E-Newsletter
An Electronic Publication of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce
Inside this edition, you’ll discover the latest Chamber initiatives and success stories from across our region. From economic development projects and upcoming networking events to policy updates and workforce training opportunities, we’re keeping you connected to what matters most for your business and North Central Massachusetts.
The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce is here to help – with trusted resources, a strong business network, and a support system to keep your business and the region moving forward
Source: State House News Service
Author: Chris Lisinski
The first checks and direct deposits from a nearly $3 billion pot of excess tax revenue will head back to taxpayers starting on Tuesday when the calendar flips to November, the Baker administration announced Friday.
A spokesperson for the Executive Office of Administration and Finance said money will head out the door under the voter-approved tax cap law known as Chapter 62F, which taxpayers triggered for the first time since 1987 by delivering massive amounts of taxes.
About 3 million taxpayers will receive a refund in the form of a mailed check or a direct deposit worth about 14 percent of what they owed in state personal income tax in 2021, the spokesperson said. The administration plans to distribute the refunds on a rolling basis through Dec. 15. The administration had previously estimated refunds of about 13 percent of income tax liabilities.
Taxpayers who owed state personal income tax last year and already filed their 2021 return are eligible and do not need to take any additional steps to receive their refunds.
The administration published a frequently asked questions page online with a calculator that taxpayers can use to estimate their forthcoming refunds.
The Baker administration previously said taxpayers needed to file a 2021 tax return by Oct. 17, 2022 to be eligible for a 62F refund, but a spokesperson said Friday the administration pushed that deadline until Sept. 15, 2023 — which is the latest date possible to file a 2021 tax return when accounting for extensions — to accommodate taxpayers who might not have been aware of the original deadline.
Chamber of Commerce | North Central Massachusetts | North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce | Community Development | Economic Development | Legislative Issues | Government Affairs | Elected Officials
Source: State House News Service
Author: Michael P. Norton
The U.S. economy rebounded in the third quarter, growing at a 2.6 percent annual rate after contracting in the second quarter. The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis released the new real gross domestic product data Thursday morning. Government analysts said increases in exports, and both consumer and government spending fueled the growth. The leading contributors to rising exports of goods and services included industrial supplies and petroleum, and travel and business services. Health care outlays helped drive up consumer spending on services although the Bureau of Economic Analysis also cited a “deceleration in consumer spending.” Defense spending and increases in state and local government employee compensation helped boost overall government expenditures. On the savings front, the personal saving rate, or personal savings as a percentage of disposable personal income, was 3.3 percent in the third quarter, compared with 3.4 percent in the second quarter, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. The economic news comes less than two weeks ahead of the midterm elections and President Joe Biden, who has shouldered blame for soaring inflation and persistently high gas prices, quickly released a statement noting that unemployment in the U.S. stands at a 50-year low and asserting that manufacturing is “booming.” “For months, doomsayers have been arguing that the US economy is in a recession and Congressional Republicans have been rooting for a downturn,” Biden said. “But today we got further evidence that our economic recovery is continuing to power forward. This is a testament to the resilience of the American people.” Beacon Hill Democrats in recent months have cited a possible recession among the concerns that have left them unable to agree on the size and scope of an election-year package of spending measures and tax cuts.
Chamber of Commerce | North Central Massachusetts | North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce | Community Development | Economic Development | Legislative Issues | Government Affairs | Elected Officials
Funding to support start-up costs for new Fitchburg business
The North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation (NCMDC), the economic development arm of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, recently approved a $30,000 loan to Delicious Dips to provide funding toward start-up costs with establishing the business in Fitchburg. Funding created one full-time job in the community.
Delicious Dips, located in Parkhill Plaza on Franklin Road, is a bakery with walk-in retail service featuring smoothies with offers of custom orders of cakes and dipped fruits, among other items.
Owner Paige McNamara worked with the City of Fitchburg and the NCMDC to secure the loan funding and was also provided technical assistance from NewVue Communities Small Business Assistance Program to establish the business.
“The opening of my business is a testament to our community coming together to help someone achieve their dreams of becoming an entrepreneur,” said McNamara. “With this funding from the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation, I was able to build out the business of my dreams, and order supplies and inventory as I opened the business this past summer.”
The business held a grand opening ceremony in July with local dignitaries, community, civic and business leaders in attendance. For more info, visit https://deliciousdipsbypaige.com.
As a microloan lender, NCMDC can provide loans to small businesses up to $250,000 for working capital, real estate, equipment, inventory, expansion and working with our banking partners to provide gap financing for the final piece of a project.
For more information about the NCMDC loan programs, please call 978.353.7607 or visit NorthCentralMass.com or ChooseNorthCentral.com.
Chamber of Commerce | North Central Massachusetts | Worcester County | Local Business | Visit North Central Massachusetts | Delicious Dips
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Live Music, Food, Drinks, and more are coming to Gardner on June 29th!

The concert will feature a live performance by the band 7 Day Weekend, who have made a name for themselves throughout New England for their energetic stage presence and crowd-pleasing covers of popular tunes from the 80s to the present. The band says they intend to create a lively atmosphere that will have attendees dancing and singing along. They will be performing on the front steps of Gardner City Hall from 7pm to 9pm.
Prior to 7 Day Weekend taking the stage, Brandon Furtado, a new, upcoming musician will showcase his talents from 6pm to 7pm.
Food and beverages will be available for purchase at the concert through the participation of several local food trucks, Tavern 13 who will have a full bar, and Moon Hill Brewing, who will be offering beer and wine. City officials said they intend to make the event a fun way to kick off the summer in the city.
“I’m really looking forward to having the community get together to kick off the summer in this new and fun way,” said Mayor Mike Nicholson, “This is sure to be a fun time for everyone who can join.”
Organizers of the event have advised people bring lawn chairs, picnic blankets, or anything they’d like to enjoy a fun time on the City Hall front lawn.
For more information about this event or future events in Gardner, visit www.gardner-ma.gov or follow us on Instagram @cityofgardner and Facebook, Gardner City Hall.
Through a competitively awarded Massachusetts Downtown Initiative (MDI) grant from the Commonwealth, the city of Fitchburg is collaborating with an economic consultant to better understand the habits, preferences and buying patterns of local residents citywide.
The project aims to generate current data that reflects post-pandemic shopping and dining activities taking place in Fitchburg, with a particular focus on the downtown. Once a series of surveys are completed, consultant Peg Barringer of Fine Point Associates will generate a summary report that analyzes the data and presents findings. This information will be useful to existing Fitchburg businesses who seek to better capitalize on local consumers as customers. It also will be beneficial to incoming new businesses or prospective future ones.
In 2017, Fitchburg first became aware of spending leakage by local consumers to surrounding areas, particularly for dining purchases outside the home, during a yearlong process that led to the city’s Economic Development Strategic Plan. Addressing that leakage by cultivating a stronger dining sector has emerged as an ongoing goal. During the nearly five years since that plan’s approval, the [2020-2022] pandemic period of time proved to represent an unprecedented shift in consumer behaviors. As Fitchburg businesses begin to navigate a post-pandemic landscape, a thorough understanding of local preferences and needs will be quite valuable.
If you are a Fitchburg resident, your input regarding the downtown is an important aspect of this project. By taking just 5 minutes to complete a Fitchburg Resident Survey, your feedback will guide economic development efforts moving forward. The survey can be accessed here – https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/downtownfitch.
The city strongly encourages all local residents to participate in this confidential, online survey.
When the workday ends and the lights go down, Custom Cleaning Service of Peabody, Inc. gets to work. “We operate as our clients’ silent partner after business hours,” says Adam Paicos, of Templeton, who now serves as Director of Operations and oversees the company’s expansion into North Central MA. “We are not often seen, but we ensure facilities are clean, secure, and ready for business each day while serving as the eyes and ears for our clients when they are not on site.”
Discover local business stories through our Inside North Central Massachusetts Podcast series. Listen as Chamber members share their journeys, insights, and contributions to our thriving regional business community.
Looking for your next opportunity? Explore current job openings from employers across North Central Massachusetts on our Jobs Board. Whether you’re starting a new career or making a change, you’ll find a variety of local positions available to help you take the next step.
CapEx Facility Services & Construction · Leominster, MA
TaraVista Behavioral Health Center · Harvard, MA
DRS Power Technology, Inc. · Fitchburg, MA
AIS · Leominster, MA