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 pleased to announce the next edition of the “CEO Unplugged” series will feature Lillian Burkart, president of Burkart-Phelan, Inc on March 30, 2016. HYPE! (Helping Young Professional Emerge) was introduced in 2012 to support the growing young professionals’ community by connecting members socially and through personal and professional development programs, with the CEO Unplugged introduced in 2015.
The CEO Unplugged series gives young professionals access to local leaders for a chance to connect and learn about their journey to success. Attendees will have a chance to meet with a local CEO in their workplace to discuss professional development such as leadership values, entrepreneurship, investment in community and career paths. The program will run from 7:30 am to 9 am bi-monthly. Attendance is open to any young professionals within the Chamber membership. But, seats will be limited to no more than 20 people. The program is free, but pre-registration is required.
Burkart-Phelan, Inc. is a world renowned flute and piccolo manufacturer with more than 30 years of experience. Each instrument is handcrafted and available in 35 countries and 6 continents. Lillian Burkart, president of the company, will discuss her niche brand as well as provide a tour of the workshop.
For more information or to register, please contact the Chamber at 978-353-7600 ext. 235 or visit www.northcentralmass.com.
Johnny Appleseed Trail Association to offer region’s first Tourism Update Breakfast
Forum to bring together tourism related businesses and organizations in the region
The Johnny Appleseed Trail Association (JATA) and the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce are pleased to announce the first Tourism Update Breakfast being held on Thursday, March 31, 2016 at Wachusett Mountain Ski Area, 499 Mountain Road, Princeton, MA. This exciting and fast paced breakfast event features industry experts who will share their professional insights on marketing North Central Massachusetts.
Mark Preston, of TripAdvisor, will discuss reputation branding and utilizing resources afforded online. While serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in a small community in the Andes Mountains in Ecuador 15 years ago, Mark learned the true power and influence travel and tourism can have on a local economy. Since that time, Mark has leveraged those learnings across his career. As an 8-year veteran of TripAdvisor Media Group, Mark has helped strategically plan and customize online campaigns for partners worldwide; ranging from well-known airlines such as United, Continental and American Airlines to Online Travel Agencies like Hotwire, Booking.com, and Agoda.
North Central’s own Jeff Crowley, President of Wachusett Mountain Ski Area will provide an industry update and highlight the ski area’s marketing efforts. Wachusett Mountain Ski Area is a leader in winter sports in New England with more than 50 years in the ski industry. The Ski Area has grown exponentially since its inception in the 1970’s with the addition of trails, faster lifts and changes to the rental shop. As one of three second-generation owners, Jeff will also discuss the Mountain’s impact and partnerships which support tourism growth throughout North Central Massachusetts.
Tony D’Agostino, has been with the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism for more than ten years as the Director of Research. In that time, Tony’s main projects have been related to studying the volume of tourists, visitors and the economic impact of tourism spending in Massachusetts. These reports support the marketing initiatives and activities of the sixteen regional tourism councils across the Commonwealth. Tony’s presentation will highlight visitor trends, top visitor markets and the impact of tourism for the state and region.
“Tourism is important to the future of North Central Massachusetts and plays an increasingly important role in our local economy” said Roy Nascimento, president of the Johnny Appleseed Trail Association. “We are hosting this Tourism Update Breakfast as a way to bring tourism related stakeholders in the region together to share best practices, learn new trends in the industry and to take advantage of new opportunities to better market local businesses and the region to visitors.”
The Tourism Update Breakfast is open to all community members and will run from 7:30 am to 9:30 am. The cost is just $20 for JATA and North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce members/$30 for non-members and includes a breakfast buffet. Registration can be done online at www.northcentralmass.com. Pre-registration is required. For more information or to register, please contact the Chamber at 978-353-7600 ext. 235 or visit www.northcentralmass.com
The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors recently adopted a policy position statement on high speed internet infrastructure. The position statement calls for greater investments in high speed internet and cooperation between service providers, the business community, and government in order to bring North Central Massachusetts’ broadband infrastructure to be on par with the rest of the state.
“In this information age, this is a vital and basic resource for businesses and schools,” said Doug Peterson, Chairman of the Board of Directors for the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. “Anything less than the highest available speed is putting us at a serious disadvantage.”
“The current internet capacity in our part of the state would not be acceptable in Metro West and Greater Boston area,” said Roy Nascimento, president and CEO of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. “In order for our children and future generations to have a competitive edge, we need to take a serious approach at bridging this gap.”
Many parts of North Central Massachusetts including major urban areas and major industrial and commercial spaces are lacking cable infrastructure that provides access to high speed internet.
The position statement calls for cable and broadband infrastructure to be deemed a critical infrastructure, allowing upgrades to be subsidized by state infrastructure dollars and economic development grants. The statement also calls for loosening of roadblocks or other barriers to competition so that companies can more easily provide service to communities with sub-par internet capacity. Current market models for internet service providers limit customer choice; the Chamber’s statement hopes that greater competition in the market would drive better access to underserved areas.
Wireline availability in Massachusetts varies depending on internet service provider and available pole and underground infrastructure. Costs for improving infrastructure typically require investments from service providers and communities depending on cost of construction or improvements.
For more information on policy position statements visit the Chamber’s website, www.northcentralmass.com or contact Patrick Lawlor, public affairs manager at (978) 353-7600 ext. 224.
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
Connect North Central
December 11, 2026
Join us for our last Connect North Central of the year!
Friday, December 11, 2026
8am-9am 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
Interviews are now being scheduled for anyone interested in becoming a Tour Guide (Docent) at the Fitchburg Art Museum. Participants do not need to have a background in art, but should have an interest in art and a strong desire to learn and share with others.
Docents are trained by Museum staff and outside experts on art history, the museum’s collections, special exhibitions and tour techniques, acquiring the skills to give engaging tours to visitors of all ages. They are required to make a two-year commitment of museum service upon completion of the course. The New Docent Training Program begins September 13th.
Contact Ann Descoteaux, Director of Docents, at (978) 345-4207 x302 or .
Pinkalicious can’t stop eating pink cupcakes despite warnings from her parents. Her pink indulgence lands her at the doctor’s office with Pinkititis, an affliction that turns her pink from head to toe – a dream come true for this pink loving enthusiast. But when her hue goes too far, only Pinkalicious can figure out a way to get out of this predicament. PINKALICOUS THE MUSICAL is about learning the power of self-control and the importance of moderation.
Director – Kyle Carlson
Music Director – Katrina Baer
Choreographer – Emily Smith
CAST REQUIREMENTS – Ensemble of teens (ages 14 and up)
WHERE AND WHEN
Where? Mount Wachusett Community College, room 182
When? Monday, July 24 and Wednesday, July 26 at 6:30PM sharp – no appointment needed
Performance Dates: Show at the Mount on October 28 at 2:00pm; on tour October 5, 6, 19, 20, 27 (Tour dates are weekdays – performers should plan on missing school on these dates)
Tentative Rehearsal Schedule: Sunday afternoons, Tuesday and Thursday evenings beginning August 13.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
AUDITIONERS WILL BE ASKED TO SING A SHORT VOCAL SELECTION THAT WILL BE TAUGHT AT THE AUDITION; AND THERE WILL BE A DANCE AUDITION, (combination also taught at the audition) FOR ALL ROLES AND CHORUS (wear appropriate clothing and footwear). Some performers will also be asked to do cold-readings from the script.
The Career Center is assisting several production companies to fill carpenter, Welder and artist positions for multiple projects throughout central Mass. If you know of any tradespeople with any of these skills, please ask them to forward a resume to me.
Over the next several weeks, we are looking to identify a dozen or more highly skilled carpenters who could become propmakers, a half-dozen highly skilled welders and up to ten scenic artists.
The target date for the hiring is July 11th, so we’re looking for candidates who can start immediately. All work is project based and pay around $30/hour and include benefits. People work from production to production. Work can last a week or several months.
There are some key factors to consider when selecting candidates:
Flexible-re: worktimes, hours, etc. Can work 7-12 hours each day 6-7 days each week. Good transportation is a must along with a valid driver’s license.
Reliable- zero tolerance for no shows or lateness and good attitude is required. Movie sets and shops can be intense pressure. Mature attitude, respectful and safety conscious.
Propmaking is not carpentry- props are temporary, often need to be moved and only care about what the camera will see. So, a painstaking craftsman will have a big adjustment.
Thanks in advance for getting the word out — resumes or questions can be sent to:
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.
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