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 Development Corporation (NCMDC) recently granted a loan to Henry Genao for $15,000 to assist with startup costs associated with opening Hailey’s Takeout. Hailey’s Takeout, named after Henry’s daughter, is a fast-casual Spanish-American Restaurant located at 301 Lancaster Street in Leominster. The new restaurant will offer a variety of lunch and dinner items, and plans to add delivery options in the future. The hours of operation are from 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. For more information on Hailey’s Take Out, please visit them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HaileysTakeOut.
NewVue Communities assisted Henry with his business plan and financial package. To learn more about NewVue Communities and the many services they provide please visit http://newvuecommunities.org.
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.
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 $6,000,000 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.

“We’re very excited about this opportunity to continue our efforts with our partners in the community and address the region’s workforce challenges,” stated Roy Nascimento, President & CEO of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce and its development arm the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation. “These are high skilled jobs that attract employers and serve as a gate way to the middle class for many people” he continued. “Ensuring the next generation is ready to fill these roles is absolutely essential.”
“There’s a stigma attached to these careers,” explained the NCMDC’s Public Affairs Manager, Christopher McDermott. “Peoples’ perception of the industry is largely based upon what it was a century ago. They don’t realize that careers in a modern facility involve far more skill and growth than they did before.”
The grant will be used to continue the momentum sustained from receiving this grant in previous years by continuing outreach to audiences that are not typically associated with careers in manufacturing and aims to target a new audience for a potential future workforce.
Outreach will highlight the exciting, technology-driven, well-paying career options in manufacturing, dispel common myths about the industry, and bolster the prospective employee base for these quality jobs with North Central Massachusetts companies.
MassDevelopment established the Advanced Manufacturing Program (AMP) to address the loss of skilled labor and knowledge that will arise as Baby Boomers leave the workforce. The problem is particularly acute in North Central Massachusetts, which is home to over 440 manufacturing firms and relies on this industry for roughly a quarter of its employment. Regionally, roughly 32% of those employed in manufacturing are over the age of 55, while 18 to 35 year olds rank manufacturing dead last among industries in which they would choose to begin a career.
The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce and the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation remain committed to supporting and growing this critical sector of the region’s economy.

This loan was a gap loan in partnership with Workers Credit Union. NewVue Communities assisted the new owners with a business plan and financial package. For more information please visit www.ritualsspa.com.
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.
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 $6,000,000 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.

NewVue Communities is a non-profit organization, located in Fitchburg, MA, that serves 22 communities in central Massachusetts. Since its founding in 1979, NewVue Communities has endeavored to improve local communities and the lives of their residents, regardless of their background. The contribution from Hometown Bank Community Foundation helps to support the various programs and services provided by NewVue Communities, including affordable housing, financial literacy, education and foreclosure prevention. It also helps with small business technical assistance for the creation and retention of jobs. Marc Dohan, Executive Director of NewVue Communities, stated that NewVue Communities “envisions healthy neighborhoods where residents choose to live, work and invest.”
Hometown Bank Community Foundation, Inc. was formed in early 2016 by bankHometown, a state-chartered cooperative bank headquartered in Oxford, Massachusetts with $730 million in assets. Christina DiRusso, assistant vice president of commercial lending for bankHometown, serves on the board of NewVue Communities. In addition, a number of bankHometown employees also serve as speakers at NewVue’s first-time homebuyer seminars.
bankHometown has served its communities since 1889 and operates thirteen full service branch offices; eight located in central Massachusetts and five located in northeastern Connecticut. Depositors of bankHometown have their deposits insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation for amounts up to $250,000 with amounts in excess of $250,000 insured in full by the Share Insurance Fund, a private excess insurer.
January 18th is National Get to Know Your Customers Day! SJ Markham & Son, Inc. is celebrating by inviting all current customers to lunch on Thursday, January 18th from 11am-2pm. As a family-run company, we pride ourselves on treating our customers like family and want to use this holiday to get to know everyone more. Stop by for a few minutes or spend your entire lunch break with Lisa, Michaela, Emma, and Dottie. There will be lunch and a raffle with multiple prizes. We hope to see everyone at 365 Main Street in Fitchburg, MA to celebrate!
See our Facebook Event for more details!
Now that the frigid Arctic air has left (albeit temporarily), it’s time to schedule classes so that people can apply for their LTCs and learn how to defensively protect themselves and their families. Also, learn how to better your chances of survival in the event of an active shooter event wherever you might be. With that said, following are the latest scheduled classes. More to come as the weather gets warmer.
CLASS: Active Shooter/Civilian Response
WHEN: Saturday, February 17, 2018
TIME: 9 am to 12:15 pm
LOCATION: Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce
670 Linwood Ave., Bldg. A
Whitinsville, MA 01588
COST: $45 (payable by credit card, check or cash)
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CLASS: Home Firearm Safety with Live Fire
WHEN: Saturday, February 24, 2018
TIME: 9 am to 4:30 pm
LOCATION: South Fitchburg Hunting & Fishing club
60 Warren Road
Townsend, MA 01469
COST: $125 (payable by credit card, check or cash)
Call A+ Firearms Training of MA to register for a class or acquire more information.
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