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, the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation, and the Johnny Appleseed Trail Association today announced the launch of the new North Central Massachusetts Champions program to help promote the region through social media as a great place to live, work, visit and grow a business.
Anyone with a social media account and who loves North Central Massachusetts can become a North Central Massachusetts Champion. Whether they live here, work here, own a business here or just enjoy visiting here, they are invited to become a Champion and show their civic pride and help advance the community by spreading the word about positive news and information about the region. The goal of this new initiative is to arm proud residents, local business leaders and public officials with the region’s key selling points and then encourage them to talk up the benefits of the communities located in North Central Massachusetts to their business and personal contacts via their social media networks like Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.
“We are rallying the entire community to get behind this initiative,” said Roy Nascimento, President & CEO of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. “This is a great opportunity to join us on the front lines of economic development and help make a difference in promoting all the good things that they love about North Central Massachusetts!”
To participate and become a North Central Massachusetts Champion anyone can visit northcentralmass.com/champions to sign up. The process is easy and can connect any social network. Champions will then receive an email 2-3 times per month with new and exciting content about the region that they can share. Each email contains a status update and link to the content that is being shared with them. With a simple press of the button, Champions can share the status update automatically on their social networks that they select.
North Central Massachusetts Champions will never have content posted to their social networks without being explicitly notified. Even if they choose to auto-post content, they have the option to opt-out of each post before it is shared.
This new program is one of a series of recent efforts to help promote the region and advance the local economy. In addition to the Champions program, the website ChooseNorthCentral.com and the hashtag #ChooseNorthCentral were recently launched to promote the region as a great place to grow or relocate a business. The Chamber and Development Corporation also recently launched a social media campaign to promote the region as a great place to operate a business, expanded its micro loan program and published a comprehensive directory of manufacturing and industrial parks in the region.
The Johnny Appleseed Trail Association (JATA) helped host a New England FAM tour in May, 2016 with award winning Italian travel writer Barbara Gallucci that resulted in a feature in the April, 2017 edition of Touring Magazine highlighting New England. The Town of Harvard and several members in region were included in the feature. Touring Magazine is the official magazine of the Italian Touring Club Association, which is similar to AAA in the United States. The publication has a circulation of 300,000 copies and a readership of 571,000 people. The FAM Tour was conducted in partnership with the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism and Discover New England. JATA wishes to thank members who participated. The purpose of these familiarization (FAM) tours is to generate positive awareness among travel writers and positive coverage in their travel publications, which ultimately generates additional tourists and additional dollars to our state and our region. The marketing generated from this travel article is estimated to have a value of $300,000.
The North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation (NCMDC) is proud to announce that Little Explorers Child Care Center, LLC has secured a micro-loan of $39,750 for the purchase of real estate.
Lindsey Page opened the Child Care Center in July of 2012, which is conveniently located off Route 2 in Templeton, and attracts families from surrounding towns. With the help of this loan, Lyndsey plans to purchase the building that she currently leases to accommodate her growing business. Quality care, convenient location, and flexibility to suit the individual family’s needs separates Little Explores Child Care Center from the competition; giving her a huge advantage over her market. This loan was in partnership with Bank Hometown and will create 2 jobs. For more information on Little Explores Day Care call (978) 939-8080.
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 corporation with the mission of creating jobs and improving the economy of North Central Massachusetts. 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 with loans and business assistance. Since 1996, the NCMDC has granted over $4,200,000 in loans to small businesses to help grow jobs and the economy in 26 communities in the North Central Massachusetts region.
For more information about the NCMDC and its loan programs, call 978.353.7607 or visit www.choosenorthcentral.com.
LIVE WEBINARS
http://diabeteskareconsulting.eventbrite.com
10/16 from 12-1 pm EST The Secret to Living a Long and Healthy Life is Healthy Eating
You know the saying “You are what you eat?” Well it really is true! In fact, according to the latest research, “about half of American adults have one or more preventable, diet-related chronic diseases and healthy eating is one of the most powerful tools for prevention.” Attend this informative webinar and become educated on what, when and how much to eat! Learn how MyPlate can help you and your family make and enjoy healthy, balanced meals and prevent diet-related chronic disease. Meal planning doesn’t have to be time consuming, costly or frustrating. All you really need is a basic understanding of the food groups, portion sizes and label reading then your equipped and ready to eat healthy, prevent chronic disease and stay within your budget! Make the decision to eat better so you can feel better starting today.
10/25 from 8-9 pm EST Choosing to Shop Better to Feel Better?
You know the old saying ” you can’t judge a book by its cover”, well, that applies to product labels too. The front of the label doesn’t necessarily tell the whole story about the product! Learning to read labels, ingredient lists and navigating the grocery store can help avoid advertising pitfalls and turn unhealthy choices into healthier ones. Attend this webinar, practice while you learn, become an ingredient detective and put your favorite “healthy” product to the test! Make the decision to shop and eat better so you can lower your risk of developing chronic diseases.
11/1 from 8-9 pm EST Prediabetes…Could It Be You?
According to the CDC, “there are 84.1 MILLION adults living in the US with prediabetes and 9 out of 10 don’t know it.” COULD YOU BE ONE OF THEM? Attend this life changing webinar on prediabetes, complete the ADA risk screening questionnaire and learn the simple proven lifestyle changes you can start today to reduce your risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes and its serious, often life- threatening complications by 58-71%! Diabetes prevention is within your reach! Start today to change your tomorrows. Take the first step now and register today!
11/8 from 8-9 pm EST The Key to Type 2 Diabetes Management is in Your Daily Routine
Ever feel overwhelmed, frustrated and distressed having to live with and manage your Type 2 Diabetes? If so, this webinar is for you! Attend and you will learn that the key to successful management is simply having a basic understanding of Diabetes and following the seven AADE recommended daily self-management behaviors. Making small changes to your daily routine will lead to achieving your blood sugars goals and significantly reducing your risk of developing potentially serious long-term complications! Choose to feel better and live longer! Register today.
11/15 from 8-9 pm EST Living a long and healthy Life with Type 2 Diabetes
Did you know that Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure, lower limb amputations and adult onset blindness? They result from chronic elevated blood sugars. The good news is you can help decrease your risks of developing these complications by achieving your Diabetes ABC goals and having regular screenings recommended by the American Diabetes Association. Attend this webinar and start taking control of your Diabetes instead of letting your Diabetes take control of you! It is possible to live a long and healthy life with Type 2 Diabetes. Register today
Since 1952, The Arc has been a civil and human rights movement supporting individuals with disabilities and their families in North Central Massachusetts. We invite you to help us celebrate this accomplishment at our Annual Auction fundraiser, directly benefitting the Family Support program.
Join us on November 17, 2017, from 7pm- 10pm at the DoubleTree in Leominster, where supporters of The Arc will come together for a fun night filled with Live Auctions, Silent Auctions, Raffles, Generosity & Hors d’oeuvres!
Some of the auction items available this year:
Please register online at: www.arcofopportunity.org/2017AnnualAuction
to be part of the fun and to “Leave an Impact.”
$25 per person
Sitka Creations
Fall 2017
Video Promotion
Get your first video created at an astoundingly low rate of $500.
This offer expires 12.15.17.
Offer includes:
• 1-Day Shoot with our Video Team
• Production of 1 Video with titles, graphics, music, editing, your branding and publishing to your social media and/or site.
The introductory offer also allows you to sign-up to create, from the 1-day shoot footage, 5 other videos at $250 each. These can be used in your fall or spring marketing campaigns.
($1,750 value)
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