North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce

As part of our Business Benefit Series, join us on Earth Day for the Beyond Zero documentary screening and learn how your company can take meaningful steps toward environmental responsibility and financial growth, all while becoming a leader in your industry. 🌍🌱💼 📅 Date: April 22, 2025 ⏰ Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM EST 📍 Location: North Central Mass Chamber of Commerce, Fitchburg, MA Thank you to our supporting sponsor: Fidelity Cooperative Bank 🔗 Pregistration Required: https://ow.ly/kMUy50VrUca For more information or questions, please contact: Valerie Bruno at 978.353.7600 ext. 235 or Email: vbruno@northcentralmass.com

✨ Lights, camera, fashion! ✨ Our YP Fashion Show Fundraiser: Empowerment Through Style was a night to remember! From pre-show prep to stunning Step & Repeat moments to candid shots of pure confidence, our community came together in style— all in support of the Young Professionals Scholarship Fund. 💃📸 Thanks to everyone’s support we were able to not only raise our $2000 goal for the scholarship but surpassed it by $1400. Without your generosity this wouldn’t have been possible! A huge THANK YOU to our incredible sponsors who helped make this event possible: 🏛 Fitchburg State University | Venue Sponsor 🍽 E.L. Harvey & Sons, Inc. | Caterer Sponsor 🚶♂️ IC Credit Union | Runway Sponsor 👗 AIS | Designer Showcase Sponsor 🥂 Mount Wachusett Community College | VIP Lounge Sponsor 🎥 FITCHBURG ACCESS TELEVISION INC | Film Sponsor 🎶 Twisted Vine Events | DJ Sponsor 💐 Hillside Florist & Gifts | Flower Sponsor Designers in showcase order: Make Shift Studios LLeya P | @lleya_p Art from the heart From The Heart | @artfromtheheart.studio Jack Attackk | @jack_attackk_clothing Vieira Luxe Couture | @vlcouture Lure By Logan | @lurebylogan Blessed Envision | @blessedenvision Bella Donna | @belladonnaconsignment Cutie Patutie’s Consignment | @cutiepatutiesconsignment Collection by: Zoe Kerr (Ayer Shirley Regional High School Student) @zoann.arts HMU: @glammedupbyjessica @beauty.by.livk @heygoodlooknsalonandspa @hair._by._lou @beauty_by_daysha Photographers: @hillzhouphotographer @wenlz_photographer @digitalnegatives_dng @eterna.jean @fig_photo

March was a dynamic month for the Chamber! From Washington DC to our local communities, we focused on advocacy, economic advancement, and creating opportunities for regional development. Here's a recap: ADVOCACY & LEADERSHIP: We hosted a Legislative Briefing showcasing our initiatives to the region's delegation, highlighting priorities for North Central Massachusetts. Chamber President Roy Nascimento represented us at the prestigious Committee of 100 in Washington, connecting with policy experts and key officials from the new administration. Our bi-annual Leadership Council meeting delivered valuable insights on pressing business concerns including tax reform and regulatory issues, while also unveiling the exciting proposal to transform the former Leominster landfill into a vibrant horse racing and entertainment complex. BUSINESS GROWTH & REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Our Small Business Showcase & Entrepreneur Awards Reception brought together nearly 200 entrepreneurs, resource partners and community leaders. We approved two small business loans—supporting both a promising startup and an established business expanding. Our economic development efforts advanced on multiple fronts as we engaged with developers and met with a company relocating their headquarters to our region, while conducting strategic retention outreach to several large employers. COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS: Our March Good Morning Breakfast spotlighted transformative developments including the Fitchburg Arts Community project where residents are now moving in after a decade of planning. Navjeet Bal, MassDevelopment's new President, shared valuable insights and developments occurring in Devens. We strengthened business relationships through ribbon cutting ceremonies and facilitated connections via our Meet & Greet and monthly Connect North Central events. LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT: The Young Professionals showcased local designers through a successful fashion show fundraiser for our scholarship program. Our Women's Leadership Connection gained insights from a renowned fashion designer about Suited for Fashion's mission to empower underrepresented youth. Our Community Leadership Institute explored the region's Arts & Culture landscape, connecting with creative economy leaders and discovering how arts organizations serve as economic engines throughout the region. TOURISM: We launched our Spring advertising campaign, invested in a new digital kiosk at the Johnny Appleseed Visitor Center, and strengthened connections with youth sports industry leaders. We proudly celebrated our own Diane Burnette receiving the prestigious Larry D. Meehan Lifetime Achievement Award from Governor Healey at the state's Tourism Conference. Behind the scenes, our team handled countless member requests, connected job seekers with opportunities, amplified member visibility, and recorded engaging Inside North Central podcast episodes. #NorthCentralMA #ChamberOfCommerce #EconomicDevelopment #BusinessSupport

Congratulations to Chamber member Comeketo Catering on their Grand Opening of their new commercial kitchen at Rollstone Congregational Church at 199 Main Street in Fitchburg. Comeketo Catering provides exceptional catering and mobile bar services, perfect for your next event. Let them elevate your special occasion with their top-notch offerings! Learn more and book your next event: https://lnkd.in/eDHBPb8s

More than 30 years ago, the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce published its first regional economic development plan, first identifying tourism as a promising avenue to diversify the economy with a strong potential for economic and job growth. To promote North Central Massachusetts as an area where visitors can take advantage of the region’s character and hospitality while fostering economic development and raising awareness through collaborative efforts, the Johnny Appleseed Trail Association, or what is commonly known to our members as Visit North Central Massachusetts, was established as the region’s official destination marketing organization. https://ow.ly/10cL50Vquqn

Take some time this weekend to catch up on the Inside North Central Massachusetts podcast. Find our latest episode with Pickle-It Pickleball Club. Find this episode and more here: https://ow.ly/cOWK50UIPk9. Each podcast highlights a different business or organization in our region. Tune in each week for a new episode! The Inside North Central Massachusetts Podcast is sponsored by Franklin Professional Associates. #podcast #podcaster #podcastshow #podcastlove #businesspodcast #newpodcast #podcastnetwork #podcastcommunity #applepodcasts #spotifypodcast #podernfamily #podbean #newepisode #insidenorthcentralma #insidenorthcentralmassachusettspodcast #mylocalma #massachusettspodcast

Building Business, Building Communities! Thank you to the members of the North Central Massachusetts Legislative Delegation that were able to participate in our Legislative Briefing last week. During the briefing, we shared the Chamber's measurable impact on the region and updates on our transformative One North Central Initiatives. We also presented our FY26 budget priorities, which included strengthening small businesses, supporting manufacturing, expanding tourism, and enhancing workforce development, among other priority focus areas. We also emphasized the importance of fiscal restraint and voiced concerns about proposed new taxes and cautioned against spending increases, particularly given the substantial budget growth over the past decade and current economic uncertainties. We're grateful for our delegation's continued support and partnership as we work together to create economic growth and opportunity throughout North Central Massachusetts. #NorthCentralMA #ChooseNorthCentral #EconomicDevelopment #WorkforceDevelopment #BusinessAdvocacy #AdvocacyInAction

Join us for our conversation with Valerie Housser, owner of Pickle-It Pickleball Club in Leominster. Valerie talks about how quickly she fell in love with the sport of pickleball and how she parlayed her past business experiences along with her family’s sports business background into this brand new venture. Listen in as Valerie talks about the courts, how you can get a crash course if you’ve never played or join one of their leagues. Hear her talk about the facility, other indoor sports they are offering, plus their indoor golf simulator, and activities for kids during April vacation. Listen On Spotify - https://ow.ly/zNFX50UqhqH Apple Podcast - https://ow.ly/rIR750UqhqG Podbean - https://ow.ly/YOxi50UqhqC The Inside North Central Massachusetts Podcast is sponsored by Franklin Professional Associates. #podcast #podcaster #podcastshow #podcastlove #businesspodcast #newpodcast #podcastnetwork #podcastcommunity #applepodcasts #spotifypodcast #podernfamily #podbean #newepisode #insidenorthcentralma #insidenorthcentralmassachusettspodcast #mylocalma #visitma #massachusettspodcast #massachusetts #leominster #northcentralmassachusetts #pickleball #pickleballislife #pickleballclub #sport #pickleballcourt #pickleball #fitness #pickleballclub

Let’s give a warm welcome to our newest chamber member Jenny Cote of RE/MAX Diverse - Worcester! Our combined efforts will make a difference in building a stronger, more connected community. Jenny Cote is a dedicated professional with a strong passion for both teaching and business. Her mission is to empower the Latin community by educating them on how to achieve the American Dream of homeownership. As one of the top 100 RE/MAX agents in Massachusetts as of September 2024, Jenny is fluent in English and Spanish. She has helped buyers and sellers across diverse markets, with a strong focus on Leominster, Fitchburg, and Worcester. Interested in becoming a Chamber Member? Sign up here: https://ow.ly/fcLu50UYXMx

Looking to expand your professional network in a relaxed setting? Rollstone Bank & Trust is hosting a Business After Hours event on April 16th from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM. Come mingle, make new connections, and enjoy catered appetizers and an open bar! (Beer & Wine only)🤝🍻 Contact Valerie Bruno (vbruno@northcentralmass.com) with questions! For more details - Click Link in Bio