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
Why did you open the doors to your business? Today’s business owners often say it’s because they want to make a difference, fill a need, solve a problem, or support their community. There’s little doubt that business ownership isn’t just about making money; it’s about making a difference. What role will your business play in supporting, molding, and developing our community? That’s left up to your goals.
Our members make a difference in many ways. There are countless ways and opportunities to support our community, give back, or open doors for those living here. We’ve seen members take on incredible challenges or offer simply support.
Your business is already doing so. For example, you’re creating jobs for the community, which ensures that people can find a way to support their families and to work towards reaching their financial goals. Sometimes, the jobs our members offer can provide new opportunities not otherwise present in the community.
Our members also empower their employees. Imagine the opportunities to learn, grow, and expand. Some help to support the educational goals of their employees by supporting flexible scheduling, tuition reimbursement, or continuing education access. This can change the future path of an individual, allowing that individual to achieve his or her goals. Many times, they come back to the community to use those new skills to better it as well. It’s comprehensively worth the investment from all sides.
Our members also contribute to the positive culture of the community in many ways. As an independent local association, we help facilitate opportunities to do this by communicating needs. However, many of our members find ways to contribute on their own. They may help to support a sports team by contributing financially or purchasing uniforms. They may help to sponsor an event taking place to raise money for a charity. Though some do so through well-recognized events, festivals, and programs, others do so behind the scenes. They contribute because they believe in supporting the efforts of the organization, residents, employees, or just the community as a whole.
Some entrepreneurs build their businesses themselves as their legacy. They work hard to grow and scale. Others view their greatest impact as what they leave behind within the community. It is the steps they take to make the community better than they found it. Do you hope to leave an imprint? Do you plan to achieve incredible goals?
Many of our members look to find the good and praise it. They volunteer, give away their time, providing discounts on products or services, or simply give their knowledge. They work to support charities, children’s activities, and seniors. They listen, learn, and act to help others in our community to achieve their goals or meet their needs.
As the Chamber of Commerce, we’re proud of the business’s efforts to take these steps. We encourage every member to take another look inside to find out they can build a legacy.
Workers Credit Union is pleased to announce their donation of $10,000 to the Merrimack Valley Food Bank from its annual holiday campaign held in December. During the campaign, WCU members were asked to open a SaveUp savings account or set up an automatic transfer to their WCU savings and the credit union would donate $5 on their behalf to the food bank.

“We can’t thank the Workers Credit Union members enough for their support during these trying times. During the pandemic, the food bank has assisted more than 65,000 people monthly and donations like this helps us continue to serve their needs,” said Amy Pessia, Executive Director of the Merrimack Valley Food Bank.
Workers opened a new Lowell PlanIt at the Sunrise Shopping Center on Bridge Street on April 5, 2021. The new location will support the Workers Way™ financial coaching program which focuses on helping members improve their financial wellbeing. Using a combination of face-to-face coaching and the latest self-serve technology, Workers provides a personal, user-friendly banking experience that helps members pursue their goals with confidence.
Donations can be made to the Merrimack Valley Food Bank at www.mvfb.org.
About Merrimack Valley Food Bank
The mission of the Merrimack Valley Food Bank is to provide adequate nutrition and freedom from hunger. The Food Bank’s programs currently serve up to 80,000 people monthly in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. MVFB has been providing nutritious food to children, veterans, seniors, and working families since 1991. Food is distributed through direct service and a network of partner food pantries, meal programs, schools and senior centers.
About Workers Credit Union
Workers Credit Union (WCU), a member-owned and member-focused $2 billion credit union, is building the financial wellness of its more than 110,000 members through coaching, products and support that empowers them to build a better life for themselves and their families. Headquartered in Littleton, MA, Workers Credit Union has been serving communities in Massachusetts for more than 100 years. Workers Credit Union recently adopted a national charter that enables it to serve a broader set of members wherever they live. Workers Credit Union is a Community Development Financial Institution and Low-Income Designated Credit Union.
“Holiday” Double IPA features 2020 Veterans Hop Blend by Yakima Chief Hops

“We are so honored to be a part of this project”, said Valerie Brock, Director of Fermentation at Wachusett Brewing Company and a former Sargent in the Army National Guard. “The 2020 blend features five different hops from the Pacific Northwest including Idaho 7, HBC 692, Sabra, Mosaic, and HBC 630 that will give this Double IPA great tropical fruit aromatics and a wonderful citrus profile”.
“Since 2010, it has been our privilege to show our support toward our local US Servicemen, women, and their families by providing Christmas trees at no charge, and to be a conduit for others in our community to show their appreciation as well, for our hero’s. We are honored to have been chosen to participate in the roll out of the Wachusett Brewing Company’s new IPA, and grateful for their support toward our program. We could not ask for a better way to kick off our 10th year of giving!” said Joe Firmani, Operation Service Director.”
Holiday Double IPA will be released the week of November 9th on tap at all 3 Wachusett Brew Yards in Westminster, Worcester, and the newly opened Cambridge location and in 16oz cans in Westminster only. A portion of the proceeds at every location will go directly to the Trees For Soldiers Project.
For more information about Wachusett Brewing Company, visit www.wachusettbrew.com
About Wachusett Brewing Company
WBC produces a diverse, award-winning line of beers ranging from their best-selling Blueberry Ale to their highly-rated Wally New England IPA series.

Prior to his appointment to the board, Reedy has served on the LCU Advisory Committee and also as an LCU Board member from 1999 to 2011.
“John will be a great addition to the Leominster Credit Union Board of Directors. His skills, involvement with the Advisory Board and his experience as a prior Board Member will be a valuable asset to our community and our members,” stated Chairman of the Board Giulio Greco.
Reedy is a Certified Public Accountant in Harvard, MA and a graduate of University of Scranton, PA. He is involved with the Woodlands Homeowners Association as part of their Finance Committee and the Treasurer of the Clinton Republican Town Committee. Reedy currently resides in Clinton, MA with his wife Helen.

EforAll is a nonprofit that focuses on helping all individuals start a business with an emphasis on women, people of color, immigrants, and people who were previously unemployed. “Fidelity Bank is a leader in the business community in Worcester, Fitchburg and North Central Massachusetts,” says John Esler, Founding Committee Chair for E for All’s Greater Worcester program. “With their help, we will be able to reach and mentor a larger group of entrepreneurs who want to start a business.” Applications for the first Greater Worcester Business Accelerator program are due November 12 and the first class will start in January of 2021. Entrepreneurs selected for the 12-month free program receive immersive business training, dedicated mentorship, and access to a professional network. In addition to providing financial support, selected Fidelity Bank colleagues will serve as mentors.
Since it was founded ten years ago, EforAll has helped launch more than 500 startup businesses that have created more than 700 local jobs. Among the businesses started by EforAll participants, 74 percent are owned by women, 58 percent are owned by people of color, 46 percent are owned by immigrants and 39 percent are owned by people who were previously unemployed. They are on track to help start 240 new businesses in the next year including 30 in Greater Worcester.
Fidelity Bank’s financial support for EforAll comes from the Fidelity Bank LifeDesign Community Dividend, which donated more than $330,000 to more than 250 worthy organizations in Central Massachusetts last year. Fidelity Bank has given out more than $2 million since the dividend program was formally named in 2013.
Founded in 1888, Fidelity Bank is one of the strongest independent community banks in Central and Eastern Massachusetts. 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 14 full-service offices in Leominster, Worcester, Fitchburg, Needham, Gardner, Stow, Shirley, Barre, Millbury, Paxton, Princeton, and Winchendon. Fidelity Bank has been voted Worcester Telegram & Gazette Best Bank in Central Massachusetts and Best Financial Services, Best Bank by both Leominster Champion and Baystate Parent, and it has been recognized by the Worcester Business Journal as a Top Workplace. In 2019 Fidelity Bank was named to the Boston Globe’s Top Places to Work list for the fifth time. As of September 30, 2020, the bank had total assets of approximately $1.15 billion. For more information, visit www.fidelitybankonline.com or www.facebook.com/fidelitybankma
About EforAll
Entrepreneurship for All (EforAll) is a nonprofit organization that partners with communities nationwide to help under-represented individuals successfully start and grow a business through intensive business training, mentorship, and an extended professional support network. To date, EforAll alumni have launched more than 500 businesses and created more than 700 local jobs. Programs are available in both English and Spanish. EforAll is currently available in the following MA communities: Berkshire County, Cape Cod, Fall River/New Bedford, Worcester, Holyoke, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, and Roxbury as well as Longmont CO. To learn more about EforAll, please visit eforall.org.
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