Roy Nascimento, President & CEO, North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce

In an interview with Invest:. North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Roy Nascimento discussed major milestones, including winning the prestigious Chamber of the Year award. These accomplishments stem from the chamber’s strategic and economic development plans, which have guided substantial initiatives, such as the Regional Business Investment Fund and extensive microloan programs benefiting underrepresented entrepreneurs. 

What have been the biggest milestones for North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce during this past year?

It was a great honor this past year to be named by our peers as Chamber of the Year by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives. We have a deep and caring Chamber team, membership, and stakeholders who are highly collaborative and steadfastly committed to supporting our local businesses and communities in North Central Massachusetts. They all deserve to share in this great honor.

 I am also extremely proud that the North Central Massachusetts Chamber achieved a five-star accreditation this past year, the highest level in the industry. Our strategic plan and regional economic development plan, One North Central, inform our short- and long-term goals, ensuring alignment with our affiliate organizations and guiding our future actions.

Through these efforts, we provided strong advocacy on a range of issues important to our businesses and communities. We convened and facilitated numerous programs/forums for the benefit of our members and region, delivered more than 2,700 hours of direct technical assistance; provided nearly $1.4 million dollars in micro-loans, and granted over $100,000 in micro-grants to small businesses. Notably, 88% of our loans and grants were provided to historically underserved communities of minority, women or low-income owned businesses. We also launched significant initiatives like the Regional Business Investment Fund and the North Central Massachusetts Land Bank to support economic development and real estate goals.

We also provided great leadership around talent and workforce in the region through our Talent Compact, a collective impact partnership that helps facilitate collaboration between businesses, educational leaders, and other stakeholders to devise solutions to workforce challenges. Through this, we have launched several new programs, including a major career and networking event, as well as a regional jobs board to better connect job seekers with opportunities. 

Our commitment to the North Central Massachusetts economy also extends to education, with the awarding of over $50,000 in scholarships to high-school seniors and $14,000 in nontraditional scholarships for those entering the workforce or trades. Additionally, our tourism efforts through Visit Nest Central Massachusetts have generated a 54% increase in visitors and a 39% increase in visitor spending. 

Our mission to advance the 27 communities in North Central Massachusetts continues to guide our robust focus on economic and community development.

Can you discuss the most significant developments in economic growth within your region and their impact on local businesses?

North Central Massachusetts has seen notable growth in key sectors. Manufacturing remains a strong economic driver, boasting twice the concentration found in other parts of the country. This sector, which includes burgeoning areas like biotech and traditional manufacturing, offers above-average wages and considerable career opportunities. The growth of new manufacturers, particularly in Devens, highlights this strength.

Tourism is another vibrant sector, supported by our natural beauty and attractions, such as the Groton Hill Music Center, Wachusett Mountain, and Great Wolf Lodge to name just a few. These attractions enhance the quality of life in North Central Massachusetts and are a tremendous boost to the local economy by creating jobs and attracting visitors who spend their money locally. Lastly, healthcare, while not expanding as rapidly, continues to be a crucial part of our economic framework. Collectively, these industries contribute to a robust economic landscape and outlook for our region.

What challenges are businesses in the region facing?

A major challenge for local businesses is the shortage of qualified, skilled workers — a trend that is affecting businesses within many industries nationwide. To address this, we’ve prioritized this critical issue by appointing a talent and workforce manager to intensify our focus on helping businesses find the right candidates. In unison, Our Talent Compact will be instrumental in helping support our business and education leaders with sensible solutions to these challenges.

We are also advocating for educational reforms and have commissioned studies to explore innovative solutions, including engaging underutilized groups, such as individuals with disabilities, those reentering society from the criminal justice system, and immigrants. This comprehensive approach aims to sustain and grow the regional economy by developing a skilled and diverse workforce.

What is the importance of the Chamber’s Community Leadership Institute?

The Chamber Leadership Institute (CLI) is our leadership development program, targeting both upcoming and established leaders who may be new to the region. The program was inspired by a former board chair who noticed a recurring pattern whereby the same individuals were being chosen to lead community boards. CLI aims to cultivate the next generation of business and community leaders and involves a 10-month program where participants engage in forums, discussions, and tours to deepen their understanding of North Central Massachusetts. One notable outcome of this effort has been the development of lasting initiatives created by the participants, including the establishment of our nontraditional scholarship program and a nonprofit foundation focused on aiding youth.

How is the chamber encouraging sustainable business practices among its members?

One of our biggest challenges in this large manufacturing center is the cost of energy. One way the Chamber has tried to help is by creating solar energy credit programs for local manufacturers to help mitigate this expense. Manufacturers are typically energy-intensive businesses, so this support helps them reduce costs and promotes sustainability. We have also established a manufacturing council to educate and unite manufacturers on resources and important topics like sustainability.

What are the top priorities for the Chamber over the next two to three years?

Our primary focus is to implement our regional economic development strategy One North Central. This ambitious plan was crafted through extensive research and collaboration with local businesses and communities. Through the successful execution of this plan, we hope to create a blueprint for continued economic growth and prosperity for the businesses and citizens of North Central Massachusetts for many years to come.