News from our members

Free Manufacturing Frontline Supervisor Training

Online 90 Hour
February 14, – June 22 2023
Tuesday and Thursdays
9:00 am – 11:30 am

Upskill Your Employees, Build Your Supervisory Pool!

This 90 hour, practical supervisory course takes strong performers and develops them into strong leaders. This course is designed for employees that were promoted to supervisor as well as those employees you are cultivating to a supervisory position.

Each Employer may nominate one person from their company to attend the training.

Please contact Kelly French kfrench@masshirenorthcentralwb.com

Fitchburg Access Television announces move to Main Street in Fitchburg

Fitchburg Access Television (FATV) today announced its studio and offices, previously located at 175 Kimball Street, Fitchburg, have moved to 780 Main Street, Fitchburg. A soft opening will be recognized when the new studios are activated for broadcast on Tuesday, February 7, 2023, during the taping of the “Barbara & You” show.

The new location, which is located on the first floor of the Rollstone Bank and Trust building, provides the same amenities as the former location, totaling 5,500 square feet of creative space, all designed with the future in mind. In addition to the main studio, which totals approximately 1,000 square feet, the space boasts a podcast studio, three editing workstations, an editing suite, conference room, media preservation workstation and a green room/waiting area, as well as five administrative offices. The conference room will be named for the late David Clark, a lifelong Fitchburg resident who served on multiple city boards as well as a volunteer board member and sports commentator for FATV. With a commitment to supporting local businesses, FATV worked with local vendors and contractors to complete the renovation.

“FATV is dedicated to serving the residents of Fitchburg of offering hyper-local coverage featuring community events, civic meetings, and local sporting events to keep our community connected, informed, and entertained. Our members have access to state-of-the-art equipment and training to produce informational talk shows and programs of interest to the residents of Fitchburg,” said Nathan Glenny, Executive Director, FATV. “With our move to Main Street, we are now located in the heart of the city, presenting greater opportunity for growth with increased visibility and accessibility.”

Since its founding in 1987, FATV has called various locations in the city home, including the Wallace Civic Center, the Johnsonia Building, South Street School, and was at its most recent location on Kimball Street since 2005. FATV consistently broadcasts a multitude of programming, including 18 city meetings each month, such as City Council, School Committee, Planning Department and Board of Health. The station is also home to the “Barbara & You” show, which boasts the longest continuous host of a talk show in the country. For a complete list of shows, please visit www.fatv.org.

“FATV has been providing the residents of our city access to government meetings, public information and local sports from the comfort of their homes for more than 30 years,” said Mayor Stephen DiNatale, City of Fitchburg. “With the move to Main Street, FATV will be within walking distance to local businesses and civic institutions, while also being a part of helping make downtown a vibrant and emerging modern destination for all.”

Martin F. Connors, Jr., President and CEO of Rollstone Bank & Trust said, “Our building on Main Street serves as the perfect location for FATV to grow and serve our community. We are excited to welcome them to our building and wish FATV continued success!”

Upon completion of the renovations, FATV will host a formal ribbon cutting ceremony in spring 2023.

Berkshire Bank Named to 2023 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index

Berkshire Bank, a leading socially responsible community bank with financial centers throughout New England and New York, today announced that it joins 483 other companies across the globe as a member of the 2023 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index (GEI), a modified market capitalization-weighted index developed to gauge the performance of public companies dedicated to reporting gender-related data. This reference index measures gender equality across five pillars: leadership & talent pipeline, equal pay & gender pay parity, inclusive culture, anti-sexual harassment policies, and external brand.

The 2023 GEI reaches globally to represent 45 countries and regions, including firms headquartered in Luxembourg, Ecuador, and Kuwait for the first time. Member companies represent a variety of sectors, including financials, technology, and utilities, which continue to have the highest company representation in the index from 2022.

2023 GEI Logo – 2021 Gender-Equality Index – GEI 2021 Members (bloomberg.com)

“Berkshire is honored to be included again as a member of the Bloomberg Gender Equality Index,” said Jacqueline Courtwright, EVP Chief Human Resources & Culture Officer of Berkshire Bank. “This recognition illustrates our continued strong commitment to transparency and creating an equitable workplace for all our employees as we strive to be the leading socially responsible community bank in New England and beyond. I want to give a special thanks to our Power of Women Employee Resource Group and all our Berkshire bankers for their efforts to build a culture where everyone can reach their full potential.”

“Congratulations to the companies that are included in the 2023 GEI,” said Peter T. Grauer, Chairman of Bloomberg and Founding Chairman of the U.S. 30% Club. “We continue to see an increase in both interest and membership globally, reflecting a shared goal of transparency in gender-related metrics.”

Those included on this year’s index scored at or above a global threshold established by Bloomberg to reflect disclosure and the achievement or adoption of best-in-class statistics and policies. Bloomberg collected this data for reference purposes only. The index is not ranked. While all public companies are encouraged to disclose supplemental gender data for their company’s investment profile on the Bloomberg Terminal, those that have a market capitalization of USD1 billion are eligible for inclusion in the Index. For more information on the GEI visit:  https://www.bloomberg.com/gei.

Grow Your Net Worth Through Business Ownership Live Webinar

Join a live webinar with business broker Joshua Meltzer & franchise specialist Elaine Vakalopoulos on February 16, 2023 at 12:00pm to learn how investing in a business can diversify your holdings, accelerate your earnings and build wealth. Among other things learn about:

  • Buying Smart: tips on evaluating a business resale
  • Maximizing your business’ value upon Exit
  • Just how successful can a franchise be?

 

Care Central VNA & Hospice, Inc. celebrates welcoming forty five new team members to it’s organization in 2022

Recruitment Accomplishment!

Care Central VNA & Hospice, Inc. celebrates welcoming forty five new team members to it’s organization in 2022. The non-profit agency continues to be a growing employer of choice and strong performer in North Central Ma. and throughout it’s coverage area with additional employment opportunities available for 2023.

Please visit the Care Central VNA & Hospice, Inc. website for latest and greatest news and opportunities!

LUK, Inc. Invites You to the 10th Annual Kids at Heart Mentoring Gala

Be a chapter in our story! This year LUK’s Kids at Heart Mentoring Gala will be back in-person on February 9th, 2023, from 5:30PM-10:00PM at Great Wolf Lodge in Fitchburg, MA. Enjoy live and silent auctions, balloon pops, live music, entertainment, and dancing!

“We are looking forward to the 10th Annual Kids at Heart Mentoring Gala. This will be the first chance in two years we are coming together in person to celebrate the positive effects of mentoring,” said Hilary Amedy, LUK’s Mentoring Program Coordinator.

Visit https://events.readysetauction.com/lukinc/gala23 to purchase tickets, view auction items, and begin bidding. Tickets are $100 and include entertainment and a catered dinner of your choice. If you are unable to attend, but would like to support this cause, you can bid on silent auction items online or make a donation.

LUK has offered mentoring for 20 years. “The connections that mentors make with their mentees are more important now than ever. Join us in celebrating LUK’s mentors and mentees. Hear from former mentee/mentor matches about their experiences and their stories. Become part of the LUK Mentoring journey!” Amedy shared.

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.

For information about the 10th Annual Kids at Heart Mentoring Gala, visit https://mentoring.luk.org/mentoring-events/gala/ or email LUKGALA@LUK.org. To learn more about mentoring at LUK Inc., visit www.mentoring.uk.org or call 800-579-0000. Become part of our mentoring story!

United Way of North Central Massachusetts Launches Heat Assistance Fund to Help Local Residents Stay Warm this Winter

Gifts to fund to be doubled by United Way and the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts

In response to rising home heating costs this winter, the United Way of North Central Massachusetts (UWNCM) has launched a special fund to help local residents stay warm. The “Keep North Central Warm: Heat Assistance Fund” will provide relief for families and individuals throughout the North Central Massachusetts region.

Gifts to the fund will be matched up to $50,000 by UWNCM and the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts, and every dollar will go directly to recipients. Funds will be distributed through local UWNCM partner agencies throughout the winter.

As costs rise for fuels including oil, gas, and electricity, the U.S. Energy Information Administration predicts that home heating costs across the United States could be as much as 28% higher this winter than last. In North Central Massachusetts, increases could be much higher—up to 40% more for homes heated with oil and 50% more for homes heated with natural gas.

Local non-profit Making Opportunity Count (MOC) estimates that twice as many people in North Central Massachusetts will need heating assistance this winter than last, noting that they receive a call for heating help every 3 minutes and 15 seconds. Communities expected to be hardest hit by the heating crisis include Athol, Fitchburg, Gardner, and Leominster.

Fitchburg Mayor Stephen L. DiNatale praises the fund as an inspiring community effort, saying, “This initiative demonstrates, once again, the rock solid working relationship that exists between UWNCM and the people of Fitchburg.”

UWNMC President Kory Eng says, “We understand that an increasing number of local residents will struggle to afford the high cost of heat. This fund will help to ensure that no one in our community goes cold this winter.”

Gifts to the Heat Assistance Fund can be made at uwncm.org/donate/give-warmth/, or by mailing a check to United Way of North Central MA with “Heat Fund” in the Memo line to United Way, 649 John Fitch Hwy. Fitchburg MA 01420.

Mount Wachusett Community College Awarded Community Adult Learning Center Grant from Baker-Polito Administration

Mount Wachusett Community College was awarded $984,233 annually for the next five years in support of adult education programs offered by the college, including the free HiSET/GED high school equivalency preparation courses and English as a Second Language (ESOL) courses. Funding will enable the MWCC adult education programs to support 269 seats per year, 154 seats in ESOL and 115 in adult education.

“Mount Wachusett Community College is thrilled to continue offering these critical services to the residents of North Central Massachusetts,” stated MWCC Vice President of Lifelong Learning and Workforce Development Adam Duggan. “These programs provide essential access points to educational opportunity and career advancement for individuals across our region.”

“We are impressed by the unprecedented level of commitment to Adult Education services statewide and are excited to be able to serve the region by continuing to advance the educational attainment of its workforce,” added MWCC President James Vander Hooven.

The Office of Adult and Community Learning Services (ACLS) within the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) administers the state’s no-cost public adult education system through community adult learning centers and correctional institutions across 16 local workforce development areas in the Commonwealth.

Through partnerships with adult learning centers like Mount Wachusett Community College, funds help eligible individuals obtain the knowledge and skills necessary for employment and financial security, assist eligible individuals attain high school equivalency and transition to college or technical education and training, assist immigrants and other English learners, and help parents to gain the education and knowledge they need to be partners in the educational development of their children.

Cards For Caring Raises Over 1600+ For Aging Community

Pictured (from left to right) Tracy Dellovo, Bradleigh Pedraza, and Eric McNeil (all of MOC); and CEO of Aging Services, Lori Richardson; All holding a box of hundreds of holiday cards being delivered through the Meals on Wheels program.

Aging Services of North Central Massachusetts (ASNCM) is pleased to announce the annual Cards for Caring initiative for the holiday season set an all-time high of raising over 1,600 cards for the aging community of North Central Massachusetts.

Reaching across the 21 communities across the region, ASNCM, local organizations, and giving individuals, donate warm holiday greeting cards which will then be distributed to the aging community throughout the region who may be alone during the holiday season.

“For the third year in a row, we spread holiday wishes to over one thousand individuals because of the goodness of individuals ages four to ninety-eight! One greeting at a time we do make a positive difference to someone we may never meet. Individuals share that receiving a card makes them feel that they are part of a community that truly cares. ASNCM is grateful to partner with Making Opportunity Count this year and for the generous contributions of AIS Inc., Rollstone Bank & Trust, Leominster High School, as well as our entire community, to make a positive difference one person at a time, one card at a time,” stated Lori A. Richardson, Chief Executive Officer at Aging Services at North Central Massachusetts.

If you missed out on participating this year, Cards for Caring will return in 2023 for the holiday season.
Business or community members interested in learning more about ASNCM’s Cards for Caring campaign should visit www.AgingServicesMA.org or contact David Ginisi, Chief Marketing Officer, at (978) 466-1571 or via email at DGinisi@asncm.org.

Downtown performing arts center gets $2 million federal boost

Fitchburg State Black Box interiorFitchburg State University’s downtown theater restoration project has received $2 million in federal support thanks to the efforts of the regional congressional delegation.

The funds will go toward the development of a “black box” theater to be constructed adjacent to the main theater building in the downtown performing arts center. The new construction will be used for university productions and the public, with the restoration of the historic theater to follow in a future phase of construction.

U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan announced the funding as part of a larger $20.7 million spending package for the Third Congressional District.

“We are extraordinarily grateful for the support of Congresswoman Trahan in securing funds for this transformational project and recognizing the importance that the performing arts center will have on our students and the cultural enrichment and economic development for the city and region,” said Fitchburg State President Richard S. Lapidus. “I want to further express my appreciation to Senators Markey and Warren, our state legislators and city leaders who continue to collaboratively play a part in moving this important project forward.”

The university purchased the long-dormant theater block at 717 Main St. in 2016. The building is already home to the game studio wherein seniors in Fitchburg State’s game design program complete their capstone semesters, as well as the interdisciplinary ideaLab that is used for small business training and other functions. Additional storefronts in the building are being renovated for commercial and gallery space thanks to previous municipal, state and federal allocations.