North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation approves financing for Rise & Grind Café and Smoothie Bar

/in /by

Funding supports purchase of new equipment, working capital

The North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation (NCMDC), the economic development arm of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, recently granted a $32,000 loan to Rise & Grind Café and Smoothie Bar. A matching loan of $32,500 was provided by the City of Fitchburg, with NewVue Communities providing guidance on business projections.

Funding will support the purchase of equipment, leasehold improvements and supplies at the business’ second location at 805 Main Street, Fitchburg, Mass. The loans enabled the business to create four new jobs.

Managers Mark P. McCaffrey and Alexander C. Schinas opened Rise and Grind Café and Smoothie Bar in 2021 located at 507 R Lancaster Street, Leominster, Mass. Upon the success of their first location, the duo decided to open a second location in downtown Fitchburg earlier this year.

“We are grateful to the community for supporting our business over the years and enjoying our smoothies at Empire Athletics,” said McCaffery. “With the support our community, the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation, NewVue Communities and the City of Fitchburg, we were able to expand our offerings of delicious smoothies, coffee, and a variety of café foods and desserts to a second location in the heart of downtown Fitchburg.”

For more information about Rise and Grind Café and Smoothie Bar, visit www.riseandgrindcafema.com

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 MA Emergency Relief Loan program

North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation announces North Central Emergency Relief Loan program

/in /by

Program offers businesses quick closing loans of up to $10,000 for remediation, losses caused by the September 11 flash floods

Following Monday’s unprecedented flooding in Leominster and surrounding communities, the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation (NCMDC), the economic development arm of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, today announced the North Central Emergency Relief Loan program.

The program provides up to $10,000 with a 1% interest rate and all fees waived for eligible businesses and offers an expedited approval process with a quick closing. Loans are available up to six months interest only or deferred payments, then up to a 36-month repayment term with no pre-payment penalty. Businesses meeting the loan program criteria can expect to receive funding within two weeks of a completed application.

“We expect some small businesses will need access to immediate funds as they work on remediation efforts or experience closures for an extended period of time while they recover from the historic floods our region faced on September 11,” said Roy Nascimento, president and CEO of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber and North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation. “With the support of our board of directors and the hard work of our staff, we wanted to provide an option for our affected businesses to ensure they are back up and running as quickly as possible.”

Businesses eligible for the North Central Emergency Relief Loan program must be in operations at the time of the disaster, with funding utilized for losses caused by the flooding in North Central Massachusetts and for flood remediation expenses. Businesses meeting the loan program criteria can expect to receive funding in as quickly as one week of a completed application.

“Should businesses incur expenses above and beyond this loan, we can work with them using our traditional loan programs and full underwriting practices,” added Nascimento.

Assistance in recovery efforts is also available through the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, which reactivated its dedicated email helpline at [email protected] for businesses to contact with requests for immediate assistance. Additionally, an online resources page has been developed at www.northcentralmass.com/flood-resources providing the latest guidance and resources from local, state and federal authorities when it becomes available.

The Chamber is committed to keeping its members and the public informed and will be posting on the website as well as its various social media platforms as new information becomes available. Businesses and the public can follow the Chamber on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram.

For additional information or questions about the North Central Emergency Relief Loan program, please contact 978.353.7607 or visit www.choosenorthcentral.com.

Apply Now
Scarlet Spa & Wellness

North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation approves financing to Scarlet Spa and Wellness Center

/in /by

Funding supports business growth of Grafton spa

The North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation (NCMDC), the economic development arm of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, recently approved a $32,000 loan to Scarlet Spa and Wellness Center, located at 12 Grafton Commons in Grafton.

The loan funds helped with the purchase of new spa equipment and supplies for the expansion of the personal wellness business at its new location.

Owner Jennifer Lachapelle is a licensed esthetician who opened Scarlet Spa and Wellness Center in 2014. The center offers many opportunities for relaxation, such as massage therapy, Reiki, aromatherapy, waxing, salt therapy, and eyelash and skincare treatments.

“As a proud spa owner, I am happy to offer my customers quality services,” Lachapelle said. “With the support of the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation, my business has a new place to call home and will offer me opportunities for continued growth.”. Jennifer was referred to the NCMDC from bankHometown. She also received assistance with her business plan from the Small Business Development Center at Clark University. For more information visit https://scarletspa.org.

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.

Renew You Med Spa

North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation approves financing to Renew You MedSpa

/in /by

Funding to support expansion of specialty medical spa in Hudson

The North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation (NCMDC), the economic development arm of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, recently approved a $75,000 loan to Renew You MedSpa, located at The Landing at Hudson Mills, 43 Broad Street in Hudson.

Funding will enable Renew You MedSpa to design its new location and build initial inventory as well as hire one part-time employee. Founded in March 2021, the aesthetic injectables practice previously delivered services to clients’ homes before moving to its new location at The Landing. Renew You MedSpa specializes in aesthetic injectables such as Botox, derma fillers, PRP/PRF, Vitamin Therapy micro needling, and IV infusions.

Anh To Keuttner and Elizabeth LaPointe are certified aestheticians who founded Renew You MedSpa. Together, the medical spa duo has more than 30 years of medical experience.  “As trained aestheticians, we are both excited at the prospect of growing our business and serving even more clients with our unique and high-quality treatments,” said Keuttner. Added LaPointe, “With the support of the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation, we are able to finish our new location, expand our business hours, and grow our team.”   Anh and Elizabeth worked with NewVue Communities to develop their business plan. Visit https://renewyoumedspama.com/ for more information.

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.

Soto Hydraulic Repair

North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation approves financing to Soto Hydraulic Repair

/in /by

Funding purchases equipment for new repair start-up

The North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation (NCMDC), the economic development arm of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, recently approved a $35,000 loan to Soto Hydraulic Repair LLC, located in Winchendon.

Funding will provide equipment for the growing hydraulic repair start-up which specializes in repairing systems for industries such as agricultural, industrial, transportation and manufacturing.

Owner Pedro Soto-Cruz has more than 20 years of experience repairing hydraulic systems. He is certified in visual weld inspections and Arc welding, and has experience in fabricating parts used in hydraulic systems.  Pedro worked with NewVue Communities Small Business Assistance Program to create his business plan.

“After two decades in hydraulic repair, I am excited to create a business of my own,” said Soto-Cruz. “With support from the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation, I now have the equipment I need to get my company off the ground.”   Contact Soto Hydraulic at 978.870.9994.

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.

 

NCMDC Provides Financing to Devine Touch

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

/in /by

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

/in /by

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.

Adams Farm and Slaughterhouse

North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation approves financing to Adams Farm and Slaughterhouse

/in /by

The North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation (NCMDC), the economic development arm of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, recently approved a loan of $150,000 to Adams Farm and Slaughterhouse to assist toward the purchase of equipment and working capital.

Adams Farm and Slaughterhouse, a third-generation meat processor and retail store located at 854 Bearsden Road, Athol, employs 32 full-time and 11 part-time employees. The farm, which began as a dairy farm in 1919 by Hester Adams, was taken over in 1946 by Lewis Adams, who changed the operations from dairy farm to slaughterhouse. Today, the company is owned and operated by Lewis Adams’ wife, Beverly Mundell, her son Richard Adams, and her daughter, Noreen Heath-Paniagua.

“As a third-generation local business, we take great pride in providing our customers with a variety of fresh meats, dairy products and ice cream they’ve come to trust over the years,” said Mundell. “We appreciate the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation for their support of our efforts to enhance our business for more generations to come.”

Adams Farm and Slaughterhouse offers customers beef, pork, chicken, smoked meats, lamb, goat and veal at their retail store, as well as homemade deli products, produce, bread, milk, cheese and ice cream. For more information visit, https://adamsfarm.biz/

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 to MK Dance Center

/in /by

Funding to support expansion of dance studio in Leominster

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 MK Dance Center, Inc., located at Gateway Center, 435 Lancaster Street in Leominster.

The loan will be utilized to finance the build out and renovation costs at the dance studio’s new location to offer classes for dancers aged two through adult. The center employs two full-time employees and six part-time dance instructors.

Owners Kelly (Charpentier) Pelkey and Moriah Kelly-Hildreth opened MK Dance Center in 2013 and recently relocated to Gateway Center. The dance center offers Ballet, Tap, Jazz Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Break Dancing and more.

Pelkey and Kelly-Hildreth are childhood friends who met while dancing at a local studio. Pelkey studied ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop and contemporary, and has received national recognition as a soloist and group member. She began assisting with classes as a teenager and went on to lead ballet, top and jazz classes. Pelkey attended Fitchburg State University and graduated with a degree in Human Services. Prior to owning MK Dance Center, she worked as a Licensed Social Worker.  Kelly-Hildreth has been teaching dance for 20 years, focusing on ballet, tap and jazz. After leading the Dance Department at Riverside Theatre Works in Hyde Park, she choreographed for vocal groups and children’s theater, and taught musical theater classes during summers at The Boston Ballet School. A graduate of the Dance Teachers Club of Boston’s Teachers Training School, she completed four years of Dance Masters of America’s Teachers Training School and is currently an Associate of the program.

“We have both loved to dance from an early age, and this funding affords us the opportunity to bring our passion of dance to more youth and the young at heart in our community,” said Pelkey. Added Kelly-Hildreth, “With the support of the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation, we can build out our new space and create the dance studio of our dreams.”

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 Salt and Light Café

/in /by

Funding to purchase real estate for business operations in Groton

The North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation (NCMDC), the economic development arm of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, recently approved a $206,000 loan to Salt and Light Café to provide funding toward the purchase of property at 159 Main Street in Groton, where the business operates. This loan was in partnership with Main Street Bank and ensures employment of 3 full-time and 3 part-time jobs in the community.

The cafe was opened in 2015 by owners Josiah and Linda Coleman, who also operate Coleman Catering. Josiah serves as Executive Chef, and Linda oversees the operations for both the catering company and the café.

Located in downtown Groton, the café uses only fresh ingredients and provides a relaxing environment for guests to relax and linger while enjoying bold, eclectic dishes that fuels and inspires those served. “When we opened Salt and Light, we wanted to create an environment where customers feel welcomed as our friends,” said Josiah Coleman. “Through the support of the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation, in partnership with Main Street Bank, we can cement our roots in downtown Groton as a place to enjoy savory cuisine with family and friends.”

In addition to providing food, the café also boasts a small retail boutique area with items for sale from local makers, artists, farms and businesses.

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.