Local Chambers ban together to show growth
By Karen Mann JOURNAL CORRESPONDENT

Six area chambers of commerce will come together next month to showcase the opportunities available for business owners and workers looking to succeed without having to leave the Route 2 corridor. (Front) Mike Ellis of the Greater Gardner Chamber of Commerce, Liz Penney, Greater Gardner Chamber of Commerce, Maegen McCaffrey, Wachusett Chamber of Commerce, (Back) Sarah Fletcher, Middlesex West Chamber of Commerce, Melissa Fedderhoff, Nashoba Valley Chamber of Commerce, and Heidi Getek, North Central Mass Chamber of Commerce. JOURNAL PHOTO/KAREN MANN

Thousands of workers leave North Central Massachusetts communities every morning to commute to a job outside of the area, and local chambers of commerce are trying to come up with a way to keep them home to work.

Mike Ellis, the president and chief executive officer of the Greater Gardner Chamber of Commerce, and his colleagues believe that capturing those commuters in local jobs would be a boost to the region's economy.

"There are strong, vibrant businesses here," Ellis said.

Although the North Central economy, is often forgotten, and not considered a big player, according to Ellis, it is the only place where manufacturing has grown over the last 10 years.

"Every manufacturing job creates two service sector jobs," Ellis said.

To showcase the business opportunities in the area, the Greater Gardner Chamber of Commerce and five other chambers in the region will host a Route 2 Business Expo next month at the Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel and Trade Center.

The North Central Massachusetts, Middlesex West, Nashoba Valley, North Quabbin and Wachusett chambers of commerce are taking a group approach to highlighting the communities along the Route 2 corridor.

"Regionalization is the only way we as businesses can be successful. As a unified group, we are a power to be reckoned with," Ellis said.

These Chambers collectively cover over 50 towns along the Route 2 Corridor from Concord to Erving and from New Hampshire to Worcester, spanning over three counties and 50 miles along the northern and central Massachusetts region. Collectively, the chambers have almost 3,500 members.

The expo will start that morning with a mega networking breakfast at 7:30 a.m. in the trade center, located next to the hotel. The speed-networking event is designed to allow for the opportunity to network and market businesses to hundreds of businesses and consumers throughout the region.

Immediately following the breakfast, exhibitors will set up in the trade center to promote their business and attract members of the local workforce. Maegen McCaffrey, executive director of the Wachusett Chamber of Commerce, said she hopes for 500 to 1,000 people to attend the events.

"There has been interest across the board (from exhibitors)," said McCaffrey.

Of the 70 plus exhibitors already on board, MacCaffrey said there are businesses from the retail and manufacturing sectors, and different service provider fields participating in the expo.

"So many people have said 'It's about time,'" said McCaffrey.

There are still many open spots available for exhibitors. The group hopes to triple the number already committed, to over 200.

"We have to convince businesses wanting to relocate to do it here. There are pad ready sites in Central Mass. You can put your business in today," Ellis said.

The Route 2 Business Expo will be held on Wednesday, May, 14 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel and Trade Center, 150 Royal Plaza Drive. For more information visit www. route2expo.com