Awards recognized clients of the NCMDC for service to community, growth.

Entrepreneur Success Award: Pictured (L to R) Megan Marszalek of MassTech; Alexis Kelleher owner of Crust Bake Shop and Birch Tree Bread Company; Karen Thorne of Main Street Bank and Chair of the NCMDC’s Award Selection Committee; and Roy Nascimento, president of the Chamber and NCMDC.

The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce and its economic development arm, the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation (NCMDC), recognized several small businesses and individuals at its inaugural Entrepreneur Awards Reception and Resource Showcase, held at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Leominster on March 28, 2024.

The awards celebrate entrepreneurship in the region and showcase successful NCMDC clients who are helping to advance our economy and communities. “We received numerous nominations for our inaugural Entrepreneur Awards, which speaks to the innovation, determination, and success of our business owners,” said Roy M. Nascimento, president and CEO, North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce and the NCMDC. “Our entrepreneurs represent the risk takers and innovators that are helping to advance our economy. It was truly an honor to recognize their work, both in their small businesses and in their communities.”

The Entrepreneur Success Award recognized Alexis Kelleher, owner of Crust Bakeshop and Birch Tree Bread Company, located in Worcester. Kelleher first opened Crust Bakeshop as a small bakery in 2007 and grew to a second location in the city in 2020, only to realize the business needed a better kitchen to keep up with production for the two locations.

“We found out that Birch Tree Bread Company was for sale and moved forward with the acquisition for this third business with the help of the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation,” said Kelleher. “I still can’t believe how much our little business and my little dreams have grown in the last seven years, and I am excited for what the future holds.” Today, the business provides 65 jobs and records annual revenues of more than $3 million.

“A lot of other restaurants in the Canal District in Worcester have had to close in the last two years, and I think the fact that we have survived so many hurdles is a testament to our community and perseverance,” she added.

Community Impact Award: Pictured (L to R) to right Megan Marszalek of MassTech; Joshua Halterman, owner of Joshua Allen Design and recipient of the Community Impact Award; Karen Thorne of Main Street Bank and Chair of the NCMDC’s Award Selection Committee; and Roy Nascimento, president of the Chamber and NCMDC.

The Community Impact Award recognized Joshua Halterman, owner of Joshua Allen Design (JAD), located in Sterling. Halterman, who has owned the full-scale interior design business, has deep connections in the community.

“As a small business owner, I have always been passionate about giving back to my local community to bring about positive and measurable change,” said Halterman. “Since founding the company, JAD has sponsored many local sports teams, preschool fundraisers, and provided goods and services for those in need while also offering internships to local high school and college students. This gives students the opportunity to obtain real world work experience in a myriad of ways.”

JAD is also heavily engaged with Rise Above/Start Above Foundation, which assists children in foster care to obtain items and activities that would not be afforded otherwise. Through JAD, program participants receive a surprise home makeover in addition to learning about interior design.

“I helped assist the launch of the Start Above Initiative to provide young adults who have aged out of foster care and are now living on their own with necessities for living independently, as well as furnishings and décor to make a space feel like home.”

The Dream Big Award recognized Kimatra Maxwell, owner of Connecting to Greatness, a small, mental health practice founded and led by an LGBTQ woman of color.

“Our journey reflects the resilience and determination of female entrepreneurs, like my mother and grandmother, who overcame significant barriers to pursue their dreams, making it possible for me,” said Maxwell. “This award validates our hard work and dedication but also is an opportunity for us to amplify our message of hope and healing as we provide a vital lifeline for the more than 400 individuals and their families we have served across Massachusetts.”

In addition to the recognition, these three small business clients of the NCMDC also took home cash awards of $500 each.

During the program, the Chamber also presented its Community Partner of the Year and Banker of the Year awards.

Community Partner of the Year Award: Pictured (L to R) Megan Marszalek of MassTech; Sarah Tavitian of NewVue Communities; Dolores Thibault-Muñoz of New Vue Communities; Karen Thorne of Main Street Bank and Chair of the NCMDC’s Award Selection Committee; and Roy Nascimento, president of the Chamber and NCMDC.

New Vue Communities was recognized with the NCMDC’s Community Partner of the Year in recognition of its active partnership with the NCMDC in supporting start-up businesses. The NCMDC consistently partners with NewVue Communities to support small businesses. Founded in 1979, NewVue is the only Community Development Corporation in the region and provides services in housing development, homeownership, financial coaching, and community organizing.

The agency has been supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs through its technical assistance program for the past 25 years, counseling over 1,000 under-20-employee businesses that have created or retained hundreds of jobs, and secured over $10 million in financing, including from the NCMDC, since 2010.

Christina DiRusso was recognized with the NCMDC’s Banker of the Year Award in recognition of her active involvement and support of the NCMDC. DiRusso serves as vice president of commercial lending at bankHometown. She is a resident of Leominster and is very active in the community, including serving as Treasurer of NewVue Communities and as a NCMDC board member. She also serves on the North Quabbin Loan Fund review committee and the NCMDC’s Loan Committee. She is a strong advocate for the work of the NCMDC, often referring clients or partnering directly with the development corporation on gap loans.

In addition, the event featured a Resource Showcase for entrepreneurs to connect with other business owners as well as with banks and other professional services to help them succeed in the pursuit of their dreams.

Special thanks to premier sponsor MassTech for its support of the awards program as well as corporate sponsor Fidelity Bank, supporting sponsors bankHometown, GFA Federal Credit Union, Main Street Bank, Rollstone Bank, and TD Bank, and media sponsor, the Worcester Business Journal.

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