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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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
You asked, we answered! We have revamped our Sales Leads program to be more responsive to the needs of program participants. Based on the feedback we have received, we have made the following changes:
In an effort to respect your time, we will be limiting the program now to only once per month and just one hour in length;
The networking will be quick and impactful. We will maintain a structured format, but also incorporate an open networking element;
We have moved the program from Wednesdays to Fridays. We are also exploring moving the location from the Chamber office to another location;
We have a new name and logo to reflect the changes. Sales Leads is now “Connect North Central”!
Connect North Central will continue to be free for members and open seat – meaning more than one person from each industry can participate – to help you make the valuable connections that you want and need. For more information or to register for the next meeting, please visit www.northcentralmass.com.
Be visible, participate in Chamber programs and watch your business grow.
The Chamber offers members the opportunity to showcase their products and services by sponsoring programs and events throughout the year. From the smallest to largest business, we provide multiple sponsorships and various programs to meet our member’s marketing needs. Regardless of your budget, there is a sponsorship opportunity available for you at the North Central Massachusetts Chamber!
For more information on sponsorship opportunities, please contact the Chamber at 978.353.7600 or via email at .
The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce has been named an “Award of Excellence” winner in the Communications Excellence awards program presented by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE). ACCE, an Alexandria, Va.-based association, represents more than 8,000 chamber of commerce professionals, and 1,300 chambers of commerce, around the world.
ACCE’s annual Awards for Communications Excellence is designed to showcase top communications and marketing work of chambers of commerce and similar organizations. Several thousand award entries have been submitted since the launch of the organization’s Awards for Communications Excellence, which is now in its thirty-fourth year.
The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce received an Award of Excellence for a special digital campaign that showcased video testimonials from businesses. In 2018, the Chamber set out to interview some of its members and hear what they had to say about the work of the Chamber and its affiliates, as well as how they have best taken advantage of their membership. The results were astounding, as members from all industries were interested in sharing their story. Twenty-one different videos were shot entirely using an iPhone and shared through NorthCentralMass.com and social channels allowing people to hear about the benefits and work of the Chamber directly from members enjoying the benefits. The videos culminated in a four minute highlight video that premiered at the Chamber’s Annual Meeting in June.
“Hearing directly from our membership about why they continue to partner with us and having them help us share that story has been a great exercise for our organization” said Roy Nascimento, president & CEO of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. “Every member has the ability to be a representation of our Chamber and the amazing work we can do when we work together towards the betterment of the region. Hearing about their positive experiences fills us with great pride and continues to motivate and inspire us to work even harder for our members and communities.”
A panel of communications and marketing professionals from five U.S.-based chambers of commerce evaluated the more than 150 entries that were received. The entries were organized by category — based on the chamber’s annual budget — and entry type: advertising and marketing, campaigns, digital and publications.
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
March, 2018 – Leominster Credit Union donated 102 new blankets to area homeless shelters and charities. Twenty Massachusetts Credit Unions along with the Cooperative Credit Union Association participated in the 2018 Blanket Drive during the month of January. The credit unions donated a total of 838 blankets and hundreds of warm clothing items to the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless and 20 other local agencies across the state. LCU has participated in the Cooperative Credit Union Association’s initiative along with area Credit Unions since 2011.
“We are extremely pleased with the number of blankets we collected this year,” said John O’Brien, LCU President & CEO. “The generosity from members and staff was exceptional. A special thanks to Lorrie Brodeur and the residents from Sun Rise Senior Living Center for the blankets they made and donated to the drive. Giving back to the community is a core value of the LCU employees and one we strongly believe in. We are pleased that we are able to assist so many through this blanket drive.”
Blankets were distributed to the following area organizations: Montachusett Interfaith Hospital Network, Leominster; Our Father’s House, Fitchburg; Ginny’s Helping Hands, Leominster; Battered Women’s Shelter, Holden Senior Center; Andy’s Attic, Worcester; Wheat Community Connection/ Hidden Treasures, Clinton; Sterling Fire Department, McKay School, Fitchburg and Leominster Emergency Management to assist 15 people who were recently displaced by fire.
Founded in 1954, Leominster Credit Union (LCU) is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative with a full range of deposit, lending and other financial services. Headquartered in Leominster, Massachusetts, LCU is proud to claim nearly 50,000 members and more than $600 million in assets. LCU has seven branch locations in Leominster, Worcester, Clinton, Holden, Sterling and North Leominster with ATM services at all branch locations. 24-hour online banking services are available at www.leominstercu.com and by telephone at 800-649-4646.
Michael Hewitt, President and CEO of bankHometown, announced the bank has raised $12,800 during their Annual Giving Campaign benefiting three local chapters of the United Way.
Chapters of United Way are vital links between local non-profit organizations and the residents who live in those towns to ensure better lives for those less fortunate in our communities. These funds have been exclusively raised by bankHometown employees over the past year.
bankHometown employees, throughout their 13 branches and Operations Center, have been participating in this bank wide Annual Giving Campaign for more than 30 years. In addition to their monetary support, employees volunteer at a variety of events with the United Way and their partner organizations, including a bank-wide “Day of Caring” held each September.
The chapters that benefited from this year’s campaign are:
United Way of Webster and Dudley, Massachusetts
United Way of Southbridge, Sturbridge and Charlton, Massachusetts
United Way of North Central Massachusetts
Tina Puza, Assistant Vice President and Branch Manager at bankHometown’s Auburn Office, coordinated this year’s successful campaign for the bank. She said, “I am so thankful for all bankHometown employees that have either made donations or have volunteered their time for United Way this year. The resources and dedication that the United Way provides to our communities are invaluable and we thank them for all that they do on a daily basis. I truly feel that together we are helping those in need and making a positive difference in our communities.”
bankHometown is headquartered in Oxford, Massachusetts and has $730 million in assets. bankHometown has served its communities since 1889 and operates thirteen full service offices; eight in central Massachusetts and five located in northeastern Connecticut.
Digital Federal Credit Union will return again as this year’s Premier Sponsor for the Dueling Pianos event to help raise funds benefiting the work of Habitat for Humanity North Central MA. Laughter and tomfoolery will be on tap for Friday, April 6th at the Devens Common Center. This fundraiser has become one of Habitat’s most well-attended and fun-filled annual events! The musical event will support the Agency’s latest new home builds in Acton and Stow. Proceeds will also go to help support the organization’s critical home repair program.
Tickets are $70 per person for Dinner and the Show -OR- $40 per person for the SHOW ONLY. The Dinner and Show package includes a three-course plated dinner with choice of Baked Jumbo Gulf Shrimp, Marinated Beef Tips, or a Stuffed Pepper vegetarian selection. Dinner will be served at 6:00pm.
A Cocktail Hour with cash bar and complimentary light appetizers and desserts for “Show Only Patrons” will begin at 7:00pm. The show starts at 7:30pm. A Silent Auction is slated for the start of the evening and winners will be announced during the show’s intermission.
Joining DCU in this year’s Sponsor line-up is Leominster Credit Union as the event’s Entertainment Sponsor. Community Partner Sponsors include Mitrano Removal Service LLC and Phoenix Park Business Center, both located in Shirley, MA. Sponsorship opportunities for the event are still available at a variety of levels, allowing an affordable option for local businesses and community groups to come out and support Habitat NCM’s mission. Civic organizations and individual donors are also invited to be sponsors for the event.
To purchase tickets, please visit www.ncmhabitat.org. Tickets and sponsorship information are also available by calling the Habitat for Humanity NCM office at 978-348-2749. The Devens Common Center is located at 31 Andrews Parkway in Devens, MA.
Habitat for Humanity North Central Massachusetts offers a hand up, not a hand out, to hard-working, low-income central Massachusetts families seeking affordable homeownership. Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Habitat NCM builds and rehabilitates simple, decent houses alongside our homeowner partner families. Habitat NCM also operates the Leominster ReStore which raises funds through the sale of discounted or recycled materials and furniture.
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.”
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.
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