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 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 is pleased to announce the appointment of Katie White as Manager of Talent and Education Initiatives. In this position, she will be responsible for working with employers, regional partners, and education leaders on developing strategies and programs to build and strengthen the region’s current and future workforce.
Most recently, White worked at the Boys & Girls Club of Fitchburg, Leominster and Gardner, where she assisted in the planning, organization and implementation of services and activities for the Club’s members. She previously worked for the James Monroe Wire and Cable Company, the Career Center of Lowell, and LUK, Inc.
A resident of the North Central region, White holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Keene State College.
“Katie’s background and leadership will serve the Chamber and our members well as we work to enhance the business climate and advance the economy in the region,” said Roy M. Nascimento, president and CEO, North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. “Her experience provides us with a unique perspective on how to actively engage and excite our region’s youth on job opportunities now and in the future.”
“I am looking forward to seeing where my professional experiences and passion for systemic change in education and the workforce will guide me on this new endeavor at the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce,” said White.
She can be reached at 978.353.7600 ext. 244, or via email at .
Fitchburg | Chamber of Commerce | North Central Massachusetts | North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce | Chamber Updates | New Staff Addition | Katie White | Manager of Talent and Education Initiatives
Help us celebrate this collective national honor! The Chamber is launching a new campaign to take our collective “Chamber of the Year Award” on tour to some of our member’s locations. Our members are key contributors to the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. This “trophy tour” is a way to acknowledge our members contributions to our success and share in this prestigious national honor as well as build community spirit.
Here’s how it would work:
1. If you would like to participate, then contact Maureen Babcock on the Chamber team at and schedule a convenient date and time. Someone from the Chamber will bring the Chamber of the Year trophy to your workplace and stay with it during the visit. You will have approximately thirty minutes with the trophy;
2. Snap a photo of the Chamber of the Year trophy at your workplace. It can be a traditional photo of you with the trophy at your business or it can be a fun photo with the trophy incorporated into your day to day activities. We encourage you to be creative and to highlight your business and community;
3. Share the photo on social media using the suggested hashtags of #chamberoftheyear,#trophytour and #northcentralma, and please make sure to tag the Chamber;
4. Enjoy watching the Chamber of the Year trophy journey throughout the region!
Guidelines:
Photo Guide: We encourage creativity and showcasing your business with the photo! The Chamber of the Year Trophy can be photographed with products your business manufactures, at a meeting of your staff, at a project site, sitting at the reception desk, or even at an office lunch. Traditional photos are fine too, such as taking a photo of the trophy in front of your company sign or taking a group photo with the trophy. If you don’t have an office, then feel free to take the photo at the Chamber office or out in the community;
Safety: The trophy is made of crystal, so please make sure to be careful when handling the trophy to avoid damage or harm to any individuals. You should treat the trophy like you would any other valuable heirloom. A member of the Chamber staff will accompany the trophy during the visit to assist, and will sanitize the trophy between visits;
Duration: We anticipate that each visit will be about 30 minutes. If you think you will need additional time then please let us know in advance
Any Questions: Please feel free to reach out to Maureen Babcock at or by phone at 978.353.7600 ext. 222 with any questions or if you would like to schedule a visit.
Fitchburg | Chamber of Commerce | North Central Massachusetts | North Central Massachusetts Chamber | Chamber of the Year Trophy Tour
The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce and its economic development arm, the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation (NCMDC), announced it will be hosting an inaugural Entrepreneur Awards Reception and Resource Showcase. The event is intended to help connect entrepreneurs and recognize them for their success and community impact.
The Entrepreneur Awards Reception and Resource Showcase will be held on Thursday, March 28, 5 to 7 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton, 99 Erdman Way in Leominster, and is open to all Chamber members, NCMDC clients, potential entrepreneurs, and the local business community. Appetizers and refreshments will be provided. The event will also feature a table-top expo with NCMDC clients, as well as resource and banking partners who can assist existing small businesses or those looking to start a business.
In addition to the resource showcase, the event will also feature an awards program to recognize small businesses that have worked with the NCMDC and experienced success in starting or growing their business. Of the awards, recognition will include a business owner who works with underserved communities or populations, a business that provides needed services for the communities, and a business that has shown growth over the past year resulting in quality jobs and increased revenue.
“Our entrepreneurs pursued their dreams, and by doing so, offer new innovation and opportunity for our region that results in overall job and economic growth,” said Roy M. Nascimento, president and CEO, North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. “We hope this event will provide our entrepreneurs the opportunity to not only connect with key resources to help them elevate their business, but also to network with other entrepreneurs to develop camaraderie as they continue toward successful business growth. It also provides us with the opportunity to recognize their hard work and dedication to our community.”
Cost for members is $15 and non-members is $25. Registration is available online at www.northcentralmass.com. A limited number of sponsorships are available. Please contact Valerie Bruno at 978.353.7600 ext. 235 or for more details or to reserve a showcase table.
Fitchburg, MA | Chamber of Commerce | North Central Massachusetts | North Central Massachusetts Chamber | Business Growth | Business Development | Massachusetts Business Environment | North Central Massachusetts Economic Development | North Central Massachusetts Entrepreneur Awards Reception and Resource Showcase
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! View
Event
Join us for Connect North Central
Friday, November 20, 2026
8am-9am View
Event
Joint Mayor's Meeting
December 4, 2026
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
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
On Thursday, October 17, 2024, Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson, State Representative Jon Zlotnik, City Council President Elizabeth Kazinskas, the Gardner Redevelopment Authority, and officials from the City officially broke ground on the Rear Main Street Revitalization Project in Downtown Gardner.
“This project will be huge for downtown Gardner,” said Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson. “This almost doubles our parking capacity in the area and creates new amenities for our residents and visitors to the Downtown. With the anticipated housing production we anticipate in the area, and the large number of new businesses opening up in Gardner, this furthers the goals we have of creating a strong and vibrant community.”
The funding for this project comes from the Commonwealth’s MassWorks Grant program that was awarded in 2021 and will be used to construct a new event plaza, food truck parking area, 100 + space unmetered parking lot, and improvements and lighting to the alleyways in the area. This will also allow for rear access to several of the buildings on Main Street and add new
entry ways connecting Main Street to the Rear Main Street – Derby Drive area.
“This project has been many years in the making and still requires more work to bring over the finish line, but today represents another major step in what is a long-term plan to improve downtown Gardner,” said State Representative Jon Zlotnik, who played an integral role in obtaining this funding for the City. “This is a milestone that could not have been reached without City-State cooperation, obviously substantial funding from the State along with interest from private developers. We’re very excited, with this groundbreaking today, to be able to see the fruition of so much work by so many people to redevelop this section of downtown.”
Over the last five years, the City has invested millions of dollars into revitalizing the downtown to breathe new life into the area. From improvements to roadways, sidewalk and lighting replacements, recreational facilities, building renovations, and other projects.
“Phase 2 of the Rear Main St. project opens our community to more vibrance and connection through infrastructure,” said City Council President Elizabeth Kazinskas. “ I am proud that Gardner has grown immensely in the last few years in this exact way. City Councillors are charged with considering a significant investment for a project like this, typically through matching city funds that are related to state and other grants. Representative Zlotnik, Mayor Nicholson, and Director Beauregard have helped meet our taxpayers’ investment through their work on this, and multiple projects like it that benefit our citizens. I am excited for the completion of Phase 2 and couldn’t be happier that it has begun.”
“As the City Councilor for Ward 4 for 7 terms, I am thrilled to be able to witness the revitalization of Rear Main Street come to light,” said City Councilor Karen Harden. “This initiative shows significant growth and new opportunities for the City of Gardner, and I am really looking forward to the positive impact that it will have on our community.”
This project comes as the second phase of the Rear Main Street Revitalization Project. Beginning in 2015, the City of Gardner worked to obtain the properties along Rear Main Street, leading to the construction of the new street on Derby Drive in 2018. Phase 3 of the project is expected into include additional infrastructure upgrades and an apartment complex housing development.
Commenting on the project reaching this milestone, Trevor Beauregard, Director of Community Development and Planning and Executive Director of the Gardner Redevelopment Authority stated, “This project represents the continued partnership between the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, City of Gardner, and the Gardner Redevelopment Authority, with the creation of much needed parking and outdoor amenities in the downtown area to support the public and private investment taking place in our City.” Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Director Beauregard also credited his predecessor, the late Mr. Robert Hubbard, and the late City Councilor Ronald Cormier, who served as Chair of the Gardner Redevelopment Authority for their visions for this project since the concept began in 2006.
“This is a real turning point for Downtown Gardner and the benefits this project will bring to the community are tremendous,” said City Councilor Paul Tassone, who also serves as the Chair of the Gardner Redevelopment Authority. “The Rear Main Street Revitalization Project has been a long time coming and is one of the largest investments the City has made in the downtown area. I would like to thank all of our community partners who made this project possible. Together we’re working to build a stronger community for everyone who lives here”
Construction on Phase 2 of the project is anticipated to last until summer of 2025.
“I’m very proud of the work that we have been able to accomplish in Gardner to revitalize our downtown, invest in our infrastructure, and grow our business community across the City,” concluded Mayor Mike Nicholson. “I’d like to thank our state officials for their continued partnership with Gardner and I look forward to seeing how this project improves the City for years to come.”
As part of ongoing efforts to revitalize Fitchburg and its Main Street, the City desires to create vibrant public spaces that encourage people to congregate and linger in downtown. The City of Fitchburg recognizes downtown lacks public seating and seeks to commission an art installation that would imbed art in the form of permanent seating. The selected artist must have the ability to design, fabricate and install seating that will be located along Main Street. The ideal proposal will include at least two but as many as four seating pieces that encourage people to gather in groups.
Background and Recent efforts:
Fitchburg’s downtown has a long history of supporting public art, with numerous monuments and sculptures in public spaces including the Upper Common and Monument Park. Not only can public art spur economic development as a magnet for growth, it has also been demonstrated to provide important benefits to residents including improved public safety and wellbeing and giving and opportunity for self-expression to historically excluded residents. In recent years, the City has further embraced a wider range of public art as a type of place making, and has strategically set aside funding through its Community Development Block Grant program and other sources, to create public art in downtown, recently through a number of murals. Fitchburg’s downtown will also be the focus of a cultural district currently in the planning phase; and to that end, the City is encouraging arts and culture based businesses to cluster in downtown.
In recent years, several arts and culture initiatives have taken root in the downtown. The Community applied for and received a Creative Cities grant through MassDevelopment and the Barr foundation, this initiative is about to enter its 3rd year and works to foster leadership and partnership in creative for-profit and non-profit activities. Fitchburg Arts Community in currently under construction at the former BF Brown school, bringing 68 units of artist preference housing to the area, and numerous arts organizations are located, or are soon to locate in the downtown including the Fitchburg Art Museum, the Fitchburg Cultural Alliance, the Boulder Art Gallery, Stratton Players, New Players Theater Guild, the Gallery Marque, and Coffee Corp. Numerous festivals are also hosting in the downtown area throughout the year, including Civic Days, the Lights festival, River City Rhythm & Rock Festival, the Forge In, the Brewers Festival, Juneteenth, and the Latino Cultural Festival.
The City seeks to further diversify its public art by creating three dimensional art that the public can directly interact with as seating. Based on feedback from the community and in an effort to plan for a future cultural district designation a request for artistic downtown public seating has been created. This artistic public seating should be highly visible, attractive and engaging, and create a space comfortable for residents and visitors to sit and engage with each other, take pictures, eat outside, and leave a positive impression. This is a collaboration between the city of Fitchburg, the Creative Cities partnership and Intown Fitchburg.
Please see the full call here for more information about the call and how to submit a response.
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.
From Chamber events and ribbon cuttings to community celebrations and regional highlights, stay connected with what’s happening across North Central Massachusetts. Follow us on social media for the latest photos, updates, and stories.
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