**MEDIA ADVISORY** McGovern, Tsongas to Join Business and Community Leaders to Announce North Central Mass. Chamber of Commerce as Microlender for Local Small Businesses

McGovern to Recognize Chamber as Leader in Promoting North Central Mass. Small Businesses and Growing Local Economy

Fitchburg, MA, June 18, 2015

FITCHBURG, MA – Tomorrow, June 19th, Congressman Jim McGovern (MA-02) and Congresswoman Niki Tsongas (MA-03) will join business and community leaders at the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce (NCM) in Fitchburg to announce that NCM has been designated by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) as a Microlender for local small businesses.

The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce will now be able to loan funds up to $50,000 (microloans) to small businesses that were denied by banks or only issued a partial amount of needed funds. The microloans come with technical assistance to help ensure more small businesses succeed and help reduce the risk of default. SBA will be presenting a $500,000 check to NCM.

The SBA Microloan program provides direct loans or grants to eligible non-profit microlenders so that they may provide micro-level loans, business training and technical assistance to start-up, newly established and growing small businesses. 

WHO: Congressman Jim McGovern (MA-02)

            Congresswoman Niki Tsongas (MA-03)

            Roy Nascimento, President of North Central MA Chamber of Commerce

            Seth Goodall, New England Regional Administrator, Small Business Administration

            Robert Nelson, Massachusetts Director, Small Business Administration

            State Representative Stephen DiNatale,

            Mayor Lisa Wong, City of Fitchburg

            Mayor Dean Mazzarella, City of Leominster

            Ray Martino, President, Simonds International; Chairman, North Central Massachusetts  

                                  Development Corporation Board of Directors

WHAT: Press Conference Announcing NCM as an SBA Microlender for Small Businesses

WHERE: North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, 860 South Street, Fitchburg

WHEN: Friday, June 19, 2015 at 3:00PM – 4:00PM

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