Wachusett Chamber Closes
Under the weight of financial pressure, the Wachusett Chamber of Commerce is shutting its doors immediately, the group announced yesterday.
"It was an incredibly difficult decision to make," said Beth Burns, who is one of the chamber's two executive directors, along with Jennie Delorey.
Burns and Delorey sent an email message to members and other contacts yesterday afternoon announcing that the group was closing.
"While this organization has proudly served the Wachusett region for 97 years, the current economy has had too harsh of an impact on us," they wrote. "Though we currently have a strong and vibrant membership, we are simply unable to get out from under past debts."
Burns said this morning that she's heard from many supporters since sending the notice.
"The outpouring of support and sadness from our members is overwhelming, which is making it harder," she said. "It's a small, close-knit chamber."
David Roth of 4 The Cause Marketing in Fitchburg, a Wachusett member, said he was surprised to hear the news, though he was aware that in recent weeks the chamber had been having financial difficulties and was trying to raise money.
"If it's true, it's not a pleasant thing at all," Roth said. "It's a very supportive, awesome chamber … I'm very shocked."
Option To Switch To Nashoba Valley Chamber
Delorey and Burns wrote that Wachusett members will have the option to transfer their memberships to the Nashoba Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce. The Nashoba group is based in Devens, about 15 miles from the Wachusett Chamber's Clinton headquarters. Nashoba Executive Director Melissa Fetterhoff said the two chambers have worked together over the years, holding joint events and promoting members of both groups.
"It's sad to me that an organization that has been a huge supporter of business has to close their doors after 97 years," she said. "I cannot image going through that and having to make that difficult decision."
But Fetterhoff said she's excited to work with former Wachusett members.
"It's a good fit in that we have very similar memberships and very similar missions," she said. "I think that the members of the Wachusett Chamber are going to find that it's very comfortable to come over here."
Katherine Jasmine, owner and operator of MarketingFIRST in Shirley and a member of both the Wachusett and Nashoba chambers, said she was sorry to hear the news but thinks the Nashoba group will do a good job supporting former Wachusett members.
"The geographic area that each covers, I think, for most businesses, would be appropriate," she said. "A lot of people, especially today, reach out further to get business."
(This story was updated from its original version, which was posted on May 17.)
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