E-Newsletter

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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Chamber News

North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation approves financing for Rise & Grind Café and Smoothie Bar

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Funding supports purchase of new equipment, working capital

The North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation (NCMDC), the economic development arm of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, recently granted a $32,000 loan to Rise & Grind Café and Smoothie Bar. A matching loan of $32,500 was provided by the City of Fitchburg, with NewVue Communities providing guidance on business projections.

Funding will support the purchase of equipment, leasehold improvements and supplies at the business’ second location at 805 Main Street, Fitchburg, Mass. The loans enabled the business to create four new jobs.

Managers Mark P. McCaffrey and Alexander C. Schinas opened Rise and Grind Café and Smoothie Bar in 2021 located at 507 R Lancaster Street, Leominster, Mass. Upon the success of their first location, the duo decided to open a second location in downtown Fitchburg earlier this year.

“We are grateful to the community for supporting our business over the years and enjoying our smoothies at Empire Athletics,” said McCaffery. “With the support our community, the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation, NewVue Communities and the City of Fitchburg, we were able to expand our offerings of delicious smoothies, coffee, and a variety of café foods and desserts to a second location in the heart of downtown Fitchburg.”

For more information about Rise and Grind Café and Smoothie Bar, visit www.riseandgrindcafema.com

As a microloan lender, NCMDC can provide loans to small businesses up to $250,000 for working capital, real estate, equipment, inventory, expansion and working with our banking partners to provide gap financing for the final piece of a project.

For more information about the NCMDC loan programs, please call 978.353.7607 or visit NorthCentralMass.com or ChooseNorthCentral.com.

Chamber of Commerce | North Central Massachusetts | North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce | North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation (NCMDC) | Rise & Grind Café and Smoothie Bar | Microloan Lender

Regional Career & Hiring Event Connects Students and Job Seekers With Employers

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The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce is partnering with other regional organizations to host the Work North Central Career and Hiring Event scheduled for Wednesday, October 4, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Mount Wachusett Community College, 444 Green Street, Gardner, Mass.

Adult job seekers, high school graduates, college students in the community, retired individuals interested in returning to the workforce, or anyone interested in learning about full and part-time employment opportunities or training resources in North Central Massachusetts, are invited to attend to connect with participating employers and training providers.

 The event is open to the public and free for job seekers and students interested in connecting with local employers of all sizes and industries to discuss employment and career opportunities available in the region. Those organization participating include Fitchburg State University, the MassHire North Central Massachusetts Career Center, MassHire North Central Massachusetts Workforce Investment Board, and Mount Wachusett Community College.

In addition to participating organizations, employers from diverse industries will be discussing career and employment opportunities for all levels of skill and backgrounds, including entry level, and professional and technical positions in such industries as construction, distribution, education, financial services, government, healthcare, hospitality, non-profit, manufacturing, restaurants, and others.

In addition, the event will also offer demonstrations and various career and training resources available to students and job seekers. Complimentary head shots, resume review, career coaching and various workshops and seminars will also be available. Mount Wachusett Community College will also be offering informational sessions about free training programs available for individuals interested in pursuing careers in healthcare and manufacturing. Other special sessions planned during the hiring event includes a panel presentation hosted by the Young Professionals of North Central Massachusetts. This panel of successful young professionals will discuss topics such as finding the balance of work and family, the best ways to search for a job, dressing for the right job, talking about employee benefits, why networking is important and more. 

Students from local high schools will be attending, including Fitchburg High School, Gardner High School, Leominster School of Excellence, Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School, Murdoch High School, Nashoba Tech High School, Sizer School, and the Winchendon School.

 “As a leader in helping North Central Massachusetts compete for talent and advance the region’s economic prosperity, we realize there is a critical need to help our local businesses find qualified and skilled talent in order to grow and succeed,” said Roy M. Nascimento, president & CEO, North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. “This event is aimed to create economic opportunity, and a strong and diversified workforce for our employers, while providing local students and job seekers the opportunity to meet with a number of employers in one location.”

The Work North Central Career and Hiring Event is an outgrowth of the North Central Massachusetts Talent Compact, a collective impact coalition convened by the Chamber and other major stakeholders to address the complex talent and workforce challenges facing the region. The group consists of prominent business, education, workforce, and community leaders who are committed to collective action and leadership. The event also complements the Chamber’s WorkNorthCentral.com Jobs Board, which serves as an online resource to connect job seekers and local employers while also improving the talent pipeline and better connecting employers to local schools.

Free parking for job seekers and attendees is available at Mount Wachusett Community College. Public transportation is also available via the Montachusett Regional Transit Authority (MART) for anyone who may require it. Check MART’s website for more information at www.mrta.us.

Pre-registration is not required, and walk-ins are welcome.

For more information on the Work North Central Career and Hiring Event, please visit www.northcentralmass.com. Employers interested in participating and reserving a table at the Work North Central Hiring Event should contact Terry Young at 978.353.7600, ext. 244, or Kat Deal at 978.353.7600, ext. 235, to inquire about availability.

Register Now

Chamber of Commerce | North Central Massachusetts | North Central Massachusetts Chamber | Work North Central Career and Hiring Event | MassHire North Central Massachusetts Career Center |  MassHire North Central Massachusetts Workforce Investment Board | Mount Wachusett Community College

North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation announces North Central Emergency Relief Loan program

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Program offers businesses quick closing loans of up to $10,000 for remediation, losses caused by the September 11 flash floods

Following Monday’s unprecedented flooding in Leominster and surrounding communities, the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation (NCMDC), the economic development arm of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, today announced the North Central Emergency Relief Loan program.

The program provides up to $10,000 with a 1% interest rate and all fees waived for eligible businesses and offers an expedited approval process with a quick closing. Loans are available up to six months interest only or deferred payments, then up to a 36-month repayment term with no pre-payment penalty. Businesses meeting the loan program criteria can expect to receive funding within two weeks of a completed application.

“We expect some small businesses will need access to immediate funds as they work on remediation efforts or experience closures for an extended period of time while they recover from the historic floods our region faced on September 11,” said Roy Nascimento, president and CEO of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber and North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation. “With the support of our board of directors and the hard work of our staff, we wanted to provide an option for our affected businesses to ensure they are back up and running as quickly as possible.”

Businesses eligible for the North Central Emergency Relief Loan program must be in operations at the time of the disaster, with funding utilized for losses caused by the flooding in North Central Massachusetts and for flood remediation expenses. Businesses meeting the loan program criteria can expect to receive funding in as quickly as one week of a completed application.

“Should businesses incur expenses above and beyond this loan, we can work with them using our traditional loan programs and full underwriting practices,” added Nascimento.

Assistance in recovery efforts is also available through the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, which reactivated its dedicated email helpline at for businesses to contact with requests for immediate assistance. Additionally, an online resources page has been developed at www.northcentralmass.com/flood-resources providing the latest guidance and resources from local, state and federal authorities when it becomes available.

The Chamber is committed to keeping its members and the public informed and will be posting on the website as well as its various social media platforms as new information becomes available. Businesses and the public can follow the Chamber on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram.

For additional information or questions about the North Central Emergency Relief Loan program, please contact 978.353.7607 or visit www.choosenorthcentral.com.

Apply Now

Chamber of Commerce | North Central Massachusetts | North Central Massachusetts Chamber | Development Corporation | MassHire North Central Massachusetts Career Center | North Central Emergency Relief Loan program

Upcoming Events

ALL EVENTS

Sponsors Reception: Old Mill

August 26, 2026

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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WLC Self-Love Mini Series: Reignite Your Wellness

September 9, 2026


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Meet & Greet: Plain View Farm

September 14, 2026


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Business Benefit Series: Quarterly Roundtable - Cashflow, Financial Literacy for Small Business Owners

September 15, 2026

 
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Good Morning North Central Sponsored by Unitil

September 17, 2026

September 17, 2026 7:15am - 9:00am
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MassHire Lunch and Learn: Building our Future Workforce

September 22, 2026


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Legislative & Candidates Reception

September 24, 2026

The reception features an open bar and gourmet appetizers.
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Connect North Central

September 25, 2026

Join us for Connect North Central Friday, September 25, 2026 8am-9am
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Meet & Greet: The Farm Stand Winchendon

September 30, 2026


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Leominster Mayor's Meeting

October 2, 2026

 
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North Central Golf Tour Championship: Fore the Future FLNC Scholarship Golf Classic at Oak Hill

October 5, 2026

North Central Golf Tour Championship: Fore the Future An FLNC Non-Traditional Scholarship Fundraiser  
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WLC Luncheon | Women of Impact: Leading Through Awareness & Action

October 7, 2026


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Fitchburg Mayor's Meeting

October 9, 2026

 
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Congressional Luncheon Sponsored by Fitchburg State University

October 15, 2026

Join us for our 11th Annual Congressional Luncheon
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Business After Hours: RC Excitement Halloween BAH

October 28, 2026

Cinco de Mayo
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Connect North Central

October 30, 2026

Join us for Connect North Central Friday, October 30, 2026 8am-9am
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Business Benefit Series: HR Council Legal Update

November 10, 2026

Join us for this in person HR Legal Update
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6 Chamber B.A.S.H.

November 12, 2026

 
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Fitchburg Mayor's Meeting

November 13, 2026

 
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Business Benefit Series: Quarterly Roundtable - Work Smarter, Not Harder: Tools That Give You Back Your Time

November 17, 2026

 
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Good Morning North Central: Sponsored by IC Credit Union

November 19, 2026

November 19, 2026 7:15am - 9:00am  
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Connect North Central

November 20, 2026

Join us for Connect North Central Friday, November 20, 2026 8am-9am
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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.
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Future Leaders of North Central: Annual Holiday Party & Ugly Sweater Competition

December 8, 2026

Bull Run Restaurant 215 Great Rd. Shirly, MA
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Leominster Mayor's Meeting

January 8, 2027

 
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Women's Leadership Connection Luncheon

January 20, 2027


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Connect North Central

January 29, 2027

Join us for Connect North Central Friday, January 29, 2027 8am-9am
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Fitchburg Mayor's Meeting

February 5, 2027

 
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Winter Reception

February 25, 2027

 
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Leominster Mayor's Meeting

March 5, 2027

 
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Fitchburg Mayor's Meeting

April 9, 2027

 
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Economic Forecast Breakfast

April 15, 2027

Please stay tuned for additional information.
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Annual Scholars Breakfast

May 7, 2027

Annual Scholars Breakfast May 7, 2027 7:15am - 9:30am
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Leominster Mayor's Meeting

May 14, 2027

 
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Joint Mayor's Meeting

June 4, 2027

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.
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43nd Annual Meeting & Business Expo

June 10, 2027

43st Annual Meeting and Business Expo
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Member News

Foundations, UMass Memorial Health Hold Second Prescriber Training to Improve Access to Opioid Use Disorder Treatment

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The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts, Reliant Foundation and RIZE Massachusetts, in partnership with the UMass Memorial Health Road to Care team and UMass Chan Medical School, will offer a free continuing medical education (CME) conference on April 29 for providers to fulfill new federal training requirements and improve access to opioid use disorder treatment in the region.

The daylong training session, “Transforming Care: Harm Reduction, Overdose Prevention and Management of Opioid Use Disorder,” gives providers from different health systems and private practices the opportunity to immerse themselves in a comprehensive learning experience led by experts in the field.  The conference can be attended in person or remotely.

This is the second training conference sponsored by the foundations, which provided more than $150,000 in total grant funding to advance prescriber education and opioid use disorder treatment in primary care settings throughout Central Massachusetts.  The project aims to reduce barriers to access to treatment in the region, especially in underserved rural communities.

“We are pleased to partner on this training opportunity that will increase the number of providers who are equipped with the latest tools to tackle the ongoing overdose epidemic and the number of residents who will benefit from expanded access to opioid use disorder treatment in the region,” said Dr. Amie Shei, President and CEO of The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts.

The first session held in December was attended by more than 100 doctors, physician assistants and nurse practitioners from primary care and medical specialties.  “Providers across the region are eager for more information and tools; this training gives them the confidence, ability and support to deliver evidence-based care and effective treatment for individuals with substance use disorder,” said Dr. Kavita Babu, Chief Opioid Officer at UMass Memorial Health and professor of emergency medicine at UMass Chan Medical School in Worcester.

These training opportunities follow passage of the federal Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act, which aims to standardize substance use disorder training to ensure that providers possess baseline knowledge in evidence-based treatments and to normalize substance use disorder treatment in the primary care setting.  All DEA-registered providers are required to receive at least eight hours of training in pain management, prescribing practices and medications for addiction treatment for substance use disorders.

The conference will be held on April 29 from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Wellsworth Hotel, 14 Mechanic St., Southbridge, with breakfast and lunch provided.  The session will also be offered via Zoom.  Register here.

Main Street Bank Welcomes David Felton as Executive Vice President Chief Deposit Officer

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David Felton 2024

David Felton, Main Street Bank, Executive Vice President/Chief Deposit Officer

Main Street Bank, a leading community bank in Massachusetts, announced that David Felton has joined the Bank as Executive Vice President/Chief Deposit Officer, effective March 1st, 2024. In this role, Felton is responsible for the growth and development of the Bank’s deposit gathering capabilities with a focus on the Business Banking and Commercial Banking segments.

Felton has over 19 years of experience in financial services and has worked in the business and commercial banking space for the past 15 years. Having held various leadership positions at Rockland Trust, Customers Bank, and Cambridge Trust, Felton has a proven track record of building and managing high-performing teams, developing and executing strategic initiatives, and driving growth through delivering upon a model of collaboration, community engagement, and exceptional client experience. He holds a Bachelors of Business Administration from New England College of Business.

Felton is an active member of the community, particularly in the non-profit sector, serving as Board Member and Treasurer of Boston Arts Academy Foundation, the non-profit arm of Boston’s only public high school for the visual and performing arts, for 4 years. He is also an Advisory Board Member of Understanding Our Differences, a non-profit organization that provides disability awareness programs in Newton, MA, for 11 years. Felton has lived in Mansfield, MA and then the Boston area for most of his life, and now resides in Windham, NH with his wife, two daughters, and a baby boy on the way.

“I am thrilled to join Main Street Bank and be part of a dynamic and growing organization that is focused on serving the needs of its customers and communities,” says Felton. “I look forward to working with the talented team here and leveraging my experience and network to help realize our vision for the future.”

“We are delighted to welcome Dave to Main Street Bank and our executive leadership team,” says Walter Dwyer, CEO of Main Street Bank. “Dave brings a wealth of experience, knowledge, and relationships, and he will play a key role in driving our deposit growth and expanding our market presence. He is also a great fit for our culture of excellence, innovation, and community involvement.

LUK, Inc. to Provide Mental Health Training through Brake the Silence Grant Funding

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LUK, Inc. recently received funding from Brake the Silence Foundation to provide Mental Health Awareness and Suicide Prevention trainings.

LUK will host these Mental Health and Suicide Prevention trainings to promote the health and well-being of Worcester County residents. Participants will learn how to identify potential mental health concerns, where they can receive support, and skills to interrupt harm.

The funding from Brake the Silence will allow LUK to offer a variety of trainings that vary in length, intensity, and scope. The overall goal of the project is to raise awareness of mental health challenges, prevent suicide, and connect people in need to supportive services. By raising awareness, LUK may strengthen mental/behavioral health services for Central Massachusetts residents, encourage individuals to strive for recovery, or support a loved one in their recovery journey.

LUK, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the safety, health, and well-being of youth, families, and adults in Central Massachusetts. As a community-based organization, LUK’s mission is to challenge and inspire youth, adults, and families to realize their unique potential through community-based prevention, intervention, education, and support services.

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.”

Read Member Spotlight

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.

Listen to the Podcast

Out & About

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.

Celebrating Great Wolf Lodge’s $30 Million Investment in North Central Massachusetts

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Discover Your Leadership Potential with CLI

Read More on LinkedIn

Cinco de Mayo Business After Hours Recap

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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.

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Got a job you want featured? Click here to submit a job posting to our job board or email . This is a member benefit. Post jobs at no extra cost. No algorithms or budgets to manage!

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