june 2016 mm -...
TRANSCRIPT
June 2016July 2016August 2016
Volume XXXV, No. 2
N O RT H C E N T R A L M A S S.comChamber takes leadership role on public policy issues
INSI
DE
New members ........................p.2Golf Tournament .....................p.3Amp It Up................................p.3Scholarship winners ...............p.4Staff changes ..........................p.5Leadership Institute ................p.6New scholarship .....................p.7Calendar .................................p.8J.A. Center upgrades..............p.A
MASSACHUSETTSC H A M B E R O F C O M M E R C E
NORTH CENTRAL
Jamie Trowbridge
Annual Business Meeting set for June 16President and CEO of Yankee Magazine is featured speaker
Mark your calendars for this special event, sponsored by Workers Credit Union.
The Chamber’s Annual Meeting & Business Luncheon will be at Great Wolf Lodge in Fitchburg on June 16 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Special guest will be Jamie Trowbridge, president and CEO of Yankee Publishing, which produces Yankee Magazine, The Old Farmer’s Almanac, New Hampshire Magazine, and other publications and websites.
As a grandson of the founder, Jamie
is committed to keeping the company a successful and independent family-owned business. After graduating from Dartmouth College in 1982, he worked in the publishing field for several years in Seattle, Washington, and Cambridge, Massachusetts, before returning to the family business.
Jamie is a member of the Board of the New Hampshire Travel Council and of the Independent Magazine Group of Magazine Publishers of America. He also serves on the boards of The MacDowell Colony, America’s premier artist residency program, and
Monadnock Community Hospital. He and his wife Laura live in Peterborough, New Hampshire.
Join other business and community leaders and attend the annual meeting to celebrate business people working together for the future of North Central Massachusetts. The program will include recognition awards and the commencement for the 2016 class of the Community Leadership Institute. To register for the Annual Business Meeting, contact Maria McCaffrey at 978-353-7600 ext. 235 or [email protected]. You may also register online at northcentralmass.com. The cost is $35 per person for members and $55 per person for non-members. Tables of ten and supporting sponsorships are also available. Please RSVP by June 10.
As part of its advocacy and government affairs efforts, the Chamber has been actively taking leadership roles on several important issues recently.
One area of concern is the lack of access to high speed internet in North Central Massachusetts. This has been an impediment to growth and development in our region. To help elevate the dialogue on the issue, the Chamber has been working collaboratively with Comcast, Verizon and local officials to help plan for solutions where availability of this critical infrastructure is not sufficient.
“In this information age, this is a vital and basic resource for businesses and schools,” said Doug Peterson, chairman of the Chamber Board of Directors. “Anything less than the highest available
speed is putting us at a serious disadvantage.”
Additionally, the Chamber submitted testimony on the Governor’s economic development bill – Opportunities for All. Our testimony called for more resources
dedicated to regional equity and dedicating resources to solving issues – like high speed internet access – to parts of the state that are beyond Greater Boston and Route 128. We also submitted testimony on transportation improvements. More information on the Chamber’s Government Affairs activities can be found on our website – northcentralmass.com.
New Members - Please welcome these businesses
page 2 June/July/August
Brennan Industries Inc.Ian BrennanFitchburg, MA 01420(617) 610-9687REAL ESTATE - MANAGEMENT
Exhibit Technology, Inc.Joe Poretta111-131 Crawford StreetLeominster, MA 01453(978) 751-8680DESIGNERS & PRODUCERS
Mekas ChiropracticAndrew Mekas, D.C20 Mill StreetFitchburg, MA 01420(978) 728-9212CHIROPRACTORS
The 228 in SterlingSharon F. OlsenPO Box 37Sterling, MA 01564(303) 960-6070FUNCTION FACILITIES
Agera EnergyStephen K. JanesGroton, MA 01450(770) 853-0362ENERGY CONSULTANTS
Allstate Prashad AgencyPatty Prashad423 Main StreetFitchburg, MA 01420(978) 342-6600INSURANCE
B-Fit ProfessionalsJennifer BabineauLeominster, MA 01453(978) 840-8252HEALTH & FITNESS
G R O U P S & M E E T I N G S
Our only success is yours.
Start the conversation at 978.516.0155 or [email protected].
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Do you know someone interested in joining?
Contact the Chamber at 978-353-7600 x234 or online at www.northcentralmass.com
Board Member Profile - xxx
page 3 June/July/August
‘Amp It Up’ tour visited local manufacturers
The 30th Annual North Central Massachusetts Chamber Foundation Golf Tournament is scheduled for June 6, 2016 at the Sterling National Golf Club, 33 Albright Road in Sterling. Proceeds from this event help support the Chamber Foundation Scholarship Fund. This year, a total of $48,000 in 24 scholarships was awarded to
deserving high school seniors in the region.
This year’s tournament sponsor is TD Bank and the luncheon sponsor is Rollstone Bank & Trust. Additional sponsorship opportunities
are available and a great way to brand your business! If you don’t have a foursome all ready, then the
Chamber will place you in one. The registration fee, which includes breakfast, lunch, golf cart, 18-holes of golf, and gift bag is just $175 per player. For more information, please contact Maria McCaffrey at (978) 353-7600 ext. 235 or visit northcentralmass.com.
Golf Tournament coming June 6--space available
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We’re Committed to Our Region
The Leominster Dixie® plant is proud to call north central Massachusetts home,
and we’re proud to be a good employer and a good neighbor. We have a long history of investing in safety, quality and productivity, and you can fi nd the cutlery we make in places like restaurants and hospitals. Our employees and our company are committed to serving the community. For example, we work side-by-side during the United Way’s Day of Caring to help clean up and restore local schools and homes in disrepair.
Dixie Consumer Products LLC • 149 Hamilton StreetLeominster, MA 01453 • www.dixie.com
Dixie Consumer Products LLC • 149 Hamilton StreetLeominster, MA 01453 • www.dixie.com
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We’re glad to be part of a great community!
The Chamber and its economic development affiliate the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation (NCMDC) hosted a special manufacturing bus tour on Tuesday, April 26th for education and community leaders as part of their efforts to promote careers in manufacturing and highlight its importance in North Central Massachusetts.
Attendees on the tour, which also included legislators, economic development officials and members of the media, visited several manufacturing companies where they were able to get an insider’s look at how select manufacturers operate as well as learn about the growing employment opportunities in manufacturing and the necessary skill-sets.
The manufacturing bus tour, part of the Chamber’s “Amp It Up!” initiative, included stops at Rocheleau Tool & Die, a family owned and operated business established in 1938 in Fitchburg that specializes in the manufacture of extrusion blow molding machinery, blow molds and related automation equipment; Burkhart-Phelan, Inc., a company founded in 1982 that specializes in the precision manufacturing of high quality flutes and piccolos; Nypro, a world-class leader in manufacturing precision plastic products for customers in the healthcare, packaging and consumer electronics industries; and Mount Wachusett Community College’s Devens Manufacturing Center which offers technical training in a number of different areas, including advanced manufacturing with an emphasis on automation, robotics and quality.
The tour also included a lunch presentation and discussion by Shailah Stewart of the Massachusetts
Continued on Page B
Patrick Lawlor, public affairs manager for the Chamber, is
shown (left) learning about the blow-molding process at Rocheleau
Tool & Die of Fitchburg
page 4 June/July/August
Chamber Foundation announces annual scholarship winnersOn May 13, Chamber members met the region’s most
accomplished high school seniors as they received scholarships from the NCM Chamber Foundation. A total of $48,000 in 24 scholarships was awarded at the Good Morning Breakfast at the Doubletree by Hilton in Leominster. Special thanks go to HealthAlliance for sponsoring the breakfast.
The following students each received a $2,000 scholarship, and are listed by their name, school and the specifi c scholarship: Chloe Alder-Mandile, Nashoba Valley Technical High School, Barbara Silva Scholarship; Silvio Angustia, Monty Tech in Fitchburg, HealthAlliance Hospital Scholarship; Elena Arciprete, Lunenburg High School, Benjamin Asher Scholarship; Hannah Bagley, St. Bernard’s Central Catholic High School, Edward C.J. Healey Scholarship; Lauren Basque, Lunenburg High School, HealthAlliance Hospital Scholarship; Juan Bermudez, Leominster High School, Rollstone Bank & Trust Scholarship; Hannah Burns, Leominster High School, Adams Family Scholarship; Shale Carey, Oakmont Regional High School, Ronald Ansin Scholarship, Patrick Casey, Leominster High School, Enterprise Bank & Trust Scholarship; Kelly Connors, St. Bernard’s Central Catholic High School, M. Ruth Lee Scholarship.
Also awarded $2,000 scholarships were: Jacob DeCarolis, Leominster Center for Technical Education & Innovation, Elizabeth & Anthony DiGeronimo Family Scholarship; David Fitzpatrick, Groton-Dunstable Regional High School, Chamber Foundation Scholarhip; Kate Gobi, Wachusett Regional High School, Workers’ Credit Union Scholarship; Deirdre Kennedy, The Bromfi eld School, Salny Family Scholarship; Jasmine McGillicuddy, Ayer-Shirley Regional High School, Elizabeth & Anthony DiGeronimo Family Scholarship; Elizabeth Moison, Fitchburg High School, George R. Wallace and Alice G. Wallace Scholarship; Lillian Moore-Eissenberg, The Bromfi eld School, Chamber Foundation Scholarhip; Jennifer Mueller, Leominster High School, HealthAlliance Hospital Scholarship; Dylan Nadeau, Leominster High School, M. Ruth Lee Scholarship; Thu Nguyen, Fitchburg High School, Chamber Golf Tournament Scholarship; Stephanie Palis, Nashoba Regional High School, Chamber Golf Tournament Scholarship; Natalie Proctor, Lunenburg High School, David L. McKeehan Scholarship; Taylor Sadowski, Monty Tech, HealthAlliance Hospital Scholarship; Bethany Sefakis, Oakmont Regional High School, Roderick W. & Donna M. Lewin Scholarship.
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This year’s Chamber Foundation Scholarship
winners are shown at the May 13 Good Morning Breakfast. For more information about
the scholarship program, call Lauren Goulet at 978-353-7600.
Photo courtesy of Habakkuk Media Services
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page 5 June/July/August
The Chamber welcomes a new staff member, Jeff Ardis, to fi ll the position of membership services & business development manager. He will be responsible for overseeing the Chamber’s membership services as well as raising the Chamber’s visibility and educating businesses in the region about the Chamber’s service offerings. This includes promoting the benefi ts of membership and ensuring that current members enjoy maximum value for their investment.
“We are excited to have Jeff join our team and help lead our member relations efforts,” said Roy M. Nascimento, President & CEO. “His experience will be a tremendous resource for our members and a great help in our work to advance the North Central Massachusetts economy.”
Ardis brings to the Chamber a broad background in sales, marketing, and business development from his time with the LEGO Company, the government trade agencies of Australia and Northern Ireland, the Connecticut Small Business Development Center (SBDC), and most recently the global logistics fi rm DHL Express. He holds a bachelor’s degree from American University
Buzz + Thrive Gardens recently held a grand opening celebration with family and community members welcoming former horticultural specialist, Patrick Hillman, to the business community. Hillman, cutting the ribbon, is featured with family including fi anceé Allie, Mayor Mazzarella, Chamber staff Maria McCaffrey, Melissa Tasca of the City of Leominster and Chamber Ambassadors Tom Littlepage of Workers’ Credit Union and Brendan Gallagher of Commerce Bank.
and a master’s degree in business administration from Georgia State University.
His early goals will be to continue the success of the October campaign that welcomed more than 100 new members; build relationships with key players in the business community and local government; and fi nd the best ways to help members grow their businesses through the Chamber’s resources. He will also help coordinate the Chamber’s insurance services.
Existing members or businesses interested in learning more about the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce can reach Ardis at (978) 353-7600 ext. 234 or via email at [email protected].
Ardis is new member services & business development manager
Jeff Ardis
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page 6 June/July/August
Twenty-one graduates of Community Leadership Institute to be recognized at June 16th Annual Business Meeting
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The Chamber’s Community Leadership Institute (CLI) is a prestigious program that exposes emerging business and community leaders to a powerful learning environment that helps them develop their personal leadership skills and prepares them to become actively involved in the future of North Central Massachusetts. This year’s graduates will be recognized at the Chamber’s June 16th Annual Meeting.
The 2015-2016 graduating class includes: Evelyn Cabrera, director of residential services, YWCA; Brian Calnan, area administrator, Catholic Charities; Ellenmarie Coughlin, human resources manager, Leominster Credit Union; Katy Cuddahy-Kirouac, head teller, Avidia Bank and Daniela Cunha Raphael, customer service representative, Avidia Bank.
Also graduating are: Jennifer Delisle, assistant branch manager, Workers’ Credit Union; Penny Doolittle, manufacturing career coach, Workforce Investment Board; Lisa Dutton-Swain, resource and development director, New Vue Communities; Scott Farris, director, strategic enrollment management, Mount Wachusett Community College; Heather Finnerty, branch manager, Rollstone Bank & Trust; Kathleen George, admissions coordinator, The Arc
The Community Leadership Class of 2016 is shown at the State House on March 17 where they met with Tillie Ryan, chief of staff for Sen. Jen Flannagan, D-Leominster for a day devoted to “Legislation & Government.” They also met with the secretaries of labor and workforce development, housing & economic development, health & human services and energy & environmental affairs.
of Opportunity; Holly Kreidler-Phaneuf, assistant director, NCEOC, Mount Wachusett Community College; Lisa Moison, director of professional studies, Fitchburg State University; Susan Piper, director of sales & marketing, DoubleTree by Hilton; Nicholas Rocheleau, engineer, Rocheleau Tool & Die; Eric Rodriguez, lead organizer, United Neighbors of Fitchburg; Sandra Sagehorn-Elliot, executive VP/COO, Workers’ Credit Union; Natalie
Silverthorn-Kruger, retail manager, ECi Stores; Kathryn Weldon, home loan specialist, Fidelity Bank; Katy Whitaker, development coordinator, Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School; Kurt Zelch, director, physicians relations, HealthAlliance Hospital.
For information about joining next year’s class contact Maria McCaffrey at (978) 353-7600 ext 235 or [email protected]
----------------Networking your way to success
page 7 June/July/August
The North Central Massachusetts Chamber Foundation is
pleased to announce the addition of a new scholarship named in honor of David L. McKeehan, former president of the NCM Chamber of Commerce. The $2,000 scholarship recognizes McKeehan for his commitment to the advancement of North Central Massachusetts and for his decades of dedicated service to the Chamber.
McKeehan headed the Chamber from 1984 until his retirement in 2015, and was instrumental in crafting the merger of the Fitchburg and Leominster chambers of commerce, along with several smaller business groups, to form the North Central Massachusetts Chamber in 1984.
Over the course of his tenure, he procured over $4.5 million in private sector funding and over $1 million in government grants for economic development programming in the region. He was instrumental in the creation as well as the saving of many jobs within this region during his years at the Chamber. For his service, McKeehan has been honored by the New England Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, Mount Wachusett Community College, Fitchburg State University and many other organizations. Preference for the David L. McKeehan scholarship will be given to a child or grandchild of a current Chamber member or an employee of a current Chamber member.
This year, the North Central Massachusetts Chamber Foundation distributed $48,000 in scholarships (see page 4) to
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Bliss Massage & Wellness Center has expanded their Leominster business with the addition of Bliss Organic Juice Bar--serving up organic juice and smoothies. Shown here at the ribbon cutting ceremony on May 6 are owner Julia Capone, Mayor Dean Mazzarella, Melissa Tasca of the City of Leominster, Ambassadors Tom Littlepage and Brendan Gallagher, and Chamber staffer Jeff Ardis.
local high-achieving high school students and has awarded over a million dollars in scholarships since the establishment of its scholarship program.
Many of these awards are made possible through contributions from members of the Chamber and proceeds from the Chamber’s Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament. Scholarships endowed through the Chamber Foundation are often named in honor of prominent members of the local business community whose philanthropy and commitment have helped shape North Central Mass.
Funds raised by the Foundation are utilized primarily for education/workforce development initiatives and charitable activities in North Central Massachusetts, including scholarships and grants to support economic and community development projects.
For more information on the David L. McKeehan Scholarship or the scholarship program, please call (978) 353-7600 or email [email protected].
New scholarship named for former Chamber President David L. McKeehan
Agency: Davis AdvertisingClient: LCUW.S.# LCU25119File Name LCU25119Program: inddLocation: FinancialQuarter: Q1_15Artist: DF
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Coming Events
Editor:Marie N. Auger
phone: (978) 353-7600fax: (978) 353-4896
www.northcentralmass.com
NorthCentralMass.com (USPS 773-650) is published quarterly by
the North Central Mass. Chamber of Commerce,
860 South Street, Fitchburg, MA, for $5.00 per year which is withheld from
annual membership dues. Periodicals postage paid at
Fitchburg, MA.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to
NorthCentralMass.com, c/o North Central Mass. Chamber of Commerce,
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CHAMBERBOARD
OFFICERS
Douglas PetersenChair
Anthony MercadanteVice ChairmanMark Freeman
TreasurerRoy Nascimento
President
DIRECTORSNeil AbramsonWill AubuchonLillian BurkartWayne Canty
Paul DiGerominoDavid Duval
Kenneth GurgeStephen MullaneyLaura Reynolds
Steve RocheleauEric Shapiro
Deborah WeymouthJohn Witkowski
View all events, register and pay online:northcentralmass.com For more information, contact Maria McCaffrey at (978) 353-7600 ext 235 or [email protected]
Periodicalspostage PAIDFitchburg, MA
01420
Cutting the ribbon earlier this year were
860 South StreetFitchburg, MA 01420
To update your mailing address,
or
advertise in this
newsletter please contact the Chamber office:(978) 353-7600,
ext. 234
June 1 – Women’s Leadership Connection noon to 1:30 pm Chamber Conference RoomJune 2 – Business After Hours 4:30 to 6:30 pm Leominster Credit UnionJune 6 – 30th Annual NCMCC Foundation Golf Tournament 8 am shotgun Sterling National Golf ClubJune 8 – Sales Leads 7:45 am to 9:30 am Chamber Conference RoomJune 9 - Lender’s Forum 8 am to 10 am Chamber Conference RoomJune 15 – Human Resource Council noon to 1:30 pm Chamber Conference RoomJune 16 – Annual Business Meeting & Luncheon 11:30 am to 1:30 pm Great Wolf LodgeJune 21 – Small Business Lunch ‘n Learn 12 pm to 1:30 pm Chamber Conference RoomJune 22 - Sales Leads 7:45 am to 9:30 am Chamber Conference Room
July 13 - Sales Leads 7:45 am to 9:30 am Chamber Conference RoomJuly 27 - Sales Leads 7:45 am to 9:30 am Chamber Conference RoomAugust 10 - Sales Leads 7:45 am to 9:30 am Chamber Conference RoomAugust 24 - Sales Leads 7:45 am to 9:30 am Chamber Conference Room
A Multi-ChamberSpecial Breakfast Honoring Dr. Daniel Asquinowill be Friday, June 24, 2016 at 7:30 - 9: a.m.Mount Wachusett Community College444 Green Street, Gardner
$25 members$40 future membersPresented by: NCM ChamberNashoba Valley Chamber & Greater Gardner ChamberFor Sponsorship Opportunities and reservations call Maria at 978-353-7600 x235 or [email protected]
page A June/July/August
Chamber members and guests had a chance to meet at the J.A. Visitor Center on Route 2, when a ribbon-cutting was held on May 5 to celebrate renovations and upgrades at the busy site, which serves as the region’s gateway for travelers. Shown above are (left) Tony Pagouris from Commit Fitness and Greg Guertin from the Leominster Champion sampling snacks that are produced locally. A number of food products and gift items that are grown or manufactured in our region are for sale in the Visitor Center.
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David R. Rocheford, Jr., local real estate attorney, is shown with his staff, Mayor Dean Mazzarella, Chamber staff and ambassadors at a ribbon cutting and grand opening of his new offi ce. Rocheford recently moved to Hamilton Street, Leominster to increase offi ce space and staff size.
The Johnny Appleseed Visitor Center recently hosted a Business After Hours through the North Central Massachusetts Chamber to highlight to the community the work of the center and to unveil recently completed renovations. The event was attended by local business and community leaders and included a special ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the improvements. It was a great opportunity to let local business and community leaders see the importance of the visitor center as a hub for tourist information for North Central Massachusetts. The renovations included new brochure racks, new shelving and displays, upgraded security systems, a new POS system for the gift shop, and renovations to the bathrooms. The primary goal of the renovations was to better showcase North Central Massachusetts as well as to improve the visitor experience for the hundreds of people who come through the door every day.
The Johnny Appleseed Visitor Center,
Upgrade at Johnny Appleseed Visitor Center is investment in local tourism considered by many the gateway to North Central Massachusetts, opened in 1996 as a way to welcome people traveling through the region and give them a place to stop, stretch their legs, and learn more about the twenty-six communities in North Central Massachusetts and what they have to offer for visitors and families. The visitor center greets people from the local community as well as those traveling down Route 2 to their destination and those who are vacationing locally with us.
“It’s important to us that everyone who walks through the doors feels welcomed,” said Diane Burnette, manager for the J.A. Visitor Center “Whether we are a daily stop for you, or you are coming into the area for the fi rst time, you should have a positive experience here.”
The center features a gift shop that carries many local products including jams, jellies, honey, maple syrup, fudge, chocolates, sparkling cider and that local icon of American kitsch – the plastic fl amingo! Visitors to the center can also fi nd a wide selection of books highlighting the history of the region, plus good-quality logo merchandise and souvenir items.
page B June/July/August
A technician wields a blowtorch at the flute and picolo manufacturing plant of Burkart-Phelan, Inc. in Shirley. The tour group was able to see all stages in the process of making these specialized, high-end instruments.
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Department of Elementary and Secondary Education on ways that schools and communities can collaborate with employers.
North Central Massachusetts boasts the largest
concentration of manufacturing in the state. Fully one-third of all private wages paid in the region are from manufacturing jobs. Companies range from the world class plastics industry cluster of more than 140 companies to pharmaceuticals to photonics and paper, as well as biomedical devices.
Manufacturers today are some of the most well-paid, highly trained and in demand employees in the workforce, working on advanced equipment and technology. However,
‘Amp It Up’ tour ....continued from Page 3many manufacturers have been challenged recruiting the workers they need. The Chamber and the Development Corporation remain committed to supporting and growing this critical sector of the region’s economy. The
organizations are working with partners to address this skills gap, retain the region’s young talent, and introduce them to the high-tech, high-skilled, and high-paying careers of the modern manufacturing industry. The Chamber believes that building successful education partnerships between businesses and the region’s schools is critical to collective, on-going efforts.
The Chamber wishes to thank and acknowledge the support and assistance of the following partners who helped make the event possible: MassDevelopment; North Central Massachusetts Workforce Investment Board; Rocheleau Tool & Die; Burkart-Phelan, Inc.; Nypro, A Jabil Company; Mount Wachusett Community College; Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and Fitchburg
Access Television (FATV).
Chamber unveils social media campaign to promote manufacturing careers
The Chamber and the NCMDC have also launched a targeted social media campaign to promote careers in manufacturing to young people and their parents--targeting a potential future workforce.
The awareness campaign, part of the Chamber’s “Amp It Up!” initiative, highlights the exciting, technology-driven, well-paying career options in manufacturing, dispels common myths about the industry, and bolsters the prospective employee base for these quality jobs with local companies. The campaign includes short videos, infographics and news reports highlighting manufacturing careers and posted on popular social media channels including Facebook, YouTube and twitter. The campaign has been running since late February and will run through the beginning of June.
The purpose of the “AMP it up!” initiative is to leverage new and existing resources to continue ongoing efforts to reach career counselors, community organizations, youth-serving organizations, educators, and most importantly students throughout North Central Massachusetts.
The Chamber’s “Amp It Up!” initiative is funded in part through a matching grant from MassDevelopment. Other partners include Fitchburg State University, Mt. Wachusett Community College and school systems throughout the region. For more information, please contact the Chamber at (978) 353-7600.