Starting or Expanding: A Small Business 101 Seminar Set for February

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The North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation and Fidelity Bank are holding two free business workshops on Tuesday, February 19, 2019 aimed at assisting potential and existing entrepreneurs.

These free workshops are approximately two and a half hours each and are being held in partnership with the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, Greater Gardner Chamber of Commerce, North Quabbin Chamber of Commerce, Massachusetts Small Business Development Center, The Wachusett Business Incubator, SCORE and NewVue Communities.  Both workshops will be held at the Wachusett Business Incubator, 35 Sanborn St, Gardner.   

Session I: Fundamentals in Planning, Preparing, and Financing Your Business will run from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and will focus on evaluating and understanding the fundamentals of owning one’s own business.  Information on how to get started, where and how to get financing and the loan application process will be presented.  Registration begins at 8:00. Continental breakfast will be provided for all participants.  Presented by Michelle Miller, Center for Women & Enterprise 

Session II: Understanding the Purpose of Financial Statements and How They Can Help Determine the Health of Your Business will run from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and will focus on understanding a balance sheet, income statement and cash flow statement.  The workshop will also explain how a small business owner can anticipate financial needs in order to operate his/her business more efficiently.  Registration begins at 11:30. Lunch will be provided for all participants. Presented by Michelle Miller, Center for Women & Enterprise

The workshops are free, but pre-registration is required.  To register, please contact Sandie Cataldo at 978.353.7607 ext. 232 or email [email protected].  You may also register online at www.northcentralmass.com/calendar-of-events.   

North Central Mass Development Corp Provides Financing to Creative Connections in Ashburnham

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The North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation (NCMDC) recently approved a $25,000 loan to Mark and Angela Setevdemio, owners of Creative Connections located at 56 Main Street in Ashburnham.  

Mark and Angela have recently purchased the building that houses their shop and are making renovations to the over 150 year old building.  After acquiring Creative Connections in 2016 the Setevdemio’s have turned the space into a one stop shop featuring artisan quality gifts and original artwork.  Creative Connections is also a gallery to a rotating selection of artists, both local and from around the globe.  In February, they will be featuring works by Alexei Naumovich whose watercolor works have been exhibited dozens of times across the US, Russia and Europe.  Creative Connections is open Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.  This loan assisted Mark and Angela with renovations to their building including some repairs to the slate roof originally installed in 1865.  This micro loan retained two jobs and was done in conjunction with Athol Savings Bank as part of a gap financing partnership.  For more information on Creative Connections visit them on Facebook, artweek.com, or online at ccgiftgallery.com.

As a microloan lender, NCMDC can provide loans to small businesses up to $150,000 for working capital, equipment, inventory, expansion and working with our banking partners to provide gap financing for the final piece of a project.