benchmark, where chambers must meet minimum thresholds in key performance areas. Qualifying chambers are then invited to submit a written application addressing all aspects of organizational operations and programmatic work. Finalists are invited to interview before a panel of experienced chamber professionals.
“Our city and region are truly grateful for the economic partnership that brings business and tourist dollars to our area,” said Mayor Stephen DiNatale of Fitchburg. “The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce is deserving of this prestigious honor and the City of Fitchburg offers a resounding congratulations for this accomplishment.”
“The North Central Massachusetts Chamber has been a great resource to us in the Chair City,” said Mayor Michael Nicholson of Gardner. “From partnering with us on the new Business Development Fund, marketing initiatives for the region, and more, the Chamber does tremendous work and I’m looking forward to that work continuing in the future. Congratulations from all of us in Gardner!”
“The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce is a strong partner that regularly collaborates with the city in multiple ways to advance our economy,” said Mayor Dean Mazzarella of Leominster. “I am so glad others have finally recognized what we already knew—that we have the best chamber of commerce in the country!”
The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce develops and delivers a wide variety of programs and services designed to bolster the local economy and support businesses of all shapes and sizes, from large corporations to small startups. The Chamber views itself as a connector, facilitator, advocate, thought leader and partner to businesses, organizations and communities in the region. In addition to providing services and programs for its member organizations, the Chamber also leads regional economic development and tourism efforts through its affiliate organizations the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation and Visit North Central Massachusetts along with its education and workforce efforts through the North Central Massachusetts Chamber Foundation.
“At the North Central Massachusetts Chamber, we strongly believe in continuous improvement, and the Chamber of the Year nomination process is a great opportunity for introspection and evaluation of our operations and the work we are doing. While we are thrilled to be recognized and celebrated nationally by our peers, the real value results in making us a better chamber and propels us to move forward,” said Nascimento. “This award also reflects the Chamber and business community’s commitment to improving the quality of life in North Central Massachusetts. Our work is a collaborative effort not possible by any single entity, and we are very thankful for our many partnerships with businesses, government, non-profits, educational institutions and many more.”
The origins of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce can be traced back to the early 1900s with the formation of chambers of commerce in Leominster and Fitchburg. In 1984, the boards of directors of both organizations, along with several smaller business groups, voted to regionalize and merged to form the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. The chamber has since evolved into the region’s leading economic development and business advocacy organization. Today, the Chamber serves nearly 700 leading businesses and organizations that employ over 25,000 people in the twenty-seven communities that comprise North Central Massachusetts.
Fitchburg, MA | Chamber of Commerce | North Central Massachusetts | North Central Massachusetts Chamber | Worcester County | Massachusetts #1 Ranking | Massachusetts Achievements | 40th Anniversary | 40th Anniversary | 2023 Chamber of the Year
