Editorial: The strong business community of North Central Mass.
The Central Massachusetts economy is full of dynamic industries led by hard-working, innovative leaders who understand the importance of both business and community. With more than $52 billion in total economic activity, the region’s more than 80 communities are interlaced with each other, making a significant contribution to the state’s economy.
Yet, each of Central Massachusetts’ subregions has its own assets and personality, giving them unique identities. In North Central Massachusetts, that identity is shaped around its strong sense of community. The region spans the Route 2 corridor, as far west as the Franklin County border; includes the twin cities of Leominster and Fitchburg; more remote communities like Hubbardston, Winchendon, and Orange; and Worcester County’s oldest town: Lancaster. Anchored by the more traditional manufacturing sectors, North Central is home to large independent farms, a number of top tourist attractions, and the booming innovation hub of Devens, where nuclear fusion reactors and cutting edge pharmaceuticals are being produced.
Commonwealth Fusion Systems might be one of the most innovative companies in the world. The billion-dollar firm is seeking to build the first commercially viable nuclear fusion reactor, capable of generating an enormous amount of electricity with minimal impacts on the environment. While CFS is a much newer company, more traditional manufacturers like Sterlite in Townsend have been producing everyday goods like storage containers for nearly a century. On the more fun side, North Central Massachusetts has destinations like Wachusett Mountain Ski Area in Princeton, Davis Farmland in Sterling, Great Wolf Lodge in Fitchburg, and Red Apple Farm in Phillipton.
In WBJ’s Focus on North Central Massachusetts, we highlight the ongoing revitalization of Downtown Fitchburg in the story “Passing the torch” now that two key leaders have come aboard in the decades-long effort. In the other North Central feature story “Enrollment surge”, we dive into how Mount Wachusett Community College in Gardner is seeking to capitalize on a decade-high enrollment spike by expanding its student support services.
The region is knit together by the very active North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, and its president and CEO, Roy Nascimento. The chamber, which was named the national Chamber of the Year in 2023, helps bring together diverse industries and business leaders to collaborate, while advocating for issues like quality education and business-friendly government policies. The strong Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts and United Way of North Central MA all add glue and strategic vision to that regional focus.
While the Greater Worcester area remains the economic center for Central Massachusetts, and MetroWest is full of Fortune 500 companies and communities bordering the greater Boston belt, you’d be hard-pressed to find a business community as fiercely loyal as North Central Massachusetts.
This editorial is the opinion of the WBJ Editorial Board.
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