Press release submitted by North Central Massachusetts Development Corp
The North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation (NCMDC), the economic development arm of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, recently granted a $32,000 loan to Rise & Grind Café and Smoothie Bar. A matching loan of $32,500 was provided by the City of Fitchburg, with NewVue Communities providing guidance on business projections.
Funding will support the purchase of equipment, leasehold improvements and supplies at the business’ second location at 805 Main Street, Fitchburg, Mass. The loans enabled the business to create four new jobs.
Managers Mark P. McCaffrey and Alexander C. Schinas opened Rise and Grind Café and Smoothie Bar in 2021 located at 507 R Lancaster Street, Leominster, Mass. Upon the success of their first location, the duo decided to open a second location in downtown Fitchburg earlier this year.
“We are grateful to the community for supporting our business over the years and enjoying our smoothies at Empire Athletics,” said McCaffery. “With the support our community, the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation, NewVue Communities and the City of Fitchburg, we were able to expand our offerings of delicious smoothies, coffee, and a variety of café foods and desserts to a second location in the heart of downtown Fitchburg.”
For more information about Rise and Grind Café and Smoothie Bar, visit www.riseandgrindcafema.com
As a microloan lender, NCMDC can provide loans to small businesses up to $250,000 for working capital, real estate, equipment, inventory, expansion and working with our banking partners to provide gap financing for the final piece of a project.
For more information about the NCMDC loan programs, please call 978.353.7607 or visit NorthCentralMass.com or ChooseNorthCentral.com.
About the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation
The North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation (NCMDC) is a non-profit economic development corporation with the mission of creating jobs and improving the economy. NCMDC is certified by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and the U.S. Department of the Treasury under the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Program. The NCMDC works in partnership with local banks, credit unions, chambers of commerce and area nonprofits to support emerging microenterprises, small businesses and community projects in 76 communities in Worcester and Middlesex Counties with loans and business assistance. Since 1996, the NCMDC has granted over $22,000,000 in loans to small businesses to help grow jobs and the economy in the region. For more information about the NCMDC loan programs, please call 978.353.7607 or visit.
About the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce
The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce is a business advocacy and economic development organization. The Chamber’s mission is to advance the economy of North Central Massachusetts and strengthen its quality of place by connecting businesses, people, and ideas. The Chamber serves nearly 700 member businesses of all sizes from virtually all industries in the twenty-seven communities that comprise North Central Massachusetts. The Chamber was named 2023 Chamber of the Year by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives and also received a five-star accreditation from the accrediting board of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Find the Chamber online at northcentralmass.com or on Twitter at @NCMChamber.