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
These three words are always something kept in mind with the team members at Enterprise Bank. There are approximately 555 employees at the bank, who are purpose-driven, and care for their families and customers, catering to small and large businesses.
“I get excited when I come to work,” said Tracy Lafleur, Branch Relationship Manager and Vice President at Enterprise Bank in Fitchburg, MA. “When a customer calls, we pick up the phone and they’re speaking to an actual person; we feel valued by that as well.”
The bank’s website says, “In the late 1980s, Massachusetts faced a severe economic downturn. As George Duncan watched his city struggle, he joined other visionaries to help influence the recovery. Together, they imagined a new kind of independent, innovative bank – one that would value the entrepreneurial spirit and stimulate the economy by helping to create new businesses, meaningful jobs, vibrant communities, and a dynamic work environment for employees. This vision became Enterprise Bank.”
Enterprise Bank was started about 32 years ago in Lowell, MA in 1989 and mushroomed out from there, currently with 25 branches in operation. In 1995, the Leominster branch was the fourth branch to open, and Fitchburg branch was opened 16 years ago.
“We continue to stay rooted in values, caring, and trust and relationship, all rooted in the culture that has made us successful. We continue to grow through technology and evolve to meet customers’ needs,” said Jack Clancy, CEO of Enterprise Bank.
While preparing for the “new normal,” Enterprise Bank has helped local businesses and customers through the COVID-19 pandemic through over 2,800 PPP loans, which accounts for approximately $510 million in PPP loans.
“We reached out proactively and became one of the top PPP lenders in the country,” said Clancy, “which goes back to our dedicated team members having so much passion and caring. It’s been a monumental effort on their part since April.”
Internally, Clancy and Lafleur both prioritized not only providing PPP loans, but also protecting the safety of their team members and customers.
“We had a pandemic preparedness plan in place long before COVID,” said Clancy. “At first, we thought we were wasting our time with it, but it really helped us. People are starving for human relationships, and we devote every resource possible to make sure we have the right protocol and precautions, but also increasing digital usage and making sure that we are progressive.”
On the branch side, Lafleur said that the team members are constantly receiving updates and being informed on everything going on if there are any changes.
“[Enterprise Bank] helped a lot of small and big businesses, and we are able to get them through keeping their businesses,” said Lafleur. “We have people thanking us up and down, because our team members took extra calls and were working hard. Just the feeling of helping customers save their businesses is amazing.”
In fact, Lafleur has been a chamber ambassador for about two years, and loves being able to go out to visit chamber members.
“The [North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce] cares and is very easy and outgoing,” she said. “The networking is great and you meet at a lot people, just like here at Enterprise Bank.”
The Enterprise Bank Fitchburg branch is located at 420 John Fitch Highway, and has a family atmosphere where everyone is welcomed and treated like family. Find out more information about the entrepreneurial bank at www.enterprisebanking.com.
(Regional) – The North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation (NCMDC) – the economic development arm of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce – recently approved a $50,000 loan to the Sterling Academy of Gymnastics.
The Sterling Academy of Gymnastics, owned by John and Nancy Carbone, received a $50,000 microloan for working capital for pandemic related relief and recovery as well as to help start a remote education program. The pandemic has created a number of challenges for the business, requiring John and Nancy to explore new and creative programs. With increased demand for child care services, Sterling Gym introduced a remote learning program where children can attend their remote classes and also take advantage of the gym amenities. Sterling Gym also offers a number of other programs and classes such as gymnastics, dance, ninja challenge and martial arts. For more information visit their website at sterlinggym.com or facebook at facebook.com/sterlinggym/.
As a microloan lender, the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation (NCMDC) can provide loans to small businesses up to $150,000 for working capital, equipment, inventory, expansion and working with our banking partners to provide gap financing for the final piece of a project.
About the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation
The North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation (NCMDC) is a non-profit economic development corporation with the mission of creating jobs and improving the economy. NCMDC is certified by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and the U.S. Department of the Treasury under the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Program. The NCMDC works in partnership with local banks, credit unions, chambers of commerce and area nonprofits to support emerging microenterprises, small businesses, and community projects in 76 communities in Worcester, Middlesex and Franklin Counties with loans and business assistance. Since 1996, the NCMDC has granted over $8,000,000 in loans to small businesses to help grow jobs and the economy in the region.
For more information about the NCMDC loan programs, please call 978.353.7607 or visit ChooseNorthCentral.com.
Elite Construction & Design, Inc. believes in the future of downtown Fitchburg and recently made a move to be at the center of it.
Previously located in a former Crocker paper mill on Westminster Street in West Fitchburg, the construction company has moved to Sawyer Passway, where it hopes to play a key role in the city’s revitalization efforts, said President Matthew Fournier.
“It’s already starting but we lost some momentum with the pandemic,’’ Fournier said. “The energy is still there with public and private development. There are projects that will bring quality housing and restaurants downtown and some amenities. It may have delayed us a year or two but at the same time, all the projects are still there and moving forward. People are feeling positive about it.’’

Between businesses looking to reconfigure their space or make improvements during some downtime, growth in the cannabis industry and homeowners investing in projects, Elite has kept busy.
“A lot of our clients are in different industries and are getting affected in different ways so we are there to help them adapt,’’ Fournier said. “Commercial construction is still going strong and residential has picked up. A lot of people are sitting at home and look at their yards and houses saying ‘We’re not going on vacation, how can we change our space?’’’
Fournier founded the company in 2004 after graduating from Wentworth Institute of Technology a year before with degrees in interior design and facilities management and planning.
“I wanted to create a construction business from the ground up by focusing on long term relationships and servicing clients with an innovative hands-on approach, driven by small business values instilled in me by my family and other mentors,’’ Fournier said. “Our team is driven to be a recognized as one of the most responsive, innovative and customer-focused firms in Central Massachusetts.’’
Today, his company offers general contracting, design-build, pre-construction services, tenant fit-ups, rapid response facility services and insurance repairs/emergency services.
Elite caters to a variety of industries including commercial, residential, health care, retail, hospitality, food service, cannabis, non-profit and municipal. 
“At Elite Construction, we differentiate ourselves by providing our clients and partners with a high level of service from a project’s conceptual phase through the project closeout and beyond,’’ Fournier said. “Three values that lead our day to day are: Plan, execute and deliver.’’
Elite is a member of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, which Fournier said has helped on a business and personal level, with professional development, networking, visibility, credibility and a better understanding of the changing community and economic landscape of the region.
Elite Construction & Design, Inc. is located at 61 Sawyer Passway, Fitchburg and can be reached at 978-597-5071. For more information, visit http://www.eliteconstructiondesign.net/.

In this new role, Pieper will be responsible for the leadership, vision, and financial performance of the team of subject matter experts and offerings. She will strategically drive business growth across the company. Pieper will implement strategies that will expand and build relationships. This transformative role will be market-focused, client-facing, commercially oriented, and a magnet for our internal and external stakeholders.
“Ellen is a force of nature within the industry and brings her experiences, energy and vision to an already amazing team. We’re thrilled to welcome her to the Research Results family,” said John Zarrella, President of Research Results.
Pieper was previously the Chief Revenue Officer for Symmetric, a sampling firm based in Arlington TX. Prior to this, Pieper spent almost 7 years at WPP-owned Lightspeed GMI, where she latterly served as Account Executive, as well as a Client Operations Coordinator in Bellevue, WA. She has a degree in Psychology with a concentration in statistics and research from Columbia University in New York City. She has also achieved the designation of Professional Researcher Certification from the PRC Board of the MRA.
Pieper is currently the President-Elect of the Southwest Chapter of the Insights Association, sits on the Board of Directors for the Master of Science in Marketing Research (MSMR) program at the University of Texas at Arlington and is a member of the Women in Research (WIRe) Association, where in 2018 she was named a “C-Track” up and comer.
About Research Results, Inc.
For over 30 years, Research Results has combined the latest technologies with a talented staff of customer-driven professionals to deliver innovative marketing research solutions with unparalleled client service. Research Results takes pride in our close-knit culture and our undying focus on relationship building. We don’t want to be your vendor, we want to be a partner for our clients. And we don’t want our staff to feel like employees, we want them to feel like part of a big family. We work hard, we play hard, and for 30 years, we’ve stayed true to our philosophy. We’re partners and family, and it shows.

In this new role, Oldfield will have responsibility for day-to-day implementation of strategy and cultural initiatives within the business. He will help implement policies and strategies that will help to foster ongoing healthy client relationships. Oldfield will also continue his role as a team lead on selected major accounts.
“Stephen is one of our all-time success stories here at Research Results. He always sets a positive example in all aspects of the business, whether with the staff, in client management, or representing the company externally at conferences and the like,” said John Zarrella, President of Research Results.
Oldfield was previously the Director of Client Services at Research Results where, along with his colleagues, established the company’s “client first” strategies for successful client relationship management as well as improved operational efficiencies. He has his Master of Business Administration from Fitchburg State University and has been an active presenter at several industry events.
About Research Results, Inc.
For over 30 years, Research Results has combined the latest technologies with a talented staff of customer-driven professionals to deliver innovative marketing research solutions with unparalleled client service. Research Results takes pride in our close-knit culture and our undying focus on relationship building. We don’t want to be your vendor, we want to be a partner for our clients. And we don’t want our staff to feel like employees, we want them to feel like part of a big family. We work hard, we play hard, and for 30 years, we’ve stayed true to our philosophy. We’re partners and family, and it shows.
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