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.

June 2026

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Chamber News

Elect North Central Coalition To Sponsor Gubernatorial Forum on Tuesday, June 7

The Elect North Central Coalition, composed of leading business, educational, media and community organizations, will host a forum with Democratic gubernatorial candidate Sonia Chang-Díaz at 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 7 at the Fitchburg Access Television studios.

The program, to be moderated by Fitchburg-Leominster All Politics (FLAP-TV) host Kevin Cormier, will be streamed live and then available for viewing on demand at fatv.org. Questions will focus on issues of concern to the diverse communities and businesses of North Central Massachusetts.

The coalition has extended invitations to additional gubernatorial candidates – including Democrat Maura Healey and Republicans Geoff Diehl and Chris Doughty – to participate in similar forums.

State Sen. Chang-Díaz has represented the Second Suffolk District since 2009. 

Elect North Central is a coalition of organizations dedicated to making the democratic process accessible and assuring that local and regional issues are examined and addressed by candidates running for office. The coalition plans to invite the Democrat and Republican candidates for governor to debate in advance of the general election in November.

“The members of Elect North Central include a broad cross-section of leaders in media, education, community, and business organizations, and was formed to provide residents an opportunity to hear the candidates on issues affecting them and the region,” said Lea Ann Scales, Vice President of Enrollment and Public Affairs at Mount Wachusett Community College, the chair of Elect North Central. “As we have since coming together in 2018, we will continue to collaborate on projects that will engage candidates and voters, and provide a platform to ensure the voices and concerns of our region are heard.”

The Elect North Central Coalition includes the Clinton Item; Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts; Faith Based Community Coalition of North Central Massachusetts; Fitchburg Access Television (FATV); Fitchburg State University; Gardner News; Leominster Champion; Leominster Access Television (LTV); MassLive; Minority Coalition of North Central Massachusetts; Making Opportunity Count; Mount Wachusett Community College; NewVue Communities; North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce; Spanish American Center; State House News Service; Three Pyramids, Inc; United Way of North Central Massachusetts; Vocero Hispano Newspaper; Worcester Business Journal; Worcester Telegram & Gazette; and WPKZ FM 105.3.

Government Affairs Update

At the time of this writing, candidates’ signatures are being verified for federal and statewide offices as election season continues to shape up. The Chamber has engaged with candidates for the Governor’s race and the major constitutional offices.  Efforts have included interviews with the candidates on our Inside North Central Massachusetts Podcast: Election Series, which is available on our website as well as Apple and Spotify. The Chamber is also monitoring a number of other races in North Central Massachusetts. The region’s two Congressional delegates are expected to face challengers this November, and in addition to at least two open seats, a number of our State legislative delegation will also face opponents in November.

In April, Governor Charlie Baker signed a supplemental budget for FY22. One of the biggest impacts for our members was the extension of outdoor dining and to-go cocktails through April 1, 2023.  The midyear spending bill also included an additional $700 million to be directed to the ongoing COVID-19 response and $100 million for road repairs. The Governor also filed a $3.5 billion economic development bill that, if passed, would enable new infrastructure and jobs, and invest in every city and town in the Commonwealth. The proposed Act Investing in Future Opportunities for Resiliency, Workforce, and Revitalized Downtowns (or FORWARD) contains a significant set of opportunities to advance community and economic development, including a number of shovel-ready projects in cities and towns across the Commonwealth, while ensuring that every community would receive at least $250,000 in funding, although a number of communities in our footprint would be poised to receive a larger amount.

After the Governor released his $48.5 billion budget proposal for FY23, the Chamber spent time engaging with House delegates while they crafted their $49.7 billion version of the budget in the latter half of April. The Chamber also attended a roundtable with Senate President Karen Spilka at the MassHire North Central Career Center. The roundtable, organized by Senator John Cronin, provided the region’s stakeholders the opportunity to engage the Senate President on a number of issues facing the region including the need for an increase in resources for English language learners in education, the ongoing shortage of available workers, and the need to further support initiatives to develop the workforce and talent pipeline.  In late May, the Chamber engaged the region’s Senate delegation in several priority areas including workforce development, economic development, and tourism before they unveiled their $49.9 billion budget.  The budget now moves onto conference committee where differences between the House and Senate will be reconciled.

In addition to the budget discussions, the Chamber continues to monitor Governor Baker’s $700 million tax relief proposal released earlier this year along with his $1.7 billion proposed supplemental budget unveiled in May. While attempts to suspend the state’s gas tax have been thwarted, there is hope that the Governor’s relief package or something comparable could pass in the legislature. The Department of Revenue announced that April tax collections came in more than $3 billion more than what was collected in April 2021 and more than $2 billion above their own monthly benchmark.  Other big issues that are still pending before the legislature include sports betting, mental health, round 2 of the ARPA budget, and climate and energy policy.

The Chamber is continuing to work to advance North Central Massachusetts through multiple initiatives contained in the One North Central regional economic development plan. Senator Cronin spearheaded an effort to secure funding in the first round of ARPA funding that will aid us in reconvening the education compact to work on initiatives surrounding workforce development and developing a talent pipeline. Fitchburg and Gardner, along with the Chamber’s economic development arm, are also contributing funds to help with a new initiative aimed at attracting new investment to the region.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Travis Condon, the Chamber’s public affairs manager, at 978.353.7600, ext. 224; or via email at .

Chamber Staff Promoted

The Chamber is pleased to announce two promotions. Sandie Cataldo, who joined the staff in 2015, has been promoted from Economic Development Manager to Senior Economic Development Manager, and Maribel Cruz, who joined the staff in 2021 as our Community Business Advisor, has been promoted to Economic Development Manager.  The promotions were made to better reflect their responsibilities and seniority, recognize their success and contributions to our organization, and better align with the changes we have made at the Chamber’s economic development arm, the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation. Please join us in congratulating them on their well-deserved promotions!

Sandie Cataldo, Senior Economic Development Manager

Maribel Cruz, Economic Development Manager

Upcoming Events

Member News

Local Interior Design Firm Celebrates 5th Year In Business With Big Changes

Joshua Allen Design, a local interior design firm, is celebrating its 5th anniversary in business (officially on Aug 18, 2022) with some monumental changes; excited as they undergo a complete renovation of their showroom, a cutting-edge update to their online client experience, and a rollout of their brand new app.

Joshua Allen Design, a Sterling based interior design company, is undergoing big changes as part of an initiative to celebrate their 5th anniversary. They have been in business since August 18, 2017.

They recently moved to their current location on Clinton Rd and are happy to announce that they’re set to complete renovations on their brand new showroom this spring. Of course the showroom is open to the public, and they are thrilled to have the space to be able to bring the industry’s best materials, surfaces, finishes and fixtures to their projects and community here in north central Massachusetts.

Along with the physical upgrades come some digital ones. They have just released a big update to their client portal, making it easier than ever for clients to view their whole project, make selections, and order pieces from their design at their own pace. In addition they’re in the final stages of developing an app that will further streamline their design experience, for current clients and newcomers alike.Stay tuned for additional information on the app’s expected release date.

Visit www.joshuaallendesign.com to learn more.

Free Manufacturing Frontline Supervisor Training

Online 90 Hour
February 14, – June 22 2023
Tuesday and Thursdays
9:00 am – 11:30 am

Upskill Your Employees, Build Your Supervisory Pool!

This 90 hour, practical supervisory course takes strong performers and develops them into strong leaders. This course is designed for employees that were promoted to supervisor as well as those employees you are cultivating to a supervisory position.

Each Employer may nominate one person from their company to attend the training.

Please contact Kelly French

Fitchburg Access Television announces move to Main Street in Fitchburg

Fitchburg Access Television (FATV) today announced its studio and offices, previously located at 175 Kimball Street, Fitchburg, have moved to 780 Main Street, Fitchburg. A soft opening will be recognized when the new studios are activated for broadcast on Tuesday, February 7, 2023, during the taping of the “Barbara & You” show.

The new location, which is located on the first floor of the Rollstone Bank and Trust building, provides the same amenities as the former location, totaling 5,500 square feet of creative space, all designed with the future in mind. In addition to the main studio, which totals approximately 1,000 square feet, the space boasts a podcast studio, three editing workstations, an editing suite, conference room, media preservation workstation and a green room/waiting area, as well as five administrative offices. The conference room will be named for the late David Clark, a lifelong Fitchburg resident who served on multiple city boards as well as a volunteer board member and sports commentator for FATV. With a commitment to supporting local businesses, FATV worked with local vendors and contractors to complete the renovation.

“FATV is dedicated to serving the residents of Fitchburg of offering hyper-local coverage featuring community events, civic meetings, and local sporting events to keep our community connected, informed, and entertained. Our members have access to state-of-the-art equipment and training to produce informational talk shows and programs of interest to the residents of Fitchburg,” said Nathan Glenny, Executive Director, FATV. “With our move to Main Street, we are now located in the heart of the city, presenting greater opportunity for growth with increased visibility and accessibility.”

Since its founding in 1987, FATV has called various locations in the city home, including the Wallace Civic Center, the Johnsonia Building, South Street School, and was at its most recent location on Kimball Street since 2005. FATV consistently broadcasts a multitude of programming, including 18 city meetings each month, such as City Council, School Committee, Planning Department and Board of Health. The station is also home to the “Barbara & You” show, which boasts the longest continuous host of a talk show in the country. For a complete list of shows, please visit www.fatv.org.

“FATV has been providing the residents of our city access to government meetings, public information and local sports from the comfort of their homes for more than 30 years,” said Mayor Stephen DiNatale, City of Fitchburg. “With the move to Main Street, FATV will be within walking distance to local businesses and civic institutions, while also being a part of helping make downtown a vibrant and emerging modern destination for all.”

Martin F. Connors, Jr., President and CEO of Rollstone Bank & Trust said, “Our building on Main Street serves as the perfect location for FATV to grow and serve our community. We are excited to welcome them to our building and wish FATV continued success!”

Upon completion of the renovations, FATV will host a formal ribbon cutting ceremony in spring 2023.

Member Spotlight

Custom Cleaning Service of Peabody

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.”

Inside North Central Massachusetts Podcast

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.

Out & About

From Chamber events and ribbon cuttings to community celebrations and regional highlights, stay connected with what’s happening across North Central Massachusetts. Follow us on social media for the latest photos, updates, and stories.

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Job Board Postings

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.

Got a job you want featured? Click here to submit a job posting to our job board or email . This is a member benefit. Post jobs at no extra cost. No algorithms or budgets to manage!

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