Story by Fitchburg Mayor Sam Squailia
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WBJ asked 400+ of the most powerful people in Central Massachusetts who they believe are the most influential professional in the region. On top of the list of the top 15 votegetters, we asked those powerful people to write stories about one person they voted for.
Dan Nigrosh understands how to take what a city has and turn it into what a city needs. As the owner of Can-Am Machinery, he’s spent decades building a global business right here in Fitchburg: buying, selling, and refurbishing equipment for the paper industry with clients around the world. Operating out of a 254,000-square-foot historic mill, Dan brings not just technical expertise but deep experience in the industrial economy.
Dan’s been a leader in repurposing Fitchburg’s industrial infrastructure, notably through the thoughtful redevelopment of the Emerson Falls mill complex. He’s created a welcoming home for local businesses like Mully’s Indoor Golf Lounge, Next Generation Elite Sports Performance, Supernatural All Stars, Madore Photography, and Oliver’s Café by the Falls – a cafe and restaurant with the most beautiful waterfall setting – helping to spark new life and foot traffic in a space once dedicated solely to manufacturing.
As Fitchburg prepares to close the chapter on its paper mill era, Dan’s work stands out as a model for how we transition with purpose, turning industrial decline into opportunity.
Story by Fitchburg Mayor Sam Squailia
