NCMDC Provides Financing to Devine Touch

North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation approves financing to DivineTouch Home Health Care

Funding expands certified home health services in Worcester County

The North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation (NCMDC), the economic development arm of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, recently approved a $100,000 loan to DivineTouch Home Healthcare, located at 95 Vernon Street, Suite 301 in Worcester.

Funding will support the business in becoming a certified homecare agency, making DivineTouch one of just a few home health agencies with such certification in Worcester County. As the business grows, the organization anticipates adding 19 salaried positions and 46 wage staff to the local economy over the next few years.

Founded by Grace Sterling, an immigrant from Jamaica with more than 12 years of hands-on health care experience, DivineTouch offers a number of programs and services, including skilled nursing, disease process teaching, medication administration, Alzheimer’s and dementia care, behavioral health management, and physical, occupational and speech therapy, as well as medical social worker, home health aide, and pastoral care.

“Taking care of others is my passion,” said Sterling. “As an expert in the home healthcare sector, I saw gaps in the system and realized there was a need for more home-based patient services in Worcester County. With the support provided by North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation, I will be able to build my business and help those in my community.”

As a microloan lender, NCMDC can provide loans to small businesses up to $250,000 for working capital, real estate, equipment, inventory, expansion and working with our banking partners to provide gap financing for the final piece of a project.

For more information about the NCMDC loan programs, please call 978.353.7607 or visit NorthCentralMass.com or ChooseNorthCentral.com.

North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation approves financing for Beauty Empire

Funding to support startup costs to open beauty salon in Leominster

North Central Mass.—The North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation (NCMDC), the economic development arm of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, recently granted a $13,000 loan to support the opening of Beauty Empire, a beauty salon located at 71 Main Street in Leominster. Funding will be used toward the purchase of equipment, lease hold improvements, inventory and working capital.

Owned by Nadia Ruiz, Beauty Empire will provide four hair stations, which are available for rent by hair stylists, and two nail stations. The location is the former Hair Obsession salon, and Ruiz hopes current Hair Obsession clients will continue to come to the location for their hair and nail services.

“I immigrated to the United States from Uruguay in 2014 and became a U.S. citizen in September 2022,” said Ruiz. “As I have grown my clientele while working at Divinity Hair Spa, I saw an opportunity to open my own salon and I am grateful to the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation and NewVue Communities for helping me open the doors.”

NewVue Communities provided assistance to Ruiz in developing a business plan.

Ruiz will be leading the business and providing nail services. Ruiz holds certificates in both Advanced Cosmetology and Nail Technician and is a licensed professional as a Registered Cosmetologist in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

As a microloan lender, NCMDC can provide loans to small businesses up to $250,000 for working capital, real estate, equipment, inventory, expansion and working with our banking partners to provide gap financing for the final piece of a project.

For more information about the NCMDC loan programs, please call 978.353.7607 or visit NorthCentralMass.com or ChooseNorthCentral.com.