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 Development Corporation and Hometown Bank are holding two business workshops on September 28, 2017 aimed at assisting potential and existing entrepreneurs.
These free workshops are approximately two and a half hours each and are being held in partnership with the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, Massachusetts Small Business Development Center, SCORE, NewVue Communities, City of Leominster and the City of Fitchburg. Both workshops will be held at the North Central Massachusetts Chamber office, 860 South Street, Fitchburg, MA.
Session I:Fundamentals in Planning, Preparing, and Financing Your Business will run from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and will focus on evaluating and understanding the fundamentals of owning one’s own business. Information on how to get started, where and how to get financing and the loan application process will be presented. Registration begins at 8:00. Continental breakfast will be provided for all participants. Presented by Bob Aspell, SCORE
Session II:Understanding the Purpose of Financial Statements and How They Can Help Determine the Health of Your Business will run from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and will focus on understanding a balance sheet, income statement and cash flow statement. The workshop will also explain how a small business owner can anticipate financial needs in order to operate his/her business more efficiently. Registration begins at 11:30. Lunch will be provided for all participants. Presented by Robert C. Alario, CPA
To register, please contact Sandie Cataldo at 978.353.7607 ext. 232 or . You may also register online at www.northcentralmass.com/calendar-of-events North Central Massachusetts.
Premier networking event connects elected officials with community leaders
The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce will host its Legislative and Candidates Reception on September 14, 2017 from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. at the Chocksett Inn on 59 Laurelwood Road in Sterling, MA. The event is intended to offer the region with an upscale networking event that connects business and community leaders with the region’s elected officials, as well as those seeking public office.
“This is a great opportunity for our business and community leaders, as well as our public officials to gather for an evening of networking and collegial discussion,” said Roy Nascimento, President and CEO of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. “We look forward to joining our legislators at a unique venue like the Chocksett Inn.”
The Legislative and Candidates Reception is one of the Chamber’s premier events of the season, with over 125 federal, state, and local elected officials invited. Mount Wachusett Community College is the premier sponsor for the event. “At Mount Wachusett Community College, we understand the importance of engaging with the region’s business and legislative communities. These connections and insights help guide the college in various areas such as programming and outreach,” said MWCC President James Vander Hooven. “It is vital for our region’s business leaders, legislators, and policy-makers to meet and network so that they can engage and learn from each other. I am happy to support this important event.”
“Gaining access to legislators and those who seek public office is just as important for small business owners as it is for CEOs in the region,” said Ken Gurge, Esq., Chamber Board Member and Chair of the Government Affairs Committee. “This will be a tremendous opportunity for anyone with passion for North Central Massachusetts.”
Government affairs and public policy advocacy is a key component to the Chamber’s efforts to promote a healthy and active business climate throughout the region. Recognizing that the business community and legislators are partners in economic vitality and growth, events like these align well with the Chamber’s mission.
Sponsored by Mount Wachusett Community College, the event will feature an open bar and gourmet appetizers and hors d’oeuvres. Cost for members is $20 and non-members is $30. Registration is available online at www.northcentralmass.com. Please contact Maria McCaffrey at 978.353.7600 ext. 235 or for more details.
As of September 5th, the following legislators and candidates have confirmed their attendance:
Confirmed legislators:
Senator Jamie Eldridge, Senator of Middlesex and Worcester Districts
Representative Kim Ferguson, Representative of 1st Worcester District
Representative Stephan Hay, Representative of 3rd Worcester District
Representative Harold Naughton, Representative of 12th Worcester District
Representative Jon Zlotnik, Representative of 2nd Worcester District
Sheriff Lewis Evangelidis, Sheriff of Worcester County
Kathleen Reynolds-Daigneault, Worcester Northern Register of Deeds
Mayor Stephen DiNatale, City of Fitchburg
Councilor Susan Chalifoux-Zephir, City of Leominster – Candidate for Senate, Worcester/Middlesex District
Councilor David Cormier, City of Leominster
Councilor Pauline Cormier, City of Leominster
Selectman James DeLisle, Town of Westminster
Councilor Marcus DiNatale, City of Fitchburg
Councilor Claire Freda, City of Leominster – Candidate for Senate, Worcester/Middlesex District Selectman Mark Grasso, Town of Lancaster
Councilor Amy Green, City of Fitchburg
Selectwoman Cindy King, Town of Townsend
Councilor Michael Kushmerek, City of Fitchburg – Candidate for Senate, Worcester/Middlesex District
Councilor James Lanciani, City of Leominster
Selectman Walter Sendrowski, Town of Lancaster
Selectman Stanley Starr, Town of Lancaster
Selectman Jamie Toale, Town of Lunenburg
Councilor Dean Tran, City of Fitchburg
Selectman Wayne Walker, Town of Westminster
Town Administrator Ross Perry, Town of Sterling
Confirmed Candidates:
Robert K. Massie, Gubernatorial Candidate
Jeffrey Sossa-Paquette, Candidate for US House of Representatives – Second Congressional District
Thomas F. Ardinger, Candidate for Senate, Worcester/Middlesex District
Michael Mahan, Candidate for Senate, Worcester/Middlesex District
Louis Marino, Candidate for Senate, Worcester/Middlesex District
Andrew Couture, Candidate for City Councilor/Councilor-at-large – City of Fitchburg
Heather De Jesus, Candidate for City Councilor/Ward 6 – City of Fitchburg
Marisa Fleming, Candidate for City Council/Ward 5 – City of Fitchburg
Michael Hurley, Candidate for City Councilor/Councilor-at-large – City of Fitchburg
Cheryl Maguy-Stewart, Candidate for City Council/ Ward 2 – City of Fitchburg
Brandon Robbins, Candidate for City Council/Councilor-at-large – City of Leominster
Sam Squailia, Candidate for City Councilor/Councilor-at-large, City of Fitchburg
Elizabeth Walsh, Candidate for City Councilor/Ward 6 – City of Fitchburg
Isabelle Alera, Candidate for School Committee/Ward 3 – City of Leominster
Joshua Klaus, Candidate for School Committee/Ward 3 – City of Leominster
The North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation and ReImagine North of Main have announced that they are collaborating on an effort to expand financing to entrepreneurs and existing small businesses in the North of Main neighborhood in the City of Fitchburg. ReImagine is providing a grant of $25,000 for a loan loss reserve that will be leveraged with capital from the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation to provide micro-loans of up to $50,000. The fund will be focused upon assisting ventures which seek to locate or are already located in the North of Main neighborhood, with priority given to the Main Street commercial district. This project supports existing efforts around revitalization of the downtown business district and helps stimulate new entrepreneurism and investment in the North of Main.
Eligible loan participants may include any existing venture or new venture that proposes to add value and diversification to the business climate of the North of Main neighborhood and/or create jobs in the community. Special consideration will be made to restaurants, specialty foods, shoe and apparel stores, art galleries, entertainment coffeehouses, and creative-based businesses including graphic design, music and video production. Loans made can be used for working capital, leasehold improvements, machinery and equipment, furniture and fixtures, and refinancing of business credit card debt. The interest rates are flexible, but generally close to the current fixed market rate.
The organizations anticipate that the collaboration will support 3-6 loans to North of Main businesses that will mitigate lender risk and reduce borrowing costs for businesses and create 1-2 new businesses on Main Street through start-up costs supported by the fund.
“We are excited to partner with ReImagine North of Main to expand economic opportunity in the community,” said Roy M. Nascimento, IOM, President and CEO of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. “This collaboration will allow the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation the ability to provide more microloans to small and emerging businesses and support collective efforts in the community focused on economic development.”
The collaboration also seeks to engage with the private sector and municipal plans to connect financing resources with opportunities in and around the North of Main to improve entrepreneurship.
“Fitchburg’s downtown, through the many efforts of our City, community partners, and the business community, is on the rise thanks to coordinated efforts like this,” said Patricia Pistone, ReImagine North of Main Coordinator and Vice President of Planning at Montachusett Opportunity Council. “We hope these funds can be used to further investment in Main Street by attracting unique new businesses. ReImagine North of Main is very excited to be a part of an opportunity that will contribute to the long-term success of the City and, more importantly, its residents.”
The funding originated from the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston’s Working Cities Challenge Initiative, a grant program designed to advance collaborative leadership in smaller, postindustrial cities to transform the lives of their low-income residents. ReImagine North of Main received $150,000 in tactical funds to support strategies to support the revitalization of the downtown area and surrounding neighborhood.
This financing initiative was developed to support the City of Fitchburg’s efforts to support downtown revitalization. Tom Skwierawski, the City of Fitchburg’s Executive Director of Planning and Community Development, stated that “Fitchburg is a place that cultivates entrepreneurship, a place where prospective businesses feel they can make their dreams a reality. We will continue our efforts to become more business-friendly and are happy to join with committed partners—like ReImagine and the North Central Massachusetts Chamber—who, through programs like this, will help us make it happen.”
For additional information or to inquire about a loan, please call 978.353.7607 or visit www.choosenorthcentral.com
The North Central Golf Tour: Friday on the Fairway at Templewood Golf Course
July 31, 2026
Friday on the Fairway at Templewood Golf Course
July 31, 2026
Templewood Golf Course
Event Start at 1:00pm View
Event
Fore Then Pore: Golf Clinic, 9 Hole Play & End of Summer Bash
August 21, 2026
Golf Clinic, 9 Hole Play & End of Summer Bash
August 21, 2026
The Woods of Westminster
Event Start at 1:00pm View
Event
Sponsors Reception: Old Mill
August 26, 2026
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
MLK Day of Service
January, 14, 2018
10am—2pm
YMCA
55 Wallace Avenue
Fitchburg, MA
In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the MLK Day of Service, youth peer leaders from LUK, Inc., Montachusett Opportunity Council (MOC), and the YMCA of Fitchburg are collecting warm clothing for those in need, from infants to adults.
The collection period will run from November 1, 2017 to January 14, 2018.
The items will be distributed on Sunday, January 14, 2018 as part of the youths’ service project.
For more information, contact Najid Figueroa at or 800-579-0000.
LUK, Inc.
545 Westminster Street
Fitchburg, MA 01420
800-579-0000
www.LUK.org
Items Needed Coats Gloves Hats Scarves New Socks
Drop-off Locations
LUK, Inc.—545 Westminster St.
LUK, Inc.—99 Day St.
MOC—356 B Broad St. 4th Floor
YMCA—55 Wallace Ave.
Virtual Worst Plant Tour: Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) Roundtable
Friday, December 1, 2017, 8:00 – 9:30 am Join Corey Briggs from Ramboll Environ for an energetic, audience participation-focused virtual EHS tour of “the worst plant in the world” using digital renderings of real-world EHS issues. The overall goal of this session is to educate participants about hazard and risk assessment techniques, and various compliance audit scenarios. This is a great opportunity to learn to better recognize workplace EHS hazards and compliance issues. The meeting will be held at: 33 Andrews Parkway, Devens. Please RSVP
This is not something you can just figure out at the last minute. You need to respond instinctively and quickly. This class will provide you with the necessary information and tactics to better your chances of survival should you get caught in one of these horrific events.
DATE: Monday, December 11, 2017
TIME: Runs 6pm to 9:15pm
LOCATION: South Fitchburg Hunting & Fishing Club
60 Warren Road
Townsend, MA 01469
COST: $45 (payable in advance by cash, check or credit
card)
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DATE: Tuesday, December 12, 2017
TIME: Runs 6pm to 9:15pm
LOCATION: Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce
670 Linwood Ave. – Bldg A
Whitinsville, MA 01588
COST: $45 (payable in advance by cash, check or credit
card)
Call NOW to ensure you reserve your seat in one of these classes.
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.
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