This morning, the City of Fitchburg was honored to attend the One Stop for Growth Awards event with Governor Healey, Lt. Governor Driscoll, and administration officials to receive a $450,000 Massworks Design Grant from the Commonwealth. These funds will pay for the design work for the Moran Square Improvement Project. Moran Square is a heavily traveled intersection and gateway to downtown where Main Street, Summer Street, Lunenburg Street, Myrtle Avenue, and Sawyer Passway intersect.

The Project design will look to reconfigure the intersection for safer vehicular and pedestrian use, upgrade sidewalks and crosswalks and support the connection of the Twin Cities Rail Trail terminus with Main Street. The final construction project will include upgrading water and wastewater infrastructure, specifically the replacement of aged water line and sewer pipe relining to support the on-going growth of the area. The funding will be combined with the FY2024 State earmark of $125,000, received through Representative Kushmerek’s office to improve storm-water management including potential green infrastructure, as this intersection has experienced recent flooding during extreme rain events.

 “This long overdue funding positions the city, in a future round of grants, to receive a Massworks construction grant to implement this design. With the increased development in downtown, and the significant flood events we continue to experience this project is desperately needed,” said Mayor Stephen L. DiNatale.

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: support@coldsprayteam.com

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.

Date: December 7, 2023
Time: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Location: LaCava Center, 175 Forest St, Waltham, MA 02452

Own Your Story – The most powerful things we have are the stories we tell ourselves about who we are, what that means, and what we’re capable and deserving of. That story informs all of our decisions, our actions, our interactions, and our relationships. In this talk Maria shares relatable pieces of her own story to connect to attendees and she shares relevant tools to help others shift their stories to align with a more positive mindset that will create healthier dynamics within themselves first. When we are able to do that, we cultivate healthier dynamics within every area of our lives- personal, business, and otherwise.

About Maria Milagros

Maria Milagros (Vazquez) is an award winning keynote speaker, award nominated author, 2x TEDx speaker, storyteller, personal growth & development expert, empowerment life coach, and love activist. Whether sharing her life experiences and knowledge through impactful talks, workshops, leadership training, life coaching or videos, Maria uses stories to bring encouragement, education, and love to empower others to get out of their way and break free from hindering thoughts or beliefs, so that they can live amazing lives and leave their unique and positive mark on the world. She is passionate about living with intention, creating spaces of love, joy and fun, connecting with others, overall health, and empowerment.

A survivor of abuse, depression, and a childhood accident that should’ve left her immobile, Maria embraces her past to create a present of health, happiness, fun, love, and abundance. She believes that she is able to thrive in life not in spite of, but because of, every aspect of her story. She knows that no matter where you come from, what you’ve been through, or what you have done, a healthy mindset shift, rooting into love, and taking personal responsibility, can change every area of your life, as it has for her.

With over 15 years of leadership and personal development education in her pocket, Maria leaves audiences with relevant tools and shifted mindsets that last well after she steps off the stage. Her authentic congruence, infectious energy, and ability to teach from a relatable and positive perspective leave attendees feeling like they had a fun and deep conversation with a trusted friend.

When not speaking or coaching, Maria can usually be found making memories with her incredible daughter, meditating, dancing in public places, leading group fitness classes, reading, or watching a Marvel movie.

To inquire about her speaking availability, one-on-one coaching, or book “Super Sparkly Everything”, or to sign up to get the free weekly email, please visit her website at www.mariamilagros.net.

The City of Fitchburg Health Department invites the public to attend the annual Community Health Resource to be held on Thursday, October 19, 2023 from 4pm – 7pm in O’Neill Hall at the Fitchburg Senior Center, 14 Wallace Ave, Fitchburg.

According to Sue Christensen, Outreach & Prevention Coordinator, “In recognizing the social determinates of health, the annual Resource Fair is an opportunity for residents to visit over 70 different information tables representing a wide variety of local services.” The topics include housing, shelter, elder services, medical care, youth services, mental health, substance use disorder, veterans as well as cultural offerings. Many city departments will be participating including Health, Parks & Recreation, Police, Library, Schools, and others. Fitchburg Commissions representing include Disability and Human Rights. Representatives from the offices of State Senator John Cronin, State Representative Michael Kushmerek and District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. will also be on hand to meet with residents.

Director of Public Health Stephen D. Curry is looking forward to the event, stating that the annual Community Resource Fair “provides an opportunity for members of the community to learn about a variety of local services available – all in one place.”

The Fitchburg Health Department will be offering free flu shots and blood pressure readings. As an affiliate of the Commonwealth Naloxone Purchasing Program, the Health Department will provide Narcan training and distribution.

A free raffle will be held at the event, with many participating organizations donating items. Refreshments will be available for purchase.