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
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
In a partnership with MassHire, the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce will be hosting officials from the MassHire Rapid Response team for one-on-one appointments with local employers. The meetings are an opportunity to discuss any specific matters related to a company’s hiring and retention of skilled workers, as well as to review state resources available to support a company’s talent needs.
Scott Percifull, Program Coordinator for MassHire’s Rapid Response team will be available at the Chamber office by appointment on Wednesday, June 28 between 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The appointments are in thirty minute increments and are first come, first serve. The meetings are free and confidential, available on a non-discriminatory basis, and are handicapped accessible.
The MassHire Department of Career Services oversees Massachusetts’s network of MassHire Career Centers that assist businesses in finding qualified workers, providing job seekers with career guidance as well as referrals to jobs and training. Employers can take advantage of employment and training resources, including assistance with recruitment and hiring, job matching with potential hires, tax credit programs, and labor market information.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact Terry Young, Manager of Talent and Education Initiatives at the Chamber at (978) 353-7600 ext. 244 or via email at or Maureen Babcock, Executive Assistant at the Chamber at 978) 353-7600 ext. 222 or via email at .
Fitchburg | Chamber of Commerce | North Central Massachusetts | North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce | Local Networking Events | Masshire Workforce
Students were recognized during a luncheon at the Mount Wachusett Community College Leominster Campus on May 24
The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce Community Leadership Institute (CLI) Class of 2023 recognized the first recipients of the CLI annual scholarship program on May 24 at the Mount Wachusett Community College Leominster Campus.
Seven individuals who are enrolled with MY TURN, an organization that helps people develop their skills, goals and self-confidence through alternative education, post-secondary planning, career exploration and employment training, each received a $2,000 scholarship. The recipients will use the funding to help bridge the financial gap to attend programs in cosmetology, electrical engineering, licensed practical nursing, human services, or toward tuition to attend a community college or four-year university.
“It was an amazing experience working with the CLI members throughout our program year,” said Nicole Conroy, executive director, MY TURN. “The investment in our youth has been priceless and has led to a partnership that will continue into the future, and our students who received the scholarships said they have continued motivation to work hard to reach their goals.”
The event featured remarks from Conroy and Terry Young, manager of talent and education initiatives, North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. Maria Milagros, an award-winning speaker, award nominated author, TEDx speaker, storyteller and empowerment life coach, provided the keynote address.
The non-traditional scholarships were an outgrowth of a community project undertaken by the CLI Class of 2023. Funding was provided by local companies and individuals as a result of outreach by the CLI Class. The CLI Scholarship Committee, comprised of eight CLI class members, selected the recipients from applications submitted by individuals participating in the MY TURN, Inc. program who did not qualify for traditional scholarships or other funding opportunities.
The Chamber developed the CLI program in 1988 to inspire a new generation of community leaders to enthusiastically assume important roles in their community while motivating participants from diverse backgrounds to be influential in the region’s future. CLI is dedicated to providing participants with individual leadership skills and a deep understanding of the region. Participants are sponsored for the nine-month program by their business and are seen as leaders or potential leaders within their company and community. In addition to the monthly day-long sessions, participants are required to work in teams on different community projects that can have an impact in the region. Previous CLI projects included the creation of a new non-profit organization to help with holiday gifts for families dealing with a loved one’s cancer diagnosis to a project designed to improve the appearance of vacant business windows in a downtown business district to create interest in future business development and community inclusion.
For more information on the Community Leadership Institute, through the North Central Massachusetts Chamber Commerce, please visit northcentralmass.com or call 978.353.7600, ext. 222. The Chamber is now accepting applications for the Community Leadership Institute Class of 2024.
Chamber of Commerce | North Central Massachusetts | North Central Massachusetts Chamber | Massachusetts Education System | Massachusetts Education Investments | Massachusetts Community Investments | Community Leadership Institute | Class of 2023 Awards | Non-Traditional Scholarships
Sign provides recognition of civic pride for residents and visitors alike
The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce announced it has sponsored the construction of a new welcome sign for the City of Gardner on Route 140 between the Route 2 Exit 90B off ramp and Mount Wachusett Community College.
The new sign is part of a project to construct welcoming signs at key gateways in communities throughout the region to boost civic pride and serve as a positive first impression for visitors. The project was partially funded by a grant secured by the Chamber.
The signs were designed and produced by Add-A-Sign in Leominster and represent the region’s traditional New England style. The Gardner welcome sign includes a carving of the City of Gardner seal and is painted in the proud city color of blue and gold. In addition to Gardner, similar welcome signs have been installed at key gateways in Fitchburg, Leominster, Sterling and Westminster, with additional signs planned for Hubbardston, Lunenburg and Pepperell. Each sign is carved with the community’s seal and painted to match their official colors. Additional signs will be constructed for other communities in North Central Massachusetts as funding becomes available.
“One of the goals of our regional economic redevelopment plan, One North Central, was to capitalize on our region’s unique locations,” said Roy Nascimento, President and CEO, North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. “Each city brings a distinctive experience to the region and with this project, those entering Gardner will learn about the city while receiving a warm welcome as they arrive.”
“Whether we are welcoming residents home or visitors to the Furniture Capital of New England, we are proud of our rich history here in Gardner and grateful to the Chamber for offering to install the sign as a way to share our legacy with those who travel on one of our gateway roads,” said Mayor Michael Nicholson, City of Gardner.
Gardner | Chamber of Commerce | North Central Massachusetts | Economic Development | North Central Massachusetts Chamber | New England Town | Worcester County | Community Development | Economic Diversity | Gardner Welcome Signage
The North Central Golf Tour: Friday on the Fairway at Templewood Golf Course
July 31, 2026
Friday on the Fairway at Templewood Golf Course
July 31, 2026
Templewood Golf Course
Event Start at 1:00pm View
Event
Fore Then Pore: Golf Clinic, 9 Hole Play & End of Summer Bash
August 21, 2026
Golf Clinic, 9 Hole Play & End of Summer Bash
August 21, 2026
The Woods of Westminster
Event Start at 1:00pm View
Event
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! View
Event
Berkshire Bank, a leading community bank with financial centers in New England and New York, announced more than $426,000 in Foundation philanthropic investments during the third quarter of 2023. These investments contributed to helping the communities Berkshire Bank serves.
According to Foundation Director Lori Gazzillo Kiely, “The Berkshire Bank Foundation is committed to supporting programs that provide equitable opportunities for economic prosperity. During the third quarter of 2023, we assisted 124 nonprofit organizations with funding to support community needs. In addition, we supported programs that align with Berkshire Bank’s Center for Women, Wellness, and Wealth (CWWW) that provides opportunities for women to build a future enriched with financial stability, balance, and growth.
Cold spray and large-scale additive manufacturing experts come together for discussion on the advances of the technologies at the 2023 Action Team event earlier this summer.
Solvus Global, an organization which aims to create a positive impact on the world through the innovation, incubation, and transition of advanced manufacturing technology, hosted nearly 400 attendees in-house at the DCU Center in Worcester, MA on June 20-22 for the annual 2023 Action Team Event. The three-day hybrid conference comprised of both the Cold Spray Action Team (CSAT) and Large Scale Additive Action Team (LSAAT) meetings.
With global attendance from more than 10 countries, participants included a wide range of universities and government institutions with focuses on cold spray and additive manufacturing research and development (R&D).
Lecture-style presentations provided insight into a variety of cold-spray-related topics spanning from advancements in equipment, quality assurance, powder materials to aerospace/ aviation, power & energy, and other applications as part of CSAT 2023. LSAAT 2023 brought forth a heavy focus on large format advanced manufacturing technologies, namely Friction Stir Additive Manufacturing (FSAM), Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM), Laser Bed Fusion, Electron Beam (EB), etc.
50+ speakers took to the stage to highlight new developments in technology, research, project pathways, and more. The first-ever LSAAT expert panel touched on the impact of workforce development on advanced manufacturing sector as “hurdles on the path to efficiency.”
The exhibitor concourse was full of productive conversations and intimate networking that spurred collaboration and partnerships following the event. VRC Metal Systems, Titomic, SPEE3D, and ADDiTEC represented some of the leading industry original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) amongst 25 sponsors of the 2023 Action Team Event.
Student researchers and post-doctoral fellows presented a record-high of 32 posters on display at the event. The CSAT and LSAAT Organizing Committee received substantial submissions from Northeastern University, Florida International University, Rowan University, and University of Massachusetts Amherst in addition to many other accredited schools.
The conference crowd stopped by the Worcester Red Sox baseball game to continue networking and to unwind with America’s favorite pastime, where the WooSox took home a victory against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs.
To conclude the 2023 Action Team Event, a reception was held at the Solvus Global Center for Scaled Innovations in Manufacturing (cSIM) facility with the debut of their latest WAAM system, the ABB Fronius for robotic welding, alongside demonstrations of the WarpSPEE3D and the Bond Technologies GL7 friction stir welding system.
Learn more on the Cold Spray Action Team and Large Scale Additive Action Team by visiting the respective websites for information regarding events, free webinars, and sponsorship opportunities. Contact the organizing committee directly via email:
About Cold Spray Action Team
Founded by Dr. Victor K. Champagne Jr. more than 10 years ago, the Cold Spray Action Team originated in Worcester, MA to introduce cold spray technology to the engineering community and further cold spray efforts toward commercialization. Today, CSAT is a hub for connecting all members of the cold spray ecosystem from researchers to equipment manufacturers to powder suppliers.
About Large Scale Additive Action Team
Spearheaded by Dr. Aaron Birt, the inaugural Large Scale Additive Action Team meeting was hosted in 2022. LSAAT is on a mission toward creating a community platform for those of advanced manufacturing technology to educate, network, and collaborate amongst other members within government, academia, and industry.
About Solvus Global
Founded in 2017, Solvus Global is a technology-solution provider for materials and manufacturing, specializing in the areas of additive manufacturing, machine learning, and sustainable materials processing. Headquartered in Worcester, Solvus Global operates out of three locations across Massachusetts: research and manufacturing facilities in both Leominster and Worcester, and a collaborative center in Webster.
Join Workers Credit Union For A Free Financial Literary Event on Thursday, October 19th from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at Legends Bar & Grille in Fitchburg.
The Workers Way™ is personalized, one-on-one financial coaching that helps you achieve your goals at any life stage. At this free event, we will walk you through our 6 Financial Pillars (Savings, Budgeting, Credit, Debt Repayment, Risk, and Retirement*) and introduce you to strategies to help you manage your money effectively.
This free event includes complimentary light appetizers
Presented by: Paul Chlebecek, Financial Advisor, CUSO Financial Services, Workers Credit Union Retirement Planning & Investment Center, and Workers Credit Union Financial Wellness Coaches
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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