E-Newsletter
An Electronic Publication of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce
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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
Not Yet A Member? Join the Chamber
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 News
Upcoming Events
The North Central Golf Tour: Friday on the Fairway at Templewood Golf Course
Friday on the Fairway at Templewood Golf Course
July 31, 2026
Templewood Golf Course
Event Start at 1:00pm
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Event
Fore Then Pore: Golf Clinic, 9 Hole Play & End of Summer Bash
Golf Clinic, 9 Hole Play & End of Summer Bash
August 21, 2026
The Woods of Westminster
Event Start at 1:00pm
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Event
Sponsors Reception: Old Mill
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!
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Event
Business Benefit Series: Quarterly Roundtable - Cashflow, Financial Literacy for Small Business Owners
Legislative & Candidates Reception
The reception features an open bar and gourmet appetizers.
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Event
Connect North Central
Join us for Connect North Central
Friday, September 25, 2026
8am-9am
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Event
North Central Golf Tour Championship: Fore the Future FLNC Scholarship Golf Classic at Oak Hill
North Central Golf Tour Championship: Fore the Future
An FLNC Non-Traditional Scholarship Fundraiser
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Event
Congressional Luncheon Sponsored by Fitchburg State University
Join us for our 11th Annual
Congressional Luncheon
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Event
Work North Central Massachusetts Career & Hiring Event!
FREE for Job Seekers! Walk ins Welcome!!
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Event
Business Benefit Series: HR Council Legal Update
Join us for this in person HR Legal Update
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Event
Good Morning North Central: Sponsored by IC Credit Union
November 19, 2026
7:15am - 9:00am
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Event
Connect North Central
Join us for Connect North Central
Friday, November 20, 2026
8am-9am
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Event
Member News
Wachusett Mountain Wins NSAA 2016 Conversion Cup Award
Wachusett Mountain was awarded the 2016 National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) Conversion Cup Challenge, sponsored by HEAD Wintersports, at the NSAA National Convention recently held in Nashville. This annual award recognizes resorts across the country that have developed outstanding programs to convert new skiers and snowboarders into lifelong enthusiasts.
Wachusett was selected among a strong field of ski areas from across the U.S. The other two finalists were Mission Ridge Ski & Board Resort, Wash., and Stevens Pass, Wash. NSAA launched the initiative in 2010 as a way to pique competition among member ski areas and recognize those who make significant strides to boost conversion rates. The winner is chosen based upon proven results, creative ideas, consistent execution, and long-term commitment to the conversion effort. Several key metrics are used in the judging process, including beginner lesson volumes; quantifiable success of beginner lesson packages; season-to-date sales and repeat sales data collection; and marketing ingenuity and use of new media.
Wachusett won the honor based on creative ideas, a logical learning progression—beyond the initial package offer—measurable results, solid execution, and long-term commitment to the conversion effort. Wachusett has been converting new skiers/riders for decades, taking advantage of the large population centers of Boston, Providence, and Worcester that are in the ski area’s backyard. “We see it as our job to create future skiers and riders for the industry,” said Carolyn Stimpson, Wachusett’s vice president of resort services.
Using customer data and analytics, Wachusett has designed various beginner programs that are targeted to specific audiences—augmented with follow-up emails—to help ensure they return. The two primary learn-to programs are the one-day Learn-To-Turn package (lesson, rental, and lift ticket for $99), and a three-day package (lesson, rental, and lift ticket for $199). Those who finish either program receive upgrade offers and coupons to continue their journey to becoming a lifelong skier or snowboarder. Messages with those deals are delivered via email 24 hours later or, for those who do not provide an email address, by direct mail. The number of upgrades from the one-day package to the three-day package is up 65 percent from last season, even in a year when skier visits were down on the East Coast.
Wachusett also has other promotions to bring more newcomers to snowsports: incentives for existing customers to bring a friend; for secondary school students; for those riding public transportation; and other programs to make it easier for people to learn. The Conversion Cup Award, a large silver trophy based on a Stanley Cup prototype, is a traveling award. Wachusett claims ownership of the Cup for one year, until the next winner is announced at next year’s NSAA National Convention May 5–8, 2017, in Scottsdale, AZ.
In 2014, Wachusett Mountain also won the NSAA Marketing Award for the best Learn to Ski & Snowboard Month promotional campaign.
Clark University SBDC Wins Massachusetts and New England SBDC Service Center Excellence and Innovation Award
The Small Business Administration (SBA) has named the Central Regional Small Business Development Center led by John Rainey, Regional Director, the winner of the 2016 SBDC Service Center Excellence and Innovation Award for Massachusetts.
“Under Mr. Rainey’s direction, the center provided over 3,300 hours of business advisory services to 649 clients,” said Robert Nelson, SBA Massachusetts District Director. “This data is important because it translates into the creation and retention of over 1,200 jobs for the Commonwealth. These accomplishments underscore the reason why they are being recognized not only in Massachusetts, but for the New England region“.
For over 35 years, the Clark University SBDC has been consistently exceeding their goals set by both MSBDC and SBA. Strong partnerships with clients, banks, legislators, government agencies and Clark University have been at the center of their success. Last year, three of the Small Business Week award winners were clients from the Clark SBDC.
“We are honored that the Clark SBDC has received this prestigious award”, said Rainey. “I am proud that our dedicated team is being recognized for their efforts helping entrepreneurs achieve success”.
Although the center provides many traditional services for helping entrepreneurs grow and succeed, they also deliver additional services that distinguish themselves from other SBDCs throughout the state, including:
- Art Martin, Senior Business Advisor and Technology Specialist at the Clark SBDC was hired 2 years ago and is the only advisor in the state system with this role. Art has recently been teaming up with our Government Sales Advisor and they have been running SBIR seminars throughout the state, helping entrepreneurs get SBIR Awards.
- 10 outreach locations are maintained throughout Central Massachusetts, making it easy for clients to meet with a business advisor.
- The Center actively assists the State Office with the New England Professional Development program, a collaborative effort between the six New England states – by teaching core competency modules, sharing best practices, as well as mentoring new advisors.
The Central Regional Small Business Development Center will be honored along with the other Massachusetts Small Business Week 2016 award winners at a luncheon event at the Westborough Doubletree on May 6, 2016.
About SBA National Small Business Week:
Every year since 1963, the President of the United States has issued a proclamation announcing National Small Business Week, which recognizes the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners. More than half of Americans either own or work for a small business, and they create about two out of every three new jobs in the U.S. each year. As part of National Small Business Week, the U.S. Small Business Administration takes the opportunity to highlight the impact of outstanding entrepreneurs, small business owners, and others from all 50 states and U.S. territories. Every day, they’re working to grow small business, create 21st century jobs, drive innovation, and increase America’s global competitiveness.
About Massachusetts Small Business Development Centers:
The Massachusetts Small Business Development Center (MSBDC) Network provides one-to-one free comprehensive and confidential services focusing on, business growth and strategies, financing and loan assistance as well as strategic, marketing and operational analysis. In addition, low cost educational training programs are offered across the state targeted to the needs of small business. The MSBDC network is a partnership of the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Massachusetts Office of Business Development and a consortium of higher education institutions including UMASS Amherst and the Isenberg School of Management. For more information on MSBDC, please visit: www.msbdc.org.
Committ Fitness 2016 Central Mass. Family Business Awards Nominee
Family businesses – whether they were founded more than 100 years ago or in the last two years – are unique to the economic landscape. Like all companies, they must generate revenue and achieve enough profits on a consistent basis to remain in business year after year, but they have a deeper commitment beyond dollars and cents. Family businesses have a commitment to each other, their employees and their community that reflects the strong ties and values they were founded upon.
Yet, while family values can remain relatively steady, the economic landscape is constantly changing. In order to survive – like all businesses – family-run companies must evolve with the times to stay ahead of the competition and still hold onto the values that makes them unique.
Like family-run operations, Worcester Business Journal must change with the times. To this end, we have modified our Family Business Awards this year. Previously, we honored a handful of companies – usually four or five – as winners of these awards. Unfortunately, this meant many worthy family businesses went unrecognized in these pages and at our awards ceremony. It had gotten to the point where the backlog of companies we wanted to honor had grown to several dozen.
So, this year – much like the Academy Awards – we are announcing only the finalists for our Family Business Awards: 10 companies that stood out from the rest. Then, at our event on May 25 in Boylston, we will announced the winners of each of the four categories, which includes a new category for companies founded less than five years ago. We also will give out additional awards to family businesses that have gone above and beyond for philanthropy, innovation and maintaining their family values in the face of increasing market competition. To find out these winners, we invite you to either attend the event or keep an eye out for our digital update on May 26.
Read more about the 2016 Family Business Awards nominees:
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.”
Inside North Central Massachusetts Podcast
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.
Job Board Postings
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.
- Maintenance Technician
CapEx Facility Services & Construction · Leominster, MA
- Mental Health Counselor Adult Inpatient Psych
TaraVista Behavioral Health Center · Harvard, MA
- Supervisor Operations, 1st Shift
DRS Power Technology, Inc. · Fitchburg, MA
- Quality Inspector
AIS · Leominster, MA
Regional Leaders
Chamber Partners
