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
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
The Boys & Girls Club of Fitchburg, Leominster, & Gardner is thrilled to announce the appointment of Natalia Oliver as the new Director of Development. Natalia, an immigrant from Uruguay, brings an extraordinary blend of leadership experience, public service, and event management expertise to the role, where she will focus on advancing the organization’s development efforts.
Natalia’s journey from her early days as an Uruguayan immigrant to becoming a key player in Fitchburg’s civic leadership highlights her commitment to community-building and advocacy for inclusive spaces. Most notably, she served as Chief of Staff for former Fitchburg Mayor Stephen L. DiNatale, where she was instrumental in managing the city’s strategic initiatives, public relations, and community outreach efforts. Natalia’s deep-rooted understanding of collaboration and fundraising in the public sector will be invaluable in her new role at the Boys & Girls Club.
“We are ecstatic to have Natalia join us as Director of Development,” said Elizabeth Coveney, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Fitchburg, Leominster, & Gardner. “Her background in public service and event management, along with her ability to connect with diverse stakeholders, will be pivotal in helping us strengthen our relationships with donors and increase our impact across the communities we serve.”
As Chief of Staff to Mayor DiNatale, Natalia played a key role in securing resources for major city projects, spearheading fundraising campaigns, and representing the Mayor’s office at community events and city councils. She brings with her a rich history of cultivating partnerships and managing complex projects. “I am honored to take on the role of Director of Development for the Boys & Girls Club of Fitchburg, Leominster, & Gardner,” said Natalia Oliver. “As an immigrant, I know the importance of having supportive, empowering spaces like the Boys & Girls Club. I am excited to engage with our donors and community partners to ensure that we can continue providing exceptional programs and opportunities for the youth in our area.”
In her new role, Natalia will oversee all aspects of fundraising and donor relations, helping to secure the resources needed to advance the Boys & Girls Club’s mission of empowering youth through education, leadership development, and community engagement.
The Montachusett Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) is compiling information for both the Leominster and Fitchburg Digital Equity Plans. In an effort to reach the business community, we are holding a lunchtime focus group meeting from 12:30-2:30 pm on November 6, 2024. (light lunch will be served) at 464 Abbott Avenue in Leominster.
The City of Gardner was recently awarded the final $3.5 million necessary to complete the reformative Rear Main Street project through the State’s new HousingWorks Grantprogram.
This funding represents a significant achievement for the City’s long-term vision to enhance infrastructure and promote housing growth in our community. This final phase of the Rear Main Street Revitalization Initiative accounts for the construction of a new residential structure, extending utilities to support the residential building, parking infrastructure for the project and additional green space. This initiative is a reflection of the City’s commitment to sustainable growth and improved living conditions for our residents.
“This project is going to make a big difference, not just in the downtown, but across Gardner,” said Gardner Mayor Mike Nicholson. “The Housing Crisis facing Massachusetts is no stranger to us in Gardner. We have seen a substantial increase in the demand for housing in the City over the last few years- leading to a substantial increase in housing costs as the supply simply did not meet the demand. This project meets that concern head on by providing new, market-rate housing for people looking to re-settle in the City or call Gardner their new home.”
The HousingWorks Grant program, which operates quite similarly to the MassWorks grant program, is designed to support infrastructure initiatives that encourage residential growth and developments. The Rear Main Street project has been a collaborative effort from all of our partners at the state and local level.
“We’re thrilled to continue state support for this project,” said State Representative Jon Zlotnik. “As we’ve said all along, this project will be transformative for downtown Gardner. It has taken a lot of time and a lot of work by many people, but we’re in the final stretch now and I can’t wait to see this built out, and the positive impact it will have on the area.”
HousingWorks provides municipalities with grants for a variety of infrastructure improvements that spur housing development and preservation. This year, the administration is awarding grants to 12 communities to create over 1,550 new housing units and preserve over 690 units of housing. The $3.5 million awarded to Gardner was one of the largest grants awarded this year by Governor Healey and Lt. Governor Driscoll. This is in addition to the $4.1 million that was originally awarded for Phase 2 of this project.
“These funds will allow the City to complete the public sector infrastructure improvements to support the private sector housing project along Derby Drive, which is the last phase of a $20 plus million public / private partnership in the Rear Main Corridor” said Trevor Beauregard, Director of Gardner’s Community Development and Planning Department.
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.
“Our receipt of the Phase 3 funding marks a pivotal moment for Rear Main Street,” said City Council President Elizabeth Kazinskas. “Years of hard work and collaboration have led to this significant milestone, as Rep. Zlotnik and our State partners have continued to recognize Gardner’s serious investment in this project. The stage is now set for a fully revitalized Rear Main St. area that encourages growth and pride within our community. We are incredibly fortunate to receive this award.”
Several local business owners have also expressed their excitement about this project coming to fruition.
“Having been business owners in Downtown for 61 years and property owners for 50 years we are excited to see the Rear Main Street Project beginning to move forward.” said Anne and Alan LeBlanc, owners of John’s Sport Shop. “It will bring much needed parking for this area as well as greatly improving the appearance”
Similarly, Sean and Nancy Brey, owners of Downtown Gardner’s newest business, Diamond Hearts Art Studio, echoed this sentiment. “When Mayor Nicholson first met with us about locating our business in Gardner, one of the things that sold us on the City was this exact project and how much vitality it was going to bring to the area – and that’s what sold us,” said Nancy Brey. “We are so excited to meet our new neighbors.”
“If Gardner is as welcoming to these residents who will live there, as they have been to us, they’re going to love living here,” said Sean Brey.
“It’s been so exciting for me, as someone who has been in business for 37 years downtown, to watch this project happening,” said Patti Bergstrom, owner of the Velvet Goose. “This project has all the elements we need to make our downtown, and our City, even more successful and more fabulous- housing, parking, new businesses, old businesses.”
Through this round of the One Stop Grants, the Executive Office of Economic Development received 756 applications from 510 organizations with projects in 229 communities across the state. The Executive Office of Economic Development estimates this round of One Stop awards will help create more than 18,000 new units of housing, including 4,000 new affordable units, 31,000 new permanent jobs, and more than 14 million square feet of new commercial development statewide.
“This is a very exciting time for the city of Gardner and we have seen so many positive changes to our city over the past few years. I know that this Rear Main street project has taken much hard work and effort to get this to materialize. So, thank you to all who have made this happen” said Ward 4 Councilor Karen Hardern.
This project comes as the third and final 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 2 began with the groundbreaking of the public parking and plaza space earlier this month. While there is still some time before shovels will hit the ground on this latest phase, the potential for the area is already being felt.
“The Rear Main Street Revitalization Project has been a top priority for the Gardner Redevelopment Authority for quite some time, and I’m happy to see us reach this milestone,” said City Councilor Paul Tassone, who also serves as the Chair of the Gardner Redevelopment Authority. “In order to grow our business base, we need a population to support the businesses who are opening their doors and investing in the City- and in order to have that population base, we need places for these individuals to live. This project, combined with the project we just broke ground on last week, are huge for Gardner. This takes an area that was once dead, and will transform it into the heart beat of the City.”
“These projects don’t happen on their own,” concluded Mayor Nicholson. “This project is a perfect example of the way things get accomplished when local officials partner with officials at the state and the private sector to build a stronger community together. I’d like to thank the Healy-Driscoll Administration, Rep. Zlotnik, Director Trevor Beauregard of the City’s Community Development Department, and our partners at the state level and the Gardner Redevelopment Authority for making this plan a reality. I’m truly looking forward to seeing the ways this project brings new life into our downtown and benefits the City for generations.”
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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