Mission: Acting through the Chamber’s affiliate NCM Development Corp, in cooperation with local, state and national officials, to market the North Central Massachusetts Region as a distinct and unique business environment and implement programs to maintain and expand the number of private sector jobs in the region. Market the North Central Massachusetts region by representing the North Central Massachusetts Economic Development Council in trade shows, advertisements, familiarization tours, direct mailings and special events.
Strengthen entrepreneurial economic development services by collaborating with Small Business Development Centers (SBDC), Senior Corp of Retired Executives (SCORE), Mount Wachusett Community College, Fitchburg State College, and other regional Community Development Corporations (CDC) and entities to conduct an outreach and education initiative.
Work to expand lending capacity by researching the current private lending environment, the local business investment trends, and assessing the Development Corporation’s ability as a Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) to partner with conventional lenders to support economic growth.
Investigate the possibility of getting commitments for matching funds, assess any internal technical deficiencies, and explore the option of applying for U.S. Treasury programs for technical and financial assistance grants to establish a new loan pool to optimize economic growth opportunities and support self-sufficiency.
Continue the massPLASTICS Medical Device Connection initiative to establish strategic partnerships to help plastics companies interested in expanding into medical device/medical supply manufacturing. Actions will include exhibiting collective manufacturing capabilities at selected trade shows, advertising in trade publications, and sponsoring seminars and events.
Continue partnership with MassMEDIC and the MDG Boston Forum to increase awareness of our local manufacturing cluster in the medical device community.
Periodically hold meetings of economic development and planning professionals to share leads, information on utilization of programs, combine efforts on legislative issues, and offer mutual advice and support for specific projects and initiatives.
Facilitate meetings for representatives of the region’s plastics manufacturing cluster to address issues of mutual concern and identify opportunities, including the development of Disaster Recovery Plans and a review of legislation regarding financing and incentive programs.
Publish an updated Manufacturers Directory and Industrial Parks Guide including updated economic statistics including industry trends and average wages.
Periodically hold meetings for the local commercial and industrial property real estate brokers and developers to share leads, identify trends, address obstacles and act on opportunities pertaining to real estate investment in the region.
Publish an updated Plastics Cluster Profile after completing a capabilities survey to better describe and market the region’s unique cluster and to better respond to requests for referrals to qualified manufacturers.
Continue the “Manufacturing Matters” Seminar Series to address multi-industry concerns and to provide an educational forum specifically for manufacturers.
Explore options, including a purchasing collaborative, to reduce energy rates for all industrial and commercial ratepayers. Explore amending energy de-regulation legislation to make local businesses less susceptible to market fluctuations in cost, demand, and supply.
Actively support the continued development and expansion of vocational and technical schools, area colleges, and private educational organizations to meet the workforce training and future workforce needs of the region’s employers
Help local companies, through the State’s workforce training program, apply for and obtain funds to improve and expand their new and incumbent worker training programs that assist their employees and increase productivity.
Support the ongoing meetings and the expansion of the Manufacturing CEO Roundtable.
Compile and report cost of living statistics quarterly for a national Cost Of Living Index (COLI) in cooperation with the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER).
Expand the Manufacturing Job Fairs at local high schools instituted in 2007 and establish a regular schedule of Manufacturing Plant Tours and Open Houses to familiarize local students and educators with current manufacturing environments and requirements.
Increase lending in existing products by expanding the marketing program through advertising, sponsorships, events, and a series of print mail pieces.
Expand export assistance economic development services by working in collaboration with the Mass Export Center and the US Export Center to aid local companies in accessing international trade opportunities; targeting assistance to interested companies and hosting international trade seminars, as needed.
Facilitate expansion of real estate/site finder economic development services in collaboration with Expand opportunities for minority and woman-owned businesses by offering economic development services including outreach and education on procurement, certification, lending, and business planning.
Expand our database of available land and buildings in the region in cooperation with the Massachusetts Alliance for Economic Development (MAED).
Actively encourage detailed permitting timelines for development and the adoption of “expedited permitting” procedures by communities in the region.
Undertake an assessment of regional infrastructure including land, buildings, water, sewer, telecommunications, transportation, and related zoning to define and market the region’s capacity for new investment and growth.
Mission: To aggressively support issues and programs to improve the business climate and oppose legislation that negatively impacts business in North Central Massachusetts, becoming sufficiently involved in the political process to really make the voice of the business community heard.
Research and develop a "Legislative Watch List" and work to influence legislative and regulatory actions to reflect this Chamber’s policies.
Write, file and advocate for the passage of legislation and amendments to expand economic opportunity in the region and lower the cost of doing business in Massachusetts.
Provide ombudsman services to local businesses on issues related to federal, state and local regulatory compliance as well as in response to new laws, rules and regulations that may be implemented during the year.
Continue to work with our local public college presidents and our region’s legislative delegation to garner business awareness, support, and increased state funding for our public institutions of higher education.
Hold a reception for our local elected officials to meet and discuss issues with local business people.
Maintain regular dialogue with the region’s legislative delegation and state agency officials in compliance with state lobbying regulations with the assistance of an online legislative tracking system.
Publish six “Legislative Bulletins” to send to appropriate members.
Continue to advocate and support efforts to establish and/or maintain a single property tax rate in all member communities.
From time to time, research and compile economic impact statements to assist elected officials in their efforts to seek state and local support for key economic development projects.
Continue to engage and expand volunteer committees, such as Government Affairs and Transportation, to increase our activities and involvement with local and state projects and initiatives.
Meet monthly with the Mayors of Leominster and Fitchburg to address matters pertaining to each city.
Plan a Washington fly-in to meet with US Senators Edward Kennedy and John Kerry, and Congressman John Olver to encourage federal support for local projects related to economic development.
Participate in U.S. Chamber and other national business organization efforts to respond to issues affecting the business community – such as Association Health Plans – in a manner that will positively affect the region’s economic climate.
Plan a Chamber sponsored “Day at Beacon Hill” for business leaders.
Organize and coordinate the Massachusetts Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives monthly Council meetings. Thereby engaging the Massachusetts Chamber community in issues of importance to all of our business members and giving a statewide voice for business concerns.
In compliance with approved Chamber policies, advocate for our members at local city council and select board meetings.
Mission: To set private sector objectives for area rail, air and highway transportation development and work with local, regional, state and federal governments and planning agencies toward their implementation.
Advocate to state officials in support of legislative initiatives to improve commuter rail service between North Central Massachusetts and Boston to reduce the commuting time to one-hour, from Fitchburg to Porter Square.
Continue the advocacy effort to push for implementation of the recommended improvements to Route 13.
Recognize Route 2 as the region's most vital artery and press for its completion as a limited-access road from I-95 west to I-91.
Work with MassHighway and the contractor to assure the timely completion of the construction on Route 12 to mitigate, as much as possible, any adverse impact on affected businesses and the traveling public.
Continue to advocate for the construction of a Fitchburg connector to Route 2.
Renew efforts to cause the construction and operation of a park & ride station at the junction of Routes 2 and 495.
Monitor and encourage the Montachusett Regional Planning Commission to use its limited Transportation Improvement Project funding to improve key local road and intersection projects through Chamber representation on the Montachusett Joint Transportation Committee and regular attendance at Metropolitan Planning Organization meetings.
Establish an Airport Committee to assist the in the expansion of the capacity and economic value of the Fitchburg Municipal Airport.
Advocate for continued improvement of the services and rail system operated by Guilford Rail and CSX, particularly efforts to upgrade rail freight infrastructure to improve transit time reliability for local users.
Mission: To keep Chamber members informed of the Chamber's programs, policies and events; to foster community awareness of the Chamber and its objectives; and to support other departments within the Chamber by providing technical expertise for publications.
Launch a major redesign and improvement to the Chamber’s online voice < northcentralmass.com > for information regarding Chamber programs, policy statements, and activities.
Examine marketing and communication efforts and improve efficiencies related to mailings and promotional materials, website information, email, faxes, etc., to generate increased member participation in a variety of Chamber programs, such as: Business After Hours, Good Morning Breakfast, HRC, Executive Women’s Network, the annual meeting, and others.
Continue to communicate regularly with state and local media representatives to increase and expand coverage of Chamber activities and initiatives including, but not limited to; generating news releases, inviting media representatives to Chamber events, establishing partnerships with local media to promote unique programs, meeting with local editorial boards, and writing opinion editorials.
Update, improve, produce and distribute, to all members, six issues of the northcentralmass.com newsletter.
Redevelop and enhance the weekly emailing to members of the “Action Brief” with the Chamber’s news to increase their understanding of the value of Chamber membership and of our program efforts to advance and expand economic opportunity in the region. Increase positive statistics for email open rate and click through rate. Continuously evaluate email list and sort out bounces and opt outs.
Publish and distribute a 2008 Business Directory for January distribution, in addition to an addendum for new members joining the Chamber during the first six months of the new calendar year.
Mission: To join with federal, state and local agencies and private sector organizations to develop tourism as an Industry in North Central Massachusetts.
Provide supervisory, management, and staffing assistance to the Johnny Appleseed Trail Association (JATA), to operate and maintain the Johnny Appleseed Trail Visitor Center in a fiscally prudent manner, and to promote tourism related destinations within North Central Massachusetts.
Conduct a comprehensive brand analysis for area tourism and implement creative campaign with the purpose of communicating that identity.
Expand marketing initiatives, including a major overhaul of the functional aspects of the JATA website, targeting group tours, cooperative advertising, and planned message distribution.
Explore establishing an autumn Color Tour Train on selected weekends in the fall, using the commuter rail.
Assist with efforts to raise the funds necessary to effectively operate the Johnny Appleseed Visitor Center, including, but not limited to; association membership sales, corporate sponsorships, applicable state grants and the use of local hotel / motel tax revenues.
Maintain and improve www.appleseed.org in order to market the region as a destination to prospective visitors from around the world.
Modernize, improve, publish and print the Guide to the Johnny Appleseed Trail twice a year and distribute it to interested travelers, visitors, tourists and residents through the Visitor Center and other tourism related information areas and businesses. Mission: To provide direct benefits for members through programs and events that strengthen the Chamber both organizationally and financially.
Conduct nine meetings for the Executive Women's Network (EWN) by developing speaker / networking programs related to women business owners and executives, including informal summer and winter networking luncheons hosted by a chamber member. Produce the 6th annual full-day business tabletop trade show, which will include three seminars. Publish an Executive Women’s Registry to make available at EWN meetings, as well as to new members and online. Redesign the EWN Registry, creating more opportunities for members to place ads as well as category listings.
Ambassador’s Committee will contact all new and existing members by personal visit or phone, actively reach out to members at chamber events to ascertain their current and future needs of the Chamber and will form a sub-committee to assist the chamber in reaching out to prospective new members.
Promote the massPLASTICS 2008 Trade Show, to be held at the Royal Plaza Trade Center in March of 2008, through various means, such as: www.massplastics.com, email and telephone communication, direct mail, and advertising in select industry publications. Continue to sell booth space, reaching a minimum of 274 booths; advertising space for the Show Directory, and sponsorship opportunities.
Organize five Good Morning Breakfast programs for members to network, hear from well-known speakers, and have an opportunity to be educated and entertained. Continue to increase number of attendees and increase season ticket sales by 15%.
Plan and produce four Power Lunch programs to help our members keep up to date with important political, economic and other issues relevant to the business community. Continue to increase number of attendees and increase season ticket sales by 10%.
Develop speaker programs on labor and employment issues for nine Human Resource Council (HRC) meetings. Provide training programs on personnel management topics and other areas as identified by the HRC Committee. Continue to increase number of attendees and increase season ticket sales by 10%.
Plan and implement an Annual Board Meeting in June to recognize volunteer committee members and chairmen, the Leadership Council and the Chamber’s Board of Directors. The Annual Business Meeting brings the program year to a close.
Achieve a net increase in Chamber membership of 150 and attain a 90% renewal rate by increasing face-to-face and telemarketing outreach to prospects and increasing the use of strategic retention strategies.
Continue to grow the Chamber’s sales-leads group -- a no-cost forum for members to network -- which meets twice a month during the program season and once a month during the summer.
Plan and implement the Annual Golf Tournament for members, benefiting the Chamber's Scholarship Fund.
Hold four to five after-work networking events (one will be the holiday social in December), hosted by Chamber members, as opportunities for members to connect their business needs.
Obtain a state health insurance producer’s license for staff to take full advantage of future opportunities created by the new health insurance mandate.
Hold Chamber organized insurance seminars to better educate members regarding the state’s healthcare mandate.
Plan and implement the Annual Super Raffle fundraising event for members, benefiting Chamber operations. The super raffle will be held at a spring Business After Hours.
Continue to develop Affinity Partnership opportunities, and to form marketing alliances, in order to create and promote new membership benefits of interest and value to local Chamber members. |
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