Worcester Business Journal

4 Worcester Business Journal | December 12, 2022 | wbjournal.com C E N T R A L M AS S I N B R I E F V E R BAT I M New CEO "I am excited to move the organization to the next level as trusted advisors to the commonwealth's small and medium-sized manufacturing companies." Kathie Mahoney, new president and CEO of the industry association Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership, who previously served as the center's director. She replaces John Killam. School purchase "This will be a bit of a homecoming for me because I dedicated a significant part of my professional career to making this school one of excellence." David Jordan, president of Worcester nonprofit Seven Hills Foundation, which acquired the New Hampshire school for children with autism Crotched Mountain School, where he served as president for 10 years $169M biz fund "This major federal investment will directly benefit our economy by empowering small businesses and entrepreneurs in Massachusetts – especially our smallest and underserved businesses – with the capital they need to grow." Mike Kennealy, Massachusetts secretary of housing and economic development, on $169 million in U.S. Treasury funding being set aside for loans and seed money for small businesses and entrepreneurs BY TIMOTHY DOYLE WBJ Staff Writer T he UMass Donahue Insti- tute's Economic and Public Policy Research group has completed a study exploring solutions for a worker short- age in Northern Worcester County. e study found the region is experi- encing slow population growth, an aging population leading to more retirements, and the continu- ing effects of the COVID pandem- ic, according to a press release from the North Central Massa- chusetts Chamber of Commerce, which commis- sioned the study. "Like many other areas of the Commonwealth, North Central is feeling the impacts of stagnant labor force engagement beyond the effects of pandemic shutdowns," Roy Nascimento, president and CEO of North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, said in the press release. Two groups are identified in the re- port as targets to expand the workforce: hidden workers and future workers. Hidden workers are le out of the workforce because of a restricted sched- North Central workforce shortage hurt by aging population PHOTO | WBJ FILE ule, language barriers, and other barri- ers. e report recommends a variety of measures including improved transpor- tation options, childcare services, and flexible hours. Future workers refers to people who are not yet in the workforce. e report urges the area's leaders to develop strategies to retain and educate its existing young people as well as address housing costs, education, amenities, and infrastructure to attract new workers to the region. Mount Wachusett Community College in Gardner and Fitchburg State University are partnering with employ- ers to build programs for workforce development, according to the report. "It is our hope that by commission- ing this study that all stakeholders will have a shared roadmap to overcome the challenges and set forth a bright future for employers and workers alike in the region," said Nascimento. W Workers build office furniture at Leominster manufacturer AIS. Manufacturing is one of North Central Massachusetts' key industries. Roy Nascimento, CEO of North Central Mass. Chamber of Commerce

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