Worcester Business Journal

32 Worcester Business Journal | October 30, 2023 | wbjournal.com BUSINESS SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS Better Business Bureau (serving Central and Western Massachusetts and Northeastern Connecticut) 400 Grove St. Worcester 01605 508-755-3340 bbb.org/local-bbb/bbb-serving-central- and-western-ma-and-northeastern-ct Services provided: Maintains data on reported companies and handles complaints against companies. Issues consumer alerts and warnings on fraudulent business scams and provides business advisory services, consumer guides, and reports on charities. Marlborough Economic Development Corp. 91 Main St. Marlborough 01752 508-229-2010 marlboroughedc.com Services provided: MEDC is a public- private partnership operating as a nonprofit corporation, established by state legislation, which works closely with the Marlborough mayor and city council. Its role is to work directly with site selectors, developers, investors, and businesses to help them enter, establish, and expand in the city, in order to facilitate and foster economic development. North Central Massachusetts Development Corp. 860 South St. Fitchburg 01420 978-353-7607 choosenorthcentral.com Services provided: NCMDC is a nonprofit corporation aimed at creating jobs and improving the economy of North Central Massachusetts. It acts as a connector, facilitator, and partner for businesses looking to start, expand, or relocate to the region. Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) — Worcester Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce 311 Main St., Suite 200 Worcester 01608 508-753-2929 worcester.score.org Services provided: Counseling in starting and running a business. Regional mentoring offices available on particular days of the week at the Corridor Nine Chamber of Commerce (Westborough), North Central Chamber of Commerce (Fitchburg), Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce (Whitinsville), Nashoba Valley Chamber of Commerce (Shirley), Jacob Edwards Library (Southbridge), Marlborough Regional Chamber of Commerce, Hopkinton Public Library, and Milford Area Chamber of Commerce. Small Business Service Bureau Inc. 38 Austin St., P.O. Box 15014 Worcester 01615 800-472-7199 sbsb.com Services provided: Group insurance plans for small employers and individuals. Worcester Business Development Corp. 89 Shrewsbury St., Suite 300 Worcester 01604 508-755-5734 thewbdc.com Services provided: Nonprofit providing economic development for Worcester and the Central Massachusetts region. COLLEGE-AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS Massachusetts Small Business Development Center (MSBDC) Network at Clark University Central Regional Office 125 Woodland St. Worcester 01610 Mailing: 950 Main St. Worcester 01610 508-793-7615 clarku.edu/offices/small-business- development- center Services provided: Fee-based seminars and free counseling at the MSBDC and at outreach offices for startup, expanding and troubled businesses. All counseling services are confidential. MetroWest Economic Research Center (MERC) Framingham State University 100 State St., P.O. Box 9101 Framingham 01701 508-626-4033 merc-fsu.org Services provided: Economic research, referral of economics and business administration majors for internships, economic data, and analyses to businesses, municipalities, nonprofits, and residents through conferences, publications, community lectures, and reports. The Venture Forum 306 Main St., Suite 400 Worcester 01608 theventureforum. org Services provided: Informational programs, events, and networking opportunities aimed at helping entrepreneurs. GOVERNMENTAL/ QUASI-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission 1 Mercantile St., Suite 520 Worcester 01608 508-756-7717 cmrpc.org Services provided: Collaborates with governments and officials of Worcester and 39 surrounding Central Mass. communities to aid in planning and implementing regional and municipal development. MassDevelopment Finance Agency Central Massachusetts Office 89 Shrewsbury St., Suite 300 Worcester 01604 508-363-2799 massdevelopment.com/who-we-are/ regional-teams/central Services provided: Serves 76 towns and cities in Central Mass. Issues tax-exempt and taxable bonds; insures loans; assists manufacturers by providing resources; oversees development of large-scale real estate projects; and provides pre-development assistance funding. MassHire Central Region Workforce Board 340 Main St., Suite 400 Worcester 01608 508-791-3181 masshirecentral.com Services provided: Serves 38 cities and towns in Central Mass. A workforce board which develops and executes strategies for job advancement to promote economic stability in the region. MassHire Metro South/West Career Center 39 Grant St. Framingham 01701 508-861-7993 masshiremsw.com Services provided: A public resource for regional employment services for job- seekers and businesses. MassHire Metro South/West Workforce Board 420 Lakeside Ave., Suite 301 Marlborough 01752 508-281-6910 Services Provided: Works with businesses and public institutions as partners or to supply workforce information. MassHIre North Central Career Center 100 Erdman Way Leominster 01453 978-534-1481 masshirenorthcentralcc.com Services provided: A public resource for regional employment services for job- seekers and businesses. Business services in Massachusetts F A C T B O O K B U S I N E S S R E S O U R C E G U I D E Meredith Harris, MEDC executive director Zachary Dutton, Venture Forum executive director Roy Nascimento, NCMDC CEO and president Bob Spellane, MSBDC interim regional director

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