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
Chamber Unveils New Look
Today the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce is beginning a new chapter in our history – with a new, updated look. We are still the same great Chamber that you’ve gotten to know – with trusted resources, a strong business network and a support system to keep your business and North Central Massachusetts moving forward! But starting today, we have a new look – a new face to the world – that better represents who we are and where we are heading in the future.
Several months ago, the Chamber commissioned the development of a new logo. The objective of the new logo design was to present a fresh, more contemporary look that was both respectful of the Chamber’s brand and history, yet reflective of the organization’s continued growth and transformation.
About the New Logo:
The new logo was created by Ladybugz Interactive, a web & marketing firm and member of the Chamber. The new logo as well as an updated tagline were approved by the Chamber’s Board of Directors at their May meeting following a review and revision process that encompassed several months.
The new design maintains elements of the original logo, while incorporating more contemporary fonts and an updated image to reflect our dynamic regional organization. The swirl image from the original logo – which signified regional focus, leadership and collective action – remains, but has been updated with a more modern design. The new logo design also maintains the green color theme to relate to the business world and to reflect balance, stability, prosperity and growth.
About the Updated Tagline:
The Chamber’s updated tagline – “Building Businesses. Building Communities.” – succinctly communicates the Chamber’s principal mission of creating a stronger, more dynamic and prosperous business sector, while speaking to the connection between a strong business sector and a healthy prosperous community. The new tagline conveys the goals of the Chamber and its affiliates around supporting the economic advancement of the region.
We are starting the transition to the new look now – first on our website – but the transition will be gradual and we anticipate that it will take six to twelve months to fully implement the change on all of our signage and marketing materials.
Virtual Member Stickers
We are proud to have your organization as a member of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. We have created virtual membership stickers with the new logo as a digital badge to show your involvement in and support for North Central Massachusetts through participation in the Chamber. Click here if you would like to take advantage of these new virtual stickers.
Your comments or feedback are always welcome. Click here to let us know what you think of the new look or to provide us with any comments.
The North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation has developed a new Express Loan Program to assist existing small businesses that need quick access to funding. The new program offers a 48 hour loan decision for a loan request up to $5,000 with financing available within a week. If approved, the business is also eligible to receive business assistance from NCMDC staff and consultants.
The new program was developed to help local businesses that find themselves in a situation where they need fast access to capital and want to avoid high-interest credit cards or expensive and un-regulated online lenders. Eligible businesses include existing businesses such as restaurants, retail shops, service businesses, small manufacturers, home-based businesses or other businesses that would typically meet the definition of a small business. The loans can be used for inventory, equipment, working capital or to refinance existing business debt. Loans terms vary on the use of the funds and the interest rates are flexible, but generally close to the current fixed market rate.
The new program was launched by the NCMDC because of concerns over some small businesses having difficulty getting traditional loans and then turning to predatory lenders that offer a quick turnaround, but burden the business with exorbitant and deceptively high interest rates. The high interest and associated costs then make it harder for the business to grow and be successful.
“We don’t want our local businesses saddled with high interest and hidden fees,” said Roy Nascimento, President of the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation. “We want them to consider us first. Our goal is to help these businesses grow and prosper, which ultimately helps the North Central Massachusetts economy.”
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. 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. The NCMDC is certified by the U.S. Department of the Treasury under the Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) program and is a micro-loan intermediary for the U.S. Small Business Administration. Since 1996, the NCMDC has granted over $4.2 million 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 new express loan or the other loan programs available through the NCMDC, please call 978-353-7607 or visit https://www.northcentralmass.com/lending/.
The North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation (NCMDC) recently unveiled a new logo design. The new branding features updated fonts and a new, more contemporary look to symbolize the vibrancy of the regional economic development organization and its work advancing the economy of North Central Massachusetts. The new logo is also reflective of the organization’s growth and transformation over the years while also signifying its connection as an affiliate to the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce.
“This rebranding is coming at a perfect time as we are in the process of adding new and progressive programs that will make it easier for small businesses and entrepreneurs to receive alternative loans and technical assistance from us” said Roy Nascimento, President & CEO of the NCMDC.
Along with the new logo, the NCMDC will be unveiling an upgraded website in the upcoming month. The new website will make it easier to find information on available loan programs, as well as build awareness about the region as a place to do business. The new logo, and the website redesign, were both created by Ladybugz Interactive, a marketing firm and member of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce.
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. 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. The NCMDC is certified by the U.S. Department of the Treasury under the Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) program and is a micro-loan intermediary for the U.S. Small Business Administration. Since 1996, the NCMDC has granted over $4.2 million 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 North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation’s new logo or its programs, please call 978-353-7607 or visit https://www.northcentralmass.com/doing-business-here/.
Join us Thursday Night for
Al Fresco Fitchburg
and an art raffle for work by
Iphigenia Gossios Burg
5-10 PM
Gallery Sitka
454 Main St.
Fitchburg, MA 01420
Join us Friday, July 28th for
Paint Night with Ylenia Mino
Purchase Tickets Here:
Tickets
7-9 PM
Gallery Sitka
454 Main St.
Fitchburg, MA 01420
SAVE THE DATE:
August 12
Saturday, August 12
2-4 PM
The Dirt Dawgs flex their muscles as they slug a franchise record seven home run to defeat the Seacoast Mavericks 17-3, Sunday night at Leary Field.
The Basics
Score: Wachusett Dirt Dawgs 17, Seacoast Mavericks 3
Records: Dirt Dawgs (20-15) | Mavericks (16-19)
How it Happened
Eddie Baram (Adelphi) got the start for Wachusett, going 6.0 innings with five strikeouts, but did not allow a base runner until the fifth inning. Sean Webster (SNHU) had himself a career day, going 3-for-6 with three homeruns and eight runs batted in.
Wachusett got the scoring started in the top of the third inning, as Webster launched a two run shot. The lead would quickly expand in the fifth inning as Dawgs went deep four times in the inning, as John Stanton (SNHU), Webster, Bradley Wood (Northern Ill) and Zack Tower (Franklin Pierce) all went yard.
In the sixth inning, Wood went deep for the second time in the game, as he hit a three run shot to push the lead to 12-0. In the home half of the inning, Sean Sullivan (Dartmouth) got the first hit for the Mavericks on the day, as he had a leadoff single to break up Baram’s perfect game.
Seacoast got on the board in the seventh inning, as Tyler Soloman (Vanderbilt) hit a two run shot with two outs in the frame. The Dirt Dawgs added five runs in the eighth, as it was capped off by Webster’s third long ball of the game with a grand slam.
Inside the Numbers
Up Next
The Dirt Dawgs return home tomorrow as they play host to the Nashua Silver Knights for Library Night at Doyle Field with first schedule for 6:35pm. Seacoast hits the road as they travel to Lynn, Mass. as they have a 7:00pm matchup with the North Shore Navigators.
A record setting seven Wachusett Dirt Dawgs players were recognized by Future Collegiate Baseball League office on Friday morning, as the league announced its 2017 League All-Stars for the 2017 All-Star Game at Muzzy Field in Bristol, Conn. Tuesday.
All seven Dirt Dawgs Andrew Bene (Shippensburg), Mike Demarest (Adephi), Jon Gegetskas (Westfield State), Jack Gethings (Fairfield), Eddie Santiago (Michell), Joe Simeone (UConn) and Zack Tower (Franklin Pierce) were named to the Western All-Star team as voted upon by the FCBL head coaches.
Bene has appeared in 17 games behind the plate for Wachusett. He maintains a .306 batting average, and is in the midst of a 10 game hitting streak, raising his batting average .194 points over that stretch. The catcher has two home runs and has driven in nine runs. On the defensive end, Bene leads the FCBL with 18 assists.
Demarest has been a major pair of the Wachusetts bullpen who has been lights out this season. In 16.2 innings pitched, the Adelphi Panther product has struck out 25 batters, to just six walks. After starting the season with 14.0 shutout innings, his ERA sits at a baffling 1.08.
Gegetskas has been one of the FCBL best pitcher’s this season, the southpaw has pitched in 5.0 innings in all of his appearances and allowed with less than five or more hits all but once. Gegetskas has gone 3-2 this season, with a 3.16 ERA and a team leading 36 strikeouts. 11 of those strikeouts came against the Seacoast Mavericks back on July 3rd.
Out of the leadoff spot, Gethings has been a consistent force for the Dirt Dawgs. He is currently tied for seventh in the Futures League with 37 base hits and a .339 batting average. Gethings also has three home runs, 21 runs batted in and 10 stolen bases. Against Team USA, Gethings went 2-for-3 with a walk in the exhibition for the FCBL prospect team.
Santiago has made the successful switch from the bullpen to the starting rotation for Wachusett. Since the change in late June, the Mitchell southpaw has lowered his ERA from 2.79 to 2.13. In 25.1 innings this season, Santiago has a 3-1 record with one save, and 23 strikeouts to just six hits. Over his last four outings, Eddie is 2-0 in 15.2 innings pitched , with 11 strikeouts to just four walks, and a 1.78 ERA.
Since joining the Dirt Dawgs in early June, Simeone has made an immediate impact in the back end of the bullpen. He has appeared in 10 games, with six save and two wins. His ERA is a baffling 0.79, while he has 23 strikeouts to just four walks and six hits. This past Tuesday, Simeone pitched a perfect sixth inning for the FCBL prospects as they took on Team USA.
Tower has been terrorizing opposing FCBL pitching staffs for the last four season. This season he is on pace for his best statistical season yet. He currently has a .330 batting average, and leads the team with 23 runs batted in, while he is tied for the Leagues lead with nine homeruns. In the Blast Motion Homerun Derby to decide the game, Tower has 23 homeruns in the two Dawgs win in those games.
Kyle Cala (Wagner) is on the ballot for the fan’s vote. Cala this season has been a major part of the Dirt Dawgs outfield. This season the to-be senior is batting .294 with three home runs and 18 runs batted in. Cala has seven multi-hit games, including a 3-for-5 effort against the Pittsfield Suns on July 2nd, where he hit two homeruns and drove in seven runs too.
Coach Dan Generalli earned the nod to coach the West Team on Tuesday as the West team takes on the East All-Stars. He is currently leading the Dawgs to one of their best seasons since their inception back in 2012, and first place seeding in the Western Division. The team is on pace for 31 win this season, breaking the old team record of 26 wins back in 2014. A pitcher by trade, he has lead one of the most potent offense in the FCBL this season. The Dawgs lead the league in both homeruns (41) and stolen bases (76).
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