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
The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce is hosting a New Member Campaign from September 24 through October 26, 2018. This awareness campaign will include direct outreach to prospective members and a referral promotion to existing members.
The Chamber is the leading business and economic development organization in North Central Massachusetts and provides numerous services for members, including networking, professional development, low cost marketing, health and dental insurance, as well as government affairs and economic development programs to encourage a positive business climate for the region. Among its many honors, in 2017 the Chamber was recognized for its work by being the first Chamber from New England to be named a finalist for the prestigious ACCE National Chamber of the Year Award. The Chamber also achieved four-star accreditation in 2018, an honor achieved by only 204 of the 7,022 chambers in the country.
“The Chamber is an important element in the fabric of the community and has a tremendous impact supporting the local business community,” said Stephen Mullaney, Chairman of the Board of Directors. “This is a great opportunity to tell our story and give the Chamber’s financial and membership efforts a solid boost.”
The campaign will feature several “Join Now” incentives for businesses and organizations that enroll with the Chamber, including digital, print, and TV advertising, website listings, admission to Chamber networking programs and more.
Highlighting the campaign will be a referral effort among existing members. Each member referral can potentially earn the referring member a $50 Gift Local gift card that can be used at many of the finest restaurants, shops and attractions in the region. There is no limit to the number of referrals someone can make.
At the end of the campaign, we will also have a drawing for referring members with a chance to win the Grand Prize of a $500 Gift Local Gift Card.
Membership in the Chamber is a great way to become involved with the business community, support the North Central Massachusetts region and help your organization grow and save money. The Chamber supports member businesses of all sizes and industries through leadership in public advocacy, economic development, education, technical assistance, discount programs, networking opportunities and more. Our member benefits are diverse and extensive.
For more information please visit https://www.northcentralmass.com/membership-information/new-member-referral-campaign/. Businesses interested in joining the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce should contact the Chamber at 978.353.7600 ext. 240.

As part of national manufacturing month, the Chamber and our economic development arm, the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation will host a series of events and programs to promote manufacturing and highlight the importance of the industry to the economy of the region.
“Manufacturing is alive and well in North Central Massachusetts,” said Roy Nascimento, president and CEO of the Chamber. “Supporting careers in advanced manufacturing and serving as fierce advocates for local manufacturers are a priority for our Chamber.”
The Chamber plans on coordinating tours of local manufacturers as well as highlighting how rewarding careers in manufacturing can be through a social media campaign, showcasing Chamber produced manufacturing videos and hosting special events. The Chamber will be partnering with local manufacturers, Mount Wachusett Community College and
MassHire North Central Workforce Board in these efforts. Stay tuned throughout the
month of October for more information on these events. For more information visit
www.NorthCentralMass.com or contact Sandie Cataldo at .
Wednesday, October 10, 2018
8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. – North Central Massachusetts Manufacturing Bus Tour
Special manufacturing bus tour for Superintendents, legislators and media in the North Central Massachusetts region. The tour will visit and tour several local manufacturers in the region and showcase the region’s advanced manufacturing, high quality workforce, quality of life and opportunities in North Central Massachusetts.
Thursday, October 11, 2018
4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. – Business After Hours – Fitchburg Art Museum
185 Elm St, Fitchburg, MA
Join us to celebrate the manufacturing industry during a special edition of our Business After Hours series at the Fitchburg Art Museum’s newest exhibit – Furniture. The museum’s newest exhibit pays tribute to region’s industrial heritage of furniture manufacturing and will feature a variety of pieces, both new and antique, that were made locally!
Tuesday, October 23, 2018
8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. – Manufacturing Tour with Fitchburg and Leominster High School
AIS Inc – 25 Tucker Dr, Leominster, MA
MWCC Devens Campus – 27 Jackson Rd, Devens, MA
Special manufacturing bus tour for students and chaperons of Fitchburg and Leominster High School. The tour will visit local manufacturers in the region and showcase the region’s manufacturing jobs and the options for opportunities in North Central Massachusetts.
Tuesday, October 23, 2018
8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. – Manufacturing Tour with Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School
Nypro, a Jalib Company – 101 Union St, Clinton, MA
WestRock – 51 Independence Dr, Devens, MA
Special manufacturing bus tour for students and chaperons of Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School. The tour will visit local manufacturers in the region and showcase the region’s manufacturing jobs and the options for opportunities in North Central Massachusetts.
Thursday, October 25, 2018
7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. – CEO Unplugged featuring Ray Martino, President & CEO of Simonds International
The Chamber’s CEO Unplugged series gives young professionals access to local leaders for a chance to connect and learn about their journey to success. Each session provides a chance to meet with a local CEO in their workplace to discuss professional development such as leadership values, entrepreneurship, and investment in community and career paths. In honor of manufacturing month, the October edition features Ray Martino, President & CEO of Simonds International, a global leader in the manufacturing of wood processing equipment and one of the largest manufacturers in Fitchburg. Attendance is open to any young professionals within the Chamber membership. But, seats will be limited to no more than 12 people. The program is free, but pre-registration is required.
Student Manufacturing Tours – Various Dates and Locations
Throughout the month of October, the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce will be partnering with local manufacturers, Mount Wachusett Community College, the MassHire North Central Workforce Board and other partners to host a series of manufacturing tours for local students from various high schools in North Central Massachusetts. These efforts are intended to showcase careers in advanced manufacturing and dispel old, negative myths and stereotypes that exist about manufacturing jobs.
The North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation (NCMDC) granted a $25,000 micro-loan to Derek Johnson, owner of Half Axe located in Marlborough. Half Axe is the premier axe throwing facility and the first of its kind in New England. Once a fun outdoor camping activity, axe-throwing has grown into the newest competitive sport making its way to the US. Located at the new Apex Entertainment Center in Marlborough, Derek offers 2 hour and 45 minute booked sessions for private events, parties, league play, as well as drop-ins. Half Axe is open Tuesday-Sunday. For hours and more info visit www.halfaxe.com. This micro loan was a referral from Community Teamwork and created 4 new jobs.
The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Clark University assisted Derek with a business plan and financial package. For more information on the SBDC visit www.clarku.edu/offices/sbdc.
As a microloan lender, 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.
Community Health Connections (CHC) welcomes Julia Shirk Williams, LMHC, as the organization’s newest Director of Behavioral Health Services. Ms. Williams was chosen for the position for her significant leadership, management, mentoring skills and extensive clinical background.
Before joining CHC’s staff, Ms. Williams was the Director of Outpatient Services – Community Services and Partial Hospitalization Programs at Lowell Treatment Center. There she was responsible for the clinical, managerial and financial oversight of its behavioral health practitioners, Case Management, Therapeutic Monitoring, In-Home Therapy, the Family Stabilization Team, and Community Support Services. Previously Ms. Williams worked for Eliot Community Human Services, The Children’s Room, The Gifford School, Acton Cooperative School, and the Parental Stress Line developing strategies, providing support and directly engaging clients of all ages in behavioral health treatment.
Ms. Williams holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts and a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from Lesley University, Cambridge, Massachusetts. She also is a Certified Paralegal/Legal Assistant and describes herself as a “curious, life-long learner”.
Community Health Connections is the federally-qualified health center serving the communities of North Central Massachusetts. It provides primary medical, dental, behavioral health, optometry and substance abuse treatment services, for all ages, and accessible to anyone regardless of income or insurance status. Sites include Fitchburg Community Health Center, Greater Gardner Community Health Center, and Leominster Community Health Center and ACTION Community Health Center. CHC also provides preventive dental services at more than 55 schools in the region through its Caring For Kids program. More information may be found on the website www.chcfhc.org or by calling 978-878-8100.

The following positions are available:
Banquet Supervisor
Breakfast Supervisor
Guest Services
Agents/Front Desk
Houseman
Housekeepers
Night Audit, Banquet
Servers
Restaurant Servers,
Stewards, Line Cooks
Bar Backs, Banquet
Bartenders, Restaurant
Bartenders, Market
Attendant for
Forge & Vine, and
Maintenance Personnel
We welcome candidates who have applied previously. We welcome walk-ins. Applications will be available.
We hope to see you there!
Job Fair Location:
The Prescott School
145 Main Street, 1st Floor
Groton, MA 01450
(978) 448-6600
To learn more about careers with us, please go to migishotelgroup.com/about/careers.
Leominster Credit Union is joining with credit unions throughout Massachusetts to collect new and gently used books during the month of April in association with the Cooperative Credit Union Association Annual Book Drive. The books will be donated to local organizations providing an educational resource for many children. Books may be dropped off at any Leominster Credit Union Office by April 27, 2018. For more information contact Kathy Hurley at 978-466-7242 or .
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