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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Pickleball has been taking the sports world by storm, and for residents of Leominster, MA, there’s no better place to play than Pickle-It Pickleball Club. Located at 471 Lancaster Street, this state-of-the-art indoor facility has quickly become a favorite hub among pickleball enthusiasts of all skill levels. With nine high-quality courts, a golf simulator, and a variety of programs, Pickle-It provides an exciting and welcoming environment for both casual and competitive players.
According to Pickle-It’s website, “We are a hub for pickleball, but that’s just the beginning! We’re excited to host a variety of special events, including fundraisers, corporate gatherings, and birthday parties. Our 24,000+ square foot venue is highly versatile, perfect for sports teams, camps, clubs, or any other activity that needs indoor space.”
After opening in December 2024, Pickle-It has turned it’s attention to being a “community-focused business,” said Club spokesperson Valerie Housser. “We’re here for the members and take their suggestions seriously.” Pickle-It Pickleball Club is more than just a place to play, it is a community hub for those who love the sport.
“We are all about the community,” added Housser. They held a tournament in January for the Big Brothers Big Sisters Organization and 100% of the proceeds were donated to the BBBS. The club regularly hosts events that bring players together, creating a friendly and social atmosphere. Whether you’re looking to make new friends, get a great workout, or compete at a high level, Pickle-It provides the perfect setting.
Whether you’re a beginner looking to learn the basics or an experienced player seeking competitive matches, Pickle-It has something for everyone. The club offers:
Open Play Sessions – Perfect for players who want to drop in and enjoy a game without scheduling a match in advance.
Leagues and Tournaments – Competitive players can join leagues or participate in organized tournaments to test their skills against others.
Lessons and Clinics – Whether you’re new to the game or looking to refine your techniques, professional coaching is available.
Private Court Rentals – For those who prefer a more personalized experience, courts can be reserved for private games.
Pickle-It is not only a fun placed to visit it is a fun place to work. When describing the new company’s workplace culture, Housser notes: “We foster a friendly environment for all including our employees and encourage them to join in the fun whenever possible.”
When reflecting on doing business in North Central Massachusetts, Housser notes the people in the region are “amazing!“ She especially loves the “sharing of ideas” which the North Central Massachusetts Chamber provides. One fun fact Housser notes is they have incorporated pink into their courts in homage to the pink flamingo which was created here in Leominster.
When looking towards the future, Housser wants to keep “growing each day.” “We hope to develop youth programs in the near future,” she adds.
She looks at starting the business as her biggest achievement and credits “NewVue” communities as Pickle-It’s strongest influence in their start up. She now relies heavily on social media to help promote the business.
Pickle-It Pickleball Club is open Monday through Friday from 6:30 AM to 9:30 PM and weekends from 7:30 AM to 7:30 PM, making it easy for players to find a time that fits their schedule. One of the standout features of Pickle-It is its top-tier playing environment. The indoor courts ensure that games can be played year-round, regardless of weather conditions. The facility is designed to meet the highest standards, with well-maintained surfaces, ample lighting, and plenty of space for players to move freely.
Located conveniently in Leominster, the club is easily accessible to residents of the city and surrounding areas. Whether you’re planning a cornhole tournament, yoga class, or a strengthening and stretching session, the possibilities are endless! Got a unique idea for an event, reach out to them at —they’d love to hear from you! For those interested in checking out the facility, booking a court, or learning more about membership options, visit https://www.pickleitclub.com or call 978-855-4390. Whether you’re an experienced pickleball player or just getting started, Pickle-It Pickleball Club in Leominster is the place to be!
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Leveraging MA 250th Anniversary for Regional Growth
We are embracing the region’s revolutionary spirit with a new marketing initiative tied to the Massachusetts 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution. Our campaign highlights the innovative spirit of North Central Massachusetts across five vital sectors – Tourism, Culture, Agriculture, Manufacturing, and Business.
We’ve secured a grant from MA 250th to fund our “North Central Mass is Revolutionary” campaign, enabling us to maximize exposure through strategic media partnerships with the Boston Business Journal, Worcester Business Journal, Worcester Magazine, Mass Live, and Local IQ. Our advertising campaign provides our members and communities with broad visibility across print, digital, and social media channels. The campaign also features specialized content and curated itineraries on our tourism website – visitnorthcentral.com – that showcase our region and members. Additionally, we’re investing in a digital kiosk at the Johnny Appleseed Visitor Center to highlight the region’s history and connect visitors with member businesses and attractions. These coordinated marketing efforts are designed to create sustained economic impact by leveraging this historic anniversary to spotlight North Central Massachusetts as a dynamic destination for business and tourism.
Expanding Youth and Amateur Sports Tourism Through Digital Innovation
Visit North Central has strategically partnered with Playeasy, a leading digital platform that connects youth and amateur sports event organizers with regional venues, to strengthen our position in this growing market. This technology-driven approach streamlines venue discovery and booking while creating significant economic opportunities for our member businesses, including hotels, restaurants, and attractions.
The platform’s automated lead generation system delivers event opportunities directly to our member venues. Early performance metrics are promising – Playeasy has already identified potential opportunities representing $32 million in economic impact and 189,000 hotel room nights for our region. Our destination’s strong digital presence ranks #32 among 334 destinations, generating 561 profile views, with 101 from event pages and 311 from facility pages in the past 90 days.
While we continue to monitor conversion rates and economic impact during this initial implementation phase, the platform demonstrates strong potential for driving youth and amateur sports tourism revenue to North Central Massachusetts.
Promoting North Central Massachusetts as a Premier Winter Destination
Our winter advertising campaigns successfully promoted North Central Massachusetts as a premier New England destination to drive visitor spending across our business community. The campaigns showcased the region’s authentic experiences, rich cultural offerings, and strategic location advantage. Working with leading media partners including AAA, Boston Spirit, Cumulus, Hearst Story Studio, Local IQ, and MassLive, we implemented a comprehensive media strategy primarily focused on digital platforms, complemented by strategic print placements. The campaign targeted high-value markets including Boston and New England communities within a 250-mile radius, positioning our region as an accessible destination for winter travelers. This targeted approach helped drive visitor traffic to member businesses during traditionally slower winter months.
Driving Visitation Through Strategic Partnerships and Media Outreach
Our tourism partnerships continued to generate impact through multiple initiatives. Our collaborative “Shoulder Season” advertising campaign with Discover Central MA and MetroWest Boston Visitors Bureau, funded through federal grant support, has successfully promoted off-season visitation to drive year-round business opportunities. This strategic partnership concludes this spring after helping to increase visitor traffic during traditionally slower periods.
To enhance media coverage and destination awareness, we engaged CM Communications, a Boston-based PR agency specializing in destination marketing. Their expertise is helping to generate increased media interest and exposure for North Central Massachusetts businesses and attractions.
Strengthening Digital Presence
We maintained a strong digital presence, delivering compelling website content, including seasonal blog features and an up-to-date events calendar. Our primary goal remained to strategically deploy both print and digital advertising to capture attention in key drive markets, while continuing to drive traffic to the Visit North Central website (www.visitnorthcentral.com) and engage users across our social media platforms. For FY2025 through January 31, 2025, we had 79,660 users, representing a 46% increase over the same time period the previous year. We also had 135,000 pageviews, up 35%; 86,000 sessions, up 37%; and 1,974,892 impressions. These substantial increases indicate growing interest in our region and more potential customers discovering our member businesses online.
Social Media Performance
From July 1, 2024, to January 31, 2025, Visit North Central Massachusetts’ Facebook page reached a total 736,660 users, a 36% increase, and had 1,283,965 views. Our Facebook page followers increased 30% to 42,924, and saw 12,741 content interactions. On Instagram, the page achieved a reach of 28,205, a decrease of 39%, and 105,832 views, and had 3,528 followers, a 25% increase. We also saw 2,892 content interactions during the same period. This social engagement translates to increased brand awareness for the region and stronger digital visibility for our business community.
Lodging Market Analysis: Traditional vs. Short-Term Rental Performance
The January 2025 lodging data reveals market shifts affecting our regional hospitality sector. Traditional hotel performance shows continued challenges, while the short-term rental market demonstrates strong growth.
North Central Massachusetts hotels experienced more pronounced declines than the statewide average. Regional hotel demand decreased 8.8% year-over-year, representing 2,634 rooms booked in January 2025. This exceeded the statewide demand decrease of 4.0% (56,364 fewer room nights). Revenue impact was similarly disproportionate, with regional hotel revenue declining 11.9% ($593,447) compared to the state’s 4.0% decrease ($8.3 million). Our regional occupancy rate fell 6.8 percentage points to 65%, while average daily rate (ADR) decreased 10.2% to $160.05. For context, statewide hotel occupancy dropped 3.3 percentage points to 49.2%, with ADR remaining stable at $151.05.
In contrast, the short-term rental market shows remarkable strength. North Central Massachusetts short-term rentals experienced 47% growth in booked nights (2,350 total, an increase of 752 rooms) and 40.8% revenue growth ($230,970) compared to January 2024. This significantly outpaced the strong statewide short-term rental performance, which saw 6.8% growth in bookings (243,100 nights, an increase of 15,573) and 9.9% revenue growth ($31.6 million).
These trends suggest continued market evolution that may present both challenges and opportunities for our regional hospitality businesses.
Email Newsletter Engagement
Our quarterly visitor opt-in electronic newsletter now reaches over 3,470 subscribers, maintaining an impressive 47% open rate and 7% click-through rate above industry standards. This direct communication channel continues to be an effective tool for promoting member businesses and regional events.
Spring/Summer Guide in Production
We are currently printing the Spring/Summer edition of the Guide to North Central Massachusetts, a glossy, full-color magazine designed to inform and inspire. This guide will showcase the region as a prime destination for living, working, and visiting. Once printed, 40,000 copies will be distributed across 350 high-traffic locations throughout New England. In addition to the print version, a digital version will be available on our website and shared via email, social media, and with the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism (MOTT) to extend its reach even further.
What’s Next: Spring Initiatives
Looking ahead to spring, our focus will remain on building awareness and driving visitors to North Central Massachusetts. Key upcoming initiatives include rolling out our new digital kiosks at the visitor center and launching our spring advertising campaign. We will continue to emphasize the region’s outdoor offerings and the timeless charm of New England, creating itineraries that inspire seasonal adventures for travelers seeking fresh experiences. Digital marketing will remain our primary tool, with strategies that include paid search, social media ads, geofencing along the Route 2 corridor, digital display, sponsored content, print ads, YouTube targeting, and organic engagement. We’re excited to expand our reach, inspire travel, and encourage more visitors to explore North Central Massachusetts.
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As your dynamic partner in North Central Massachusetts, we continue to drive initiatives that strengthen our business community and foster regional growth. Our impact spans from direct business support to innovative community development, and we are pleased to share these updates with you that are not covered elsewhere in the newsletter.
STRATEGIC PLANNING: Our current three-year strategic plan concludes in 2025. This May, the Boards of the Chamber and its affiliate organizations will meet to begin developing our next strategic plan. We’ll review our progress and discuss crucial topics for supporting our members while maintaining our region as a vibrant place to live, work, and visit.
We value your input! Share your thoughts on how the Chamber and our affiliate organizations can better support your organizations and our communities over the next three years. While we’ll be distributing a formal survey, we welcome your ideas anytime at .
SMALL BUSINESS LENDING: Our commitment to small business remains strong. Since the start of FY2025 (October 1, 2024), the Chamber’s economic development arm, the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation (NCMDC), has approved and closed 5 micro-loans totaling $244,500. These loans, ranging from $1,000 to $121,500, helped leverage an additional $119,554 in capital from our banking partners and borrowers and created or retained 22 jobs. Currently, our loan portfolio comprises 88 loans with a total principal balance of $3,179,764.
BUSINESS ASSISTANCE: To date, our team has provided 476 hours of hands-on technical assistance to local small businesses in FY2025. We’ve also connected businesses with partner resources and outside professionals offering specialized services in marketing, public relations, website/media design, bookkeeping, and legal support.
WorkNorthCentral.com: Our online jobs board continues to thrive. From November 1, 2024 to February 18, 2025, we’ve had 622 job opportunities posted and more than 9,250 page views.
Remember that Chamber members can post job listings at no cost. Submit directly through the platform or email your listings to Sabbra Reyes at .
SOLAR INITIATIVE: Since August 2014, our Pleasant Street solar field has generated 14,840,946 kWh in Net Metering Credits for participating manufacturers. These credits, valued at $3,725,800, have resulted in collective savings of $3,166,930. The Chamber itself has realized $298,064 in energy savings over the years. As we celebrate ten years of operation, these figures highlight the lasting economic and environmental benefits of our solar initiative.
SHOP LOCAL GIFT CARD PROGRAM: Our Gift Local eGift Card program currently features 44 participating member merchants. From November 2024 through January 2025, we sold 99 gift cards valued at $3,755, with 36 cards worth $1,320.29 redeemed at participating small businesses.
Visit www.GiftLocal.net to purchase gift cards or to learn more about the program. To join as a participating merchant, contact Patrick O’Hara: or 978.353.7600 ext. 239.
MEMBER DECALS: In February, we mailed the new 2025 Member Decals to the main contact at each member organization. We encourage you to proudly display your decal at your business entrance or office.
Need additional decals for multiple locations? Contact Maureen Babcock at or 978.353.7600 ext. 222, or stop by the Chamber office to pick them up. Thank you for being a valued Chamber member!
MANUFACTURING COUNCIL: Our January Manufacturing Council meeting at SMC Ltd. in Devens drew over forty manufacturers. Attendees gained insights from Lily Fitzgerald, Director of Massachusetts’ Center for Advanced Manufacturing, on 2025 industry trends and resources. SMC’s Dave Bergman followed with an in-depth look at their cutting-edge operations, capped off by an exclusive facility tour showcasing their advanced manufacturing capabilities. Check our website for upcoming meetings of the Manufacturing Council.
CHAMBER LEADERSHIP COUNCIL: Our December meeting of the Leadership Council – an advisory body of members who provide strategic guidance on regional issues – featured three key presentations. Canada’s Consul General Bernadette Jordan highlighted the vital and longstanding trade relationship between Massachusetts and Canada, discussing shared economic interests and collaboration opportunities amid evolving international trade policies. Massachusetts Secretary of Economic Development Yvonne Hao provided insights on the newly signed Mass Leads Act and its implications for regional economic growth. Chamber President Roy Nascimento rounded out the session with an update on the Chamber’s progress toward our strategic and economic development plans and goals. This meeting offered members valuable perspective on international, state, and local economic initiatives.
CHAMBER WEBSITE: We have continued enhancing the Chamber’s website – northcentralmass.com – to serve as a comprehensive resource for our members and communities. Recent improvements include updated content, enhanced SEO strategies and new community profiles on our economic development section to further showcase the strengths and opportunities within our region. For FY2025 through January, the Chamber’s website saw 50,429 visitors and120,204 pageviews. That is a 9% decrease in visitors and 4% increase in pageviews over the same period the previous year.
CHAMBERSOCIAL MEDIA: The Chamber’s social media presence continues to expand, with particularly strong growth on LinkedIn where our following increased 23.4% to reach 2,347 followers. Instagram showed steady growth of 10.4%, reaching 1,233 followers, while Facebook saw modest growth of 4.3% to reach 7,168 followers. X (formerly Twitter) experienced a slight decline of 1.2%, with current following at 1,103, primarily due to reduced activity on that platform. Tourism-related social channels are tracked separately and reported on page 18.
CHAMBER EMAIL NEWSLETTER: The Chamber’s redesigned monthly e-newsletter launched for 2025 features a mobile-friendly single-column layout with new sections including “Out & About” for community photos, “Member Spotlight” for success stories, and “In the Mix” for news and opportunities. Our email database currently reaches 3,923 business contacts, achieving a 41% average open rate across all communications and 50% for the monthly newsletter.
ACCOUNTING: North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, North Central Massachusetts Chamber Foundation, Johnny Appleseed Trail Association (Visit North Central), North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation, The North Central Massachusetts Land Bank, and Chambers Insurance fiscal year-end 2024 closed smoothly. Their applicable Annual Audits and Tax Returns were processed and filed on time and without incident.
MEMBER TO MEMBER OFFERINGS: Boost your visibility and support fellow Chamber members through our Member to Member Offerings program! This complimentary benefit allows you to showcase exclusive discounts or special services on our website, reaching member businesses and their employees throughout the region. Participating not only increases your exposure but also strengthens our regional business community through collaborative support. Ready to post your offer? Contact Maureen Babcock at 978.353.7600 ext. 222 or . Start leveraging this valuable member benefit today!
PODCAST: In January, we surpassed 6,500 downloads on our Inside North Central Massachusetts Podcast, a 17% increase over the previous year. 2024 marked our most successful year for downloads since launching the podcast in 2021. We are continuing to book guests about a month out. We’d like to thank Franklin Professional Associates for sponsoring the podcast again this year. Want to share your story? Contact Travis Condon at or 978.353.7600 ext. 224 to book your guest spot.
STAFF RECOGNITION: Travis Condon, our Public Affairs Manager, was recently named to the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives’ 40 Under 40 emerging chamber leaders list, bringing national recognition to both Travis and our chamber.
ANNUAL MEETING SPONSORSHIPS: Mark your calendar for our Annual Meeting on June 12, 2025—one of the Chamber’s largest and most prestigious events of the year. We’re currently seeking sponsors at multiple levels. Showcase your organization to hundreds of regional business and community leaders while supporting this premier gathering. For sponsorship details and benefits, contact Valerie Bruno, Programs and Events Manager, at 978.353.7600 ext. 235 or .
MEET & GREETS: The Chamber has resumed hosting our popular “Meet & Greet” series throughout the region. Our Meet & Greets are smaller, focused gatherings typically hosted by a member in one of our communities. They provide a great opportunity to engage with local businesses and get an update from the Chamber. Check our calendar of events for the next Meet & Greet or contact Patrick O’Hara on the Chamber team if you are interested in attending or hosting a future Meet & Greet at your business.
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Thank you to all our sponsors who help sponsor this past 2025-2026 program year! We are truly honored by your continued support and efforts to continue to make our community thrive! View
Event
Join us for Connect North Central
Friday, November 20, 2026
8am-9am View
Event
Joint Mayor's Meeting
December 4, 2026
Chamber members are provided with the opportunity to engage with the Mayors of Fitchburg, Gardner, and Leominster who provide updates on projects and other things happening in their Cities. These events are by invitation only, please contact Travis Condon for more details. View
Event
Future Leaders of North Central: Annual Holiday Party & Ugly Sweater Competition
December 8, 2026
Bull Run Restaurant
215 Great Rd. Shirly, MA View
Event
Chamber members are provided with the opportunity to engage with the Mayors of Fitchburg, Gardner, and Leominster who provide updates on projects and other things happening in their Cities. These events are by invitation only, please contact Travis Condon for more details. View
Event
MassDevelopment’s Biz-M-Power offers matching grants of up to $50,000 to eligible, growth-oriented small businesses. These grants can help offset costs related to acquisitions, expansions, improvements or leasing of facilities, purchasing or leasing equipment, and other capital needs.
To qualify for this funding opportunity, businesses must have fewer than 20 employees and annual revenues not exceeding $2.5 million. Applicants must also demonstrate that they have at least 20% of the required owner’s funds available at the time of application, as shown by business bank account statements.
For fiscal year 2025, the Commonwealth’s Capital Budget has allocated $1,000,000 for this program, which will be administered by MassDevelopment’s Growth Capital Division.
To be considered, applicants must submit a complete application by June 15, which is available exclusively online through Submittable: https://massgcc8.submittable.com/submit
While working with the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation is not required, you are welcome to contact Sandie Cataldo for assistance at .
Join us for an enriching workshop designed to equip you with essential skills, expand your knowledge and understanding. While this workshop is FREE, we would like, if possible, to know who to expect. To pre-register, email and let us know your name, email, and what field your work on or if there are any particular topics you’d like to know about.
This workshop is being offered on 2 different dates and locations
Tuesday, May 20 @ 6pm
Fitchburg Library
610 Main Street, Fitchburg, MA
Or
Tuesday, June 24 @ 6pm
Leominster Library
30 West Street, Leominster, MA
Gardner’s Master Plan Committee and consultant team will be hosting a community workshop next Thursday, May 22 from 5:30 to 6:30 pm in Perry Auditorium at City Hall.
Come join us and discuss your vision for Gardner’s future! We will be developing a vision statement that will guide the work of the master plan. The vision statement will inform the project team’s recommendations, which will be designed to help Gardner reach the community’s vision.
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.
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.
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!
