Ms. Lawson’s 6th grade students and ASNCM CEO Lori A. Richardson pose with over 1,100 socks that will be given to the aging community of North Central Massachusetts
Aging Services of North Central Massachusetts (ASNCM) is pleased to announce that St. Anna Catholic School of 213 Lancaster Street in Leominster generously gave a donation of over 1,100 pairs of socks to the aging community of North Central Massachusetts.
Traditionally referred to as “Socks for Santa”, ASNCM annually collaborates with Mrs. Denise Lawson’s 6th grade class. Each winter, Mrs. Lawson and her students raised well over a thousand pairs of socks thanks to the generous donations by everyone around.
“We (St Anna School) encourage and teach our students to help those in our community and show empathy by doing”, said Denise Lawson. “Our Socks for Santa drive is just one way we work together as a school community to help those around us.”
“We are so very grateful to Mrs. Lawson and her 6th grade class at St. Anna’s School. The caring spirit of these children and their families is profound and inspiring. Their generosity will have a positive impact on older adults in our community”, stated Lori A. Richardson, ASNCM’s Chief Executive Officer.
Business or community members interested in learning more about ASNCM should visit www.AgingServicesMA.org or contact David Ginisi, Chief Marketing Officer, at (978) 466-1571 or via email at .
Source: State House News Service Author: Chris Lisinski
Total employment in Massachusetts rebounded to pre-pandemic levels in January, 34 months after the COVID-19 state of emergency began, as employers added a robust 19,600 jobs.
The January gains brought the statewide employment to 3,743,500, labor officials announced Friday. That’s just 200 positions short of the total recorded in February 2020, the last month before a cascade of enormous job losses followed by a jobs recovery.
The industry with the biggest growth was education and health services, which employed 5,000 more people month-over-month. Other sectors with gains include trade, transportation and utilities (+3,200 jobs), leisure and hospitality (+3,000 jobs), and professional, scientific and business services (+2,300 jobs).
None of the industry categories tracked reported a net decrease in jobs in January; financial activities experienced no change.
Officials on Friday also revised December’s labor data to show an increase of 3,800 jobs, down from the original estimate of 6,300.
The revision bumped up the statewide unemployment rate in December from 3.3 percent to 3.7 percent, and officials said that figure fell to 3.6 percent in January. Massachusetts had a slightly higher unemployment rate in January than the 3.4 percent reported for the country as a whole.
Chamber of Commerce | North Central Massachusetts | North Central Massachusetts Chamber | Massachusetts Economy | Government Affairs | State House News Service | Jobs In Massachusetts
WORCESTER, Mass. – The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts announces the opening of its 2023 Synergy Initiative and Activation Fund grant opportunities to target community-identified health issues and support innovative approaches to addressing health issues in the region.
The Synergy Initiative provides multiple years of funding (approximately $2 million in total funding over roughly five years) for collaborative projects that address health issues in Central Massachusetts with integrated, comprehensive strategies focused on systems change. The Activation Fund supports discrete, one-year projects in Central Massachusetts (typically between $60,000 and $120,000) aimed at helping move an organization to its next level of capacity and effectiveness that can be sustained over time.
The Foundation does not name specific health issues or priority areas, instead looking to community-based organizations to identify health issues and potential solutions. Information sessions outlining each program’s funding goals, eligibility criteria, and application processes will be held in February and March.
“Since its launch in 1999, The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts has been committed to improving the health of those who live or work in Central Massachusetts. We look forward to this next round of Synergy Initiative and Activation Fund grants as an opportunity to further our impact in the region, and we are especially excited to pilot several innovative activities aimed at supporting smaller, newer organizations interested in our grant opportunities,” said Dr. Amie Shei, President and CEO of the Foundation.
The deadlines for submission of initial application materials are April 12 for the Activation Fund and July 12 for the Synergy Initiative. To learn more about both grant opportunities and register for an upcoming information session, please visit the Foundation’s website at www.hfcm.org.
In 2023, the Foundation is also piloting several equity-related initiatives aimed at increasing access to the Foundation’s Activation Fund grant opportunity and helping smaller organizations build capacity.
For those with limited English proficiency, interpretation and translation services will be available for virtual information sessions when requested in advance through the registration process. For small organizations with limited grant development capacity and experience, the Foundation is offering technical assistance focused on the Activation Fund through an outside consultant for up to five applicants.
Organizations with annual operating budgets less than $500,000 will also be eligible to request up to 10% of direct project costs for unrestricted, supplemental support aimed at building capacity. These pilots will be evaluated to assess effectiveness and to inform future implementation. To learn more about these opportunities, please visit the Foundation’s website. Applications for the technical assistance pilot are due by February 17.
Foundation staff is available to assist throughout the application process for both funding opportunities by discussing project ideas and providing feedback. To schedule a consultation for the Synergy Initiative, contact Dr. Kathy Mills, Vice President for Programs (), and for the Activation Fund contact Jennie Blake, Senior Program Officer ().
About The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts
The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts uses its grantmaking resources to improve the health of those who live or work in the Central Massachusetts region, with particular emphasis on vulnerable populations and unmet needs. The Foundation was established in 1999 with the proceeds from the sale of Central Massachusetts Health Care, Inc., a physician-initiated, not-for-profit HMO. The Foundation has assets of approximately $80 million and has awarded grants totaling over $52 million since it began its grantmaking in 2000. For more information, visit www.hfcm.org.
State and local leaders tour a local manufacturer. Pictured are Mayor Dean Mazzarella of the City of Leominster; State Senator Michael Rodrigues, Chair of the Ways & Means Committee; and Senator John Cronin.
One of the most valuable and often overlooked functions of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce is the role as the region’s most powerful champion for the business community. The Chamber is uniquely positioned at the crossroads that connect businesses of all sizes and industries, non-profits, and local and state government to tackle the tough issues and get things done to ensure businesses can succeed and thrive in the region.
“I see our Chamber as both a respected facilitator and a strong networking hub,” said Mark Freeman, President, SteelFab, Inc., located on Crawford Street in Fitchburg. “The Chamber staff advocate and facilitate movements in an effective way, and they are excellent at using their relationships within local and state government and in the community to get the right people to the right meeting so we can get things done.”
And Freeman should know. As a longtime business owner in Fitchburg, Freeman, along with dozens of other business owners, worked with the Chamber to achieve a single tax rate in the city of Fitchburg following years of daunting work with little progress. “We never really made a ton of progress over the years going from a spilt tax rate to a single tax rate, but experienced incremental reductions,” he said.
Following more than 30 years of fighting what Freeman called an “uphill battle,” the Fitchburg City Council adopted a single tax rate with an 8-2 vote in 2019. “I believe we achieved this because the Chamber was very active to not only engage with candidates running for office, but by also then inviting the candidates who won their respective seats to meet with us as business owners and hear our concerns. The Chamber really leaned into this for us, and I think this achievement is a huge development for the city and region.”
Not only did the Chamber help facilitate discussions to achieve the single tax rate, which affected all businesses in the city, it also helps individual and clusters of businesses who experience a challenge and need some extra advocacy.
Take Crawford Street in Fitchburg, which is home to more than 20 businesses and some one-and-a-half miles of telephone pole wires, all of which did not provide high-speed internet services until 2017. Up until then, businesses on this well-traveled road were forced to deal with unreliable and weak service which affected their operations and daily business tasks. “We really needed the high speed internet to make our businesses run smoothly, but we just couldn’t get it to work with our service providers,” said Freeman. “The Chamber reached out to Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale and other advocates to have the service providers take a fresh look at what we needed. In the end, Mayor DiNatale was able to help bridge the gap to obtain the service with the state and help us get the bandwidth we needed, and the Chamber never wavered in their commitment to help us.”
The Chamber organizes numerous opportunities to connect members and elected officials. Pictured here (L-R) are Representative Michael Kushmerek; Chris Hendry, President of IC Credit Union; John DiNapoli of Unitil; Governor Maura Healey; Roy Nascimento, President of the Chamber; and Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early, Jr. at the Chamber’s Legislative Reception.
Freeman added that if the pandemic occurred when the former service was in use there likely would not be a business today. “Without the high-speed internet, we wouldn’t have been able to serve our customers by providing virtual inspections, use our systems and honestly just get work done, so we are happy to have the service and I know our neighbors on the street are happy about it as well.”
As Freeman pointed out, the Chamber is a “networking hub,” providing numerous opportunities through the year for members to come together at various events, forums and meetings. The goal with these programs is to make sure that members are informed and have a voice in the decisions that impact the communities in North Central Massachusetts. And, on occasion, the Chamber will also partner with other trade associations to advance an issue important to members or hire outside experts and commission studies on issues that impact the local economy and the future of the region, such as the current labor shortage.
In late 2022, the Chamber released a study, “Worker Shortages and the North Central Massachusetts Region: Engaging Hidden and Future Workers to Grow the Local Economy,” which was prepared by the UMass Donahue Institute’s Economic and Public Policy Research group, a leading provider of applied research to help clients make more informed decisions about strategic economic and public policy issues. Focusing on workforce growth challenges and solutions, the study outlines workforce barriers related to geography, skills, structure, and work-life balance, and includes short-, mid- and long-term recommendations for how to grow the North Central workforce.
“The study was intended to help shape public policy and advance thoughtful solutions to the labor challenges faced by our members,” said Travis Condon, Public Affairs Manager, North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. “The challenges and issues are very complex and have long-term implications for the region’s future and our ability to compete for talent.” One of the recommendations require all different community stakeholders in North Central to work together to meet the regions work force needs.
Local, state and federal officials joined members to celebrate renovations to the Johnny Appleseed Visitors Center, a project that was championed by the Chamber. Pictured (L-R) are Representatives Natalie Higgins; Meghan Kilcoyne; and Michael Kushmerek.
“As manufacturing is such a huge percentage of our local regional employment base, I’ve worked with the Chamber to engage with high schools and other grade levels on providing opportunities to tour our facility, offer mock job interview experiences, and bring mini-trade shows to school cafeterias during lunch to help spark an interest in the field,” said Freeman. “We owe it to the students to know of the opportunities available to them and the Chamber does a great job of collaborating with local businesses, superintendents and guidance counselors to bring these opportunities to our students and ultimately, help us meet our work force needs.”
Freeman noted the Chamber’s WorkNorthCentral Jobs Board as another great resource for employers and job seekers alike. “This website offers a job seeker the opportunity to view any number of jobs at a variety of employers, which is helpful for us and for those looking for work.”
Tamar Russell Brown, founder of Sitka Creations, a graphic design studio in Shirley providing clients with creative and effective graphic and web design and visual communication services, said she believes she would not be where she is today without the Chamber.
In addition to her location in Shirley, Russell Brown used to have a gallery on Main Street in downtown Fitchburg. The Chamber helped secure funding in concert with NewVue Communities to open the Gallery in 2016.
Upon opening her gallery on Main Street, she realized the sidewalk was uneven and needed repairs as many people in the older population were visiting the gallery and she was worried the sidewalk was not safe for her visitors. “I called the city and didn’t get the immediate attention we needed so I reached out to Chamber who helped get the issue resolved,” she recalled. “The Department of Public Works came out and fixed my sidewalk, so it really shows the power of the Chamber to help small businesses get what they need.”
When it comes to guiding its advocacy efforts, the Chamber only needs to look to its member-led Government Affairs Committee. This non-partisan committee meets to discuss local, state and federal priorities and is comprised of members from diverse industries. It is responsible for reviewing pending issues for their impact, developing positions and advising the staff and Board on programs that inform and encourage member involvement in its government affairs initiatives.
A delegation of Chamber members meets with Senator Anne Gobi at the State House to discuss legislative priorities.
In addition to the Chamber’s highly popular Legislative and Candidates Reception held each fall before Election Day and an annual Congressional Luncheon which compliments the quarterly Good Morning North Central breakfast series, the Chamber offers opportunities throughout the year to bring together the region’s elected officials, and business and community leaders to discuss topics that matter to them.
An active participant in many of the Chamber’s events, including a recent interview during the Good Morning North Central breakfast series, State Senator John J. Cronin has seen the work of the Chamber firsthand and the environment of collaboration to bring stakeholders from multiple areas together to achieve a common goal.
“From the North Central region to Beacon Hill, the Chamber is known for being an influential voice and an organization that gets things done,” said Sen. Cronin. “As a representative of several of the communities that make up North Central, I appreciate that my constituents have advocates at the Chamber engaging with policy leaders who impact businesses on a daily basis, and I always have my door open to the Chamber to help make connections and build relationships to help our businesses succeed and thrive.”
And businesses are thriving. Russell Brown just celebrated her 20th anniversary in business. “The Chamber knows you and they are such a huge part of the community by bringing so many of us together for after-hours events and networking,” she said. “If you are a member of the community and not involved with the Chamber you would have no idea of the many opportunities that exist for you.”
“This Chamber is where the rubber meets the road,” said Freeman. “There’s a million things the Chamber does, from resources for local businesses to help financing startups and they do it exceptionally well which is evidenced by the many awards and recognitions over the years.” In 2021, the Chamber was a finalist for “Chamber of the Year in the U.S.”
But, as Freeman adds, “We know we have one of the best quality chambers anywhere in the country.”
As a member, you have all of the Chamber’s resources and connections at your fingertips, and we encourage you to take advantage of that benefit and stay connected. If you have an issue or policy concern that you believe the Chamber should be aware of, please reach out to Travis Condon at 978.353.7600 ext. 224 or email him at .
Chamber of Commerce | North Central Massachusetts | Economic Development | North Central Massachusetts Chamber | Massachusetts Business | New England Town | Small Town Economy | Worcester County | Local Business | Community Development | Rural Economy | Massachusetts Industry | Business Growth | Quality of Life | Economic Diversity
The Chamber is pleased to announce the appointment of Tom Meyers as a Senior Marketing Advisor. In this part-time position, he will be responsible for assisting with marketing strategy, managing media buying and copy-writing for the Chamber and its affiliate organizations – Visit North Central Massachusetts and the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation.
Meyers comes to the Chamber with years of extensive marketing experience. He was the long-time marketing director at Wachusett Mountain Ski Area before semi-retiring in 2021. He continues to work in a part-time Marketing Advisor role at the ski area, as well. Tom is very familiar with the Chamber and our affiliate organizations, having partnered with us in the past on marketing campaigns and having served in the past on the Board of Directors of Visit North Central Massachusetts. Tom has been a long-time advocate of statewide tourism, working closely with the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism and as chair of the Massachusetts Ski Areas Association Marketing Committee. He is also a past winner of MOTT’s Legend of Tourism Award. Earlier in his career he served as the Marketing Director for the Vermont Ski Association.
“I am excited to have Tom join our team. He will be a great help in supporting our efforts to promote our members and the communities of North Central Massachusetts, particularly given our recent growth,” said Roy Nascimento, President & CEO of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. “His experience, connections and industry knowledge will make a positive contribution to our efforts to advance the regional economy.”
He holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Hobart College. He has been a resident of Princeton since 1996. Members can reach out to Tom at 978.353.7600 ext. 226 or via email at .
Fitchburg | Chamber of Commerce | North Central Massachusetts | North Central Massachusetts Chamber | Tom Meyers | Chamber of Commerce | New Hire | Senior Marketing Advisor
The next edition of the Chamber’s Good Morning North Central breakfast series is scheduled for Friday, March 10, 2023 from 6:45 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and will take place at Great Wolf Lodge, 150 Great Wolf Drive, Fitchburg, MA. The March edition is sponsored by Aging Services of North Central Massachusetts.
The March edition will feature a presentation from Dr. Richard Lapidus, President of Fitchburg State University on the efforts to renovate the theater block in Downtown Fitchburg into a regional destination and education center.
In addition, Larry Cassassa of the Twin Cities Rail Trail Association will present on the newly constructed Twin Cities Rail Trail. The first portion of the trail officially opened in June for biking, walking and jogging. The pathway runs along Route 12 and connects Downtown Leominster and Downtown Fitchburg. Future phases are planned to extend the trail.
The Good Morning North Central breakfast series is the Chamber’s longest running program. The breakfast series started in 1984 and has evolved into a high-profile, fast-paced and educational morning program geared towards executives, senior managers, professionals and business owners from throughout North Central Massachusetts. Over the years, speakers have included governors, senators, prominent business and civic leaders, authors and celebrities.
The cost to attend the event is just $30 for Chamber members/$45 non-members and includes breakfast. Pre-registration is required. For more information or to register, please contact Kathleen Deal at 978.353.7600 ext. 235, or visit www.northcentralmass.com.
Fitchburg, MA | Chamber of Commerce | North Central Massachusetts | North Central Massachusetts Chamber | Chamber Events and Programs | Good Morning North Central
Fitchburg Creative Cities Partnership is proud to announce the launch of its “Dream It, Create It” Grant Program for 2023, with a focus on supporting placemaking/placekeeping projects in Fitchburg’s neighborhoods. The program aims to directly involve and impact residents, visitors, and businesses, and to advance Fitchburg as one of the most culturally unique and creative cities in America.
The program is open to individuals and organizations across the city, but projects that aim to activate underutilized public spaces in downtown Fitchburg or demonstrate a meaningful connection to the downtown will be given priority.
“We believe that placemaking and placekeeping are essential for building strong, vibrant communities, and we’re excited to support projects that bring people together and make our city a better place,” said Derek Craig, Program Manager of Fitchburg Creative Cities Partnership.
Placemaking, according to the Project for Public Spaces, is “the creation of quality public spaces that contribute to people’s health, happiness, and well-being.” Placekeeping, as defined by the USDAC, is “the active care and maintenance of a place and its social fabric by the people who live and work there.”
For the “Dream It, Create It” Grant Program, the goal is to use arts and culture to shape the physical and social character of a place, to spur economic development, promote enduring social change, and improve the physical environment. Successful projects will involve diverse partners, such as neighborhood residents, businesses, non-profits, places of worship, and government agencies, and artists should be involved in the planning, execution, and activity.
“We’re looking for projects that use creative approaches to activate underutilized places into something useful, beautiful, and vibrant for the district,” added Joe Ferguson of Intown Fitchburg. “Successful creative placemaking and placekeeping projects attract people, and this becomes the catalyst for other improvements.”
The “Dream It, Create It” Grant Program will award up to $50,000 in funding to support placemaking/placekeeping projects in Fitchburg’s neighborhoods. Applications will be accepted starting on February 24, 2023, and the deadline for submissions is March 31, 2023. Award recipients will be announced on April 7, 2023. Interested individuals and organizations can learn more and apply by visiting https://smr.to/p87388
About Dream It, Create It Grant Program
This grant program is facilitated by the Fitchburg Creative Cities Partnership and is funded by MassDevelopment’s Transformative Development Initiative (TDI) Creative Cities program. Made possible by the Barr Foundation, TDI Creative Cities is working to build a sustainable artistic and cultural infrastructure within cities as a mechanism for supporting economic growth.
OXFORD, MASSACHUSETTS – bankHometown and its employees recently made donations totaling more than $22,000 to three United Way organizations in Central Massachusetts.
Employees pledged more than $19,000 of their own funds in support of the bank’s United Way workplace campaign. Combined with the bank’s direct contribution, the campaign total of $22,485 will be divided among the United Way organizations of Central, North Central, and South Central Massachusetts as determined by the employees. The campaign provides employees with the opportunity to donate and direct funds, advocating for causes that are most important to them.
As a long-time contributor to the United Way, the bank and its employees have donated nearly $150,000 to United Way organizations in Central Massachusetts through the workplace campaign and donations to other United Way-related campaigns, events, and initiatives.
The United Way is a volunteer-driven organization that serves residents through its own programs and services as well as those of its partner agencies. The organization works to advance the common good by focusing on the building blocks for a good life – education, financial stability, health, and basic needs.
“United Way provides much-needed support to our friends and neighbors throughout Central Massachusetts,” said bankHometown President and CEO Robert J. Morton. “bankHometown and our employees are proud to support the organization in its mission to unlock the full potential of our communities.”
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 2021, The Giving Tree donated nearly $288,000 and over the last decade has donated more than $2.3 million. For more information, visit bankhometown.com.
POSTPONED DUE TO WEATHER: New Date – Thursday, March 2, 2023 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
River Styx Brewing in Fitchburg will partner with the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce to host the Chamber’s February edition of the Business After Hours series. The event will take place on Thursday, February 23, 2023 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at River Styx Brewing located at 166 Boulder Drive in Fitchburg.
River Styx is a popular brewery founded in 2017 by craft beer-lovers Scott and Jackie Cullen. Their main priority is to create flavorful malt beverages. The brewery is a family and pet-friendly destination in the heart of Fitchburg.
Complimentary appetizers and a cash bar will be provided by River Styx as guests connect with old friends and meet new contacts.
“River Styx is really excited to host the Chamber and welcome business and community leaders to our brewery,” said Jackie Cullen, Co-Owner. “We are a small family owned and operated business that is very proud to be a part of the community. We look forward to showcasing our brewery and hope that local business leaders will be able to join us for this fun business event.”
“We are excited to partner with the River Styx Brewing to offer members and their guests the opportunity to network in this wonderful venue,” said Roy M. Nascimento, President and CEO of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. “One of the goals of the Chamber is to offer these types of programs that offer members the opportunity to network with their peers and that also showcase the unique attractions that call North Central Massachusetts home.”
The cost to attend is $15 for chamber members and $25 for non-members, with registration available online at www.northcentralmass.com.
Fitchburg, MA | Chamber of Commerce | North Central Massachusetts | North Central Massachusetts Chamber | Chamber Events and Programs | Business After Hours
Put your strength to the test and fundraise for NEADS at the same time by taking part in NEADS Pulling 4 Paws Truck Pull. Money raised by participating teams support our mission of providing independence to more clients through our World Class Service Dogs.
Teams of 15 will compete at Polar Park to see who can pull an 18-wheeler – sponsored by Polar Beverages – the fastest. There’s some friendly competition among different divisions – police, fire, businesses, schools (sports teams, clubs, or other groups are welcome!), to name a few. The winners score bragging rights, and everyone helps NEADS provide life-changing Service and Assistance Dogs to those who need them most.
Enter a team We invite you to bring a team of 15 colleagues and friends together and see if you’ve got what it takes. Entry fee is $500 with a recommended fundraising goal of $2,500. NEADS staff will be working closely with each team to help them make their goal. Space is limited, so sign up soon while there’s still room to participate.
Clinton Savings Bank is much more than a community bank. With 6 branch locations (Berlin, Bolton, Boylston, Clinton, Sterling, West Boylston) and a seventh opening next year in Shrewsbury, Clinton Savings has a major impact throughout Central Massachusetts.
Clinton Savings Bank also has a rich history in the business community, opening its door 171 years ago in 1851. With 104 employees, the Bank takes great pride in its banking team.
“We are fortunate to have employees that believe in our mission and possess the skill set of reliability, problem-solving, willingness to learn and to ask questions and most importantly teamwork,” said Robert J. Paulhus, Jr., President & CEO. “Our average tenure is nine years with our longest employee being with us for 43 years.”
Paulhus added that Clinton Savings Bank’s work place culture is a collection of attitudes, beliefs and behaviors that make up the regular atmosphere in a work environment. “We know that a healthy workplace aligns employee behaviors and company policies with the overall goals of the Bank, he said. “After almost two years of disruption and social fragmentation we continue to create an environment that our employees can be happy and engaged in when working.
Since COVID, Paulhus noted the Bank has adapted to a more flexible hybrid work model, created new personal employee experiences – expanded the employee recognition programs and invested in new technology to help every employee feel more connected and inspired.
Recognizing the past two years have been rough for the business community, however Paulhus is very optimistic about the future. “Clinton Savings Bank is well-positioned for continued growth and success,” he said. “We will continue to enhance the customer experience, improve capabilities, and create opportunities for future growth. Our vision and mission statements keep us aligned to what’s most important — the well-being of our customers and the communities that we serve.”
Paulhus added that working in a diverse mix of towns in North Central Massachusetts helps represent a “community feel and bind which is what community banking is all about — having the best interest of others in mind and forming personal relationships with customers.”
He feels the Bank’s longevity and trust it has built with its customers is what sets Clinton Savings Bank apart from its competition. “We have shown our commitment to the people we serve by giving back, whether, it’s monetary or our employees volunteering at non-profit organizations or town events,” Paulus said. “We’ve never closed any of our locations and continue to invest in the towns we serve.”
He also echoed a great sense of pride in how Clinton Savings Bank supports the communities it serves. “We think of ourselves as ‘relationship’ bankers as opposed to ‘transactional’ bankers, said Paulhus. “We are an integral part of downtown and we know what it takes to be a community bank. Being a part of the local neighborhoods for over 170 years we have that specialized knowledge of our local neighborhoods and our customers.” A great example of that support is the Bank’s two full-service branches at Tahanto Regional High School and Nashoba Regional High School operated by the students in the banking program and managed by a CSB Relationship Banker.
While Clinton Savings uses multiple marketing channels to promote itself, Paulhus said “Word of mouth is marketing that you cannot beat.” “We are fortunate to have dedicated employees and a corporator body made up of some great local business people that are on the streets talking about the Bank and encouraging folks to try us,” he added.
Like many businesses today, Clinton Savings Bank relies heavily on digital marketing, as well. “Since the onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic there has been a shift from using mostly traditional marketing to using mostly digital marketing.” Paulhus noted. “Tools like our website, email, social media, and web-based advertising, along with text and multimedia messages allow us to send more personalized offers and services to match people in different stages of their lives and needs, in real time with a lower cost per lead and higher conversion rate.”
Paulhus said the Bank’s customers are by far its strongest influence. “They have a huge influence on the success of the Bank or any business in today’s digital age,” he concluded. “They can share their experience either good or bad within seconds using online tools. Having a customer base that is loyal and engaged will drive revenues; without them, businesses cannot continue to exist.”
Clinton, MA | Clinton Savings Bank | Chamber of Commerce | North Central Massachusetts | North Central Massachusetts Chamber | Chamber Member | Massachusetts Business | Worcester County | Member Spotlight
Pittsfield, MA –Berkshire Bank, a leading socially responsible community-dedicated bank with financial center locations in New England and New York, announced more than $2.8 million in Foundation philanthropic investments during 2022. During the fourth quarter of 2022 (October 1- December 31), more than $764,000 was contributed to help the communities Berkshire Bank serves. The grants awarded cover a wide range of projects that help foster upward economic mobility, support overall well-being, and enhance opportunities for individual and small business success, particularly for underrepresented populations. The investments also support the Company’s BEST Community Comeback which includes a planned $15 million in community contributions by the end of 2024.
In total, Berkshire’s Foundation assisted 155 nonprofit organizations during the fourth quarter of 2022 through grants supporting a wide range of critical projects like food insecurity, health, wellness, homelessness, educational advancement, arts, culture, diversity, and inclusion. The Berkshire Bank Foundation is committed to supporting programs that work toward providing equitable opportunities for economic prosperity. In addition, the Foundation supports programs that align with Berkshire Bank’s Center for Women, Wellness, and Wealth (CWWW) to provide opportunities for women to build a future enriched with financial stability, balance, and growth.
“We are so proud of the impact we have made collectively at Berkshire Bank through our financial support and volunteer service,” said Lori Gazzillo Kiely, Director of the Berkshire Bank Foundation. During 2022, Berkshire Bank employees donated more than 23,000 volunteer hours to help our communities,” she added. Kiely continued, “We are pleased to continue to support non-profits doing great work to positively impact individuals, families, and small businesses within our Berkshire Bank footprint.”
The grant recipients listed below are just a sample of the projects Berkshire Bank has supported to strengthen organizations throughout MA, NY, CT, RI, and VT. They include:
Berkshire Resources for the Integration of Diverse Groups and Education, Inc. (MA)
Berkshire Black Economic Council, Inc. (MA)
Bennington Museum, Inc. (VT)
Columbia County Recovery Kitchen (NY)
Catholic Charities Worcester County (MA)
Cradles to Crayons (MA)
Connecticut Children’s Medical Center Foundation, Inc. (CT)
Disability Policy Consortium (MA)
Double H Ranch (NY)
Fenway Community Development Corporation (MA)
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Lowell (MA)
Hartford Gay & Lesbian Health Collective (CT)
Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless (NY)
Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection (NY)
Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art Foundation, Inc. (MA)
Peoples Equal Action And Community Effort (PEACE) Inc (NY)
Quinebaug Valley Community College Foundation (CT/RI)
Rhode Island Black Storytellers (RI)
Rhode Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (RI)
Rescue Mission of Syracuse (NY)
Salve Regina University (CT/RI)
Sculpture Now (MA)
Springfield Museums (MA)
Thames Valley Council for Community Action, Inc. (CT/RI)
The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, Inc. (MA)
The Reading League, Inc. (NY)
The Springfield Puerto Rican Parade (MA)
The Vermont Food Bank (VT)
UMass Memorial Health Care (MA)
Urban League of Greater Hartford, Inc. (CT)
YMCA of Greater Boston (MA)
Vermont Symphony Orchestra (VT)
Women’s Business Development Council (CT/RI)
Additional details on the Foundation’s grant programs and focus areas can be found at berkshirebank.com/foundation.
