The Massachusetts Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which pays a portion of heating costs for eligible households, is now accepting applications. LIHEAP is a free, statewide resource that helps eligible households by paying a portion of their winter heating bill from November 1 through April 30, 2024. 

The LIHEAP program is administered by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities in partnership with Local Administering Agencies across the state.

No matter what type of heating source you have, LIHEAP may be able to help you pay a portion of your winter heating bills. All Massachusetts residents are encouraged to explore eligibility for this free program and apply for assistance.

All Massachusetts residents whose gross income is 60% of the estimated state median income (for example, $59,359 for a family of 2 and $87,294 for a family of 4) or less are encouraged to explore eligibility for this free program. Eligibility requirements, include but are not limited to household size and combined gross annual income of residents 18 and older. More information on income limits and benefit amounts can be found here https://www.mass.gov/doc/fy-2024-liheap-income-eligibility-and-benefit-chart-june-2023/download.

The heating season runs from November 1, 2023 - April 30, 2024, and home heating costs during that time may be eligible to have a portion paid through LIHEAP. Applications are accepted through April 30, 2024.

Eligible Massachusetts households can apply online at www.toapply.org/MassLIHEAP.

Worcester Business Journal is excited to produce our 9th annual Manufacturing Summit & Excellence Awards where we’ll tap a panel of experts to dig into top issues affecting manufacturers in our region. In addition, we’ll recognize some of the area’s top manufacturing firms with our annual Central Mass "Manufacturing Excellence Awards" ceremony and networking reception.

Manufacturers have been faced with significant challenges over the past few years, including disrupted supply chains and major workforce shortages, which have in turn helped spur an increase in automation.

In this forum, our panel of industry and manufacturing leaders will discuss the disruptions of the last couple years, how we’re coming out of that period, and the top issues on the horizon that will shape the direction of their companies and the industry.

Paul Revere Toastmaster has a new "home" but our goals remain the same: to perfect public speaking and leadership skills and that takes practice. We provide the place and feedback for you to succeed. Please join us for an hour of prepared and spontaneous speeches--guest participation is not required. See if Toastmasters can help you!!

Join us on Friday, April 26 at 8:00AM at DCU Club, Polar Park for our 2024 Stand Against Racism Community Breakfast event.

Registration starts at 7:30 a.m. and program will start at 8:00 a.m. Upon arrival, please enter at Gate D for security check and take the elevator to 3rd floor.

PLACING THE ‘EQUITY’ IN WOMEN’S HEALTH:

Dr. Crista Johnson-Agbakwu’s efforts to advance healthy equity to vulnerable, under-served, and historically marginalized communities has led to a nationally recognized and innovative best practice model of care. Join us as she sets the stage for a shared learning and leading experience that moves Worcester closer to eliminating racism and empowering women through health equity.

Working towards true racial justice takes all of us. Join us in advancing justice today and every day — until justice just is.

May’s Fun at Five Networking
Wednesday, May 1
5:00 – 7:00 pm

Old Sturbridge Village
Ox & Yoke Mercantile
1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, Sturbridge MA 01566

Located in the Oliver Wight Building just outside the main Visitor Center the Ox & Yoke Mercantile is a great place to meet for coffee or tea, Village-made pastries, soups, salads, and desserts. Looking for a gift? Find a wide variety of Village-made crafts and designs, plus New England made food items, gardening supplies, children’s books, toys, and so much more.

Join us for Networking at OSV’s Ox & Yoke Mercantile and Café!
Come see the newly renovated Ox & Yoke Mercantile and Café at Old Sturbridge Village. Enjoy delicious sweet and savory offerings including the Village’s famous signature cookies.

Get a peek behind the scenes at OSV and learn about what the Village has planned for the year ahead including special Christmas by Candlelight offerings and new membership perks. In addition, there will be games, raffles, prizes, and networking.

THANK YOU TO OUR FUN AT FIVE SPONSOR!
DEXTER-RUSSELL

A handle. A Blade. And 200 years of experience. Dexter-Russell is a leading manufacturer of high-quality professional cutlery, with a history dating back to 1818. The company was founded in Southbridge, Massachusetts and began crafting knives and tools for local farmers and tradespeople. Today, Dexter-Russell is recognized as a top choice among chefs and foodservice professionals worldwide, offering durable, reliable, and expertly crafted knives that are designed to meet the needs of the modern kitchen.

Visit the Dexter Factory Outlet Store for great deals on quality products like kitchen cutlery, kitchen tools, industrial cutlery, tactical knives, and more! We have first quality as well as factory seconds at discounted prices.

OUTLET STORE HOURS: Thursdays 3:30pm – 6:30pm, Saturdays 8am – 12pm. Please call 1-800-343-6042 to confirm hours.

Dexter-Russell, 44 River St, Southbridge, MA, 508-765-0201, https://dexter1818.com/

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Open House: REGUS
Date: Friday May 3rd
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Location: 198 Charlton Rd. Suite 8, Sturbridge, MA 01566

Regus and the Chamber of Central Mass South cordially invite you for an afternoon with snacks and refreshments to celebrate the opening of the new Regus location in Sturbridge.

Guided tours are organized so that you can view the workplaces throughout the center.

The Chamber will cut the official red ribbon at 1:00 p.m.

ABOUT REGUS
For more than 30 years, Regus has helped businesses find and create the perfect workspace for their people.

Their extensive network of locations enables companies of all sizes to work wherever and however they need.

VISIT ONLINE FOR MORE. https://www.regus.com/

Let us know you are coming
RSVP BY EMAIL: sturbridge.charltonrd@regus.com

Enjoy a day listening to local musicians, hosted by Cinch I.T., while supporting the mission of CASA Project Worcester County! Purchase your ticket to this fundraiser event to join us on Saturday, May 4 from 12-6pm at the School Yahd (West Boylston) for music, raffles, lawn games, food trucks, and more.

Showdown ‘24 ! is Worcester County’s longest running and largest annual Food Truck Festival and Craft Fair. Celebrity judges and event attendees cast votes for their favorite food truck to be honored with the prestigious “Best of Worcester County Food Trucks” and “People’s Choice” awards. Along with great food from over 30 food trucks, customers may browse among the over 50 artisanal craft vendors, enjoy carnival style games, listen to music, experience the personalities of live Professional Wrestling or participate in an array of yard games such as corn hole, giant blocks, ladder toss and other activities just for the kids. Enjoy craft beer and wines at this year’s event from “The Stein & Vine”, Central Massachusetts’ favorite mobile bar service. It’s a fantastic way to spend a Spring afternoon with family and friends in a beautiful outdoor setting.

Celebration of pets -- dogs, cats, and others. FREE microchipping for first 50 pets; Leash exchange (trade in retractable for 6 foot nylon leash), crafts for kids, dog promenade for nicely behaved dogs on nylon leashes

The 27th annual Best Ball Charity Golf Tournament will take place on May 8th, 2024 at Cyprian Keyes golf Club, in Boylston, MA.

The annual 18-hole golf classic includes a continental breakfast starting at 8:00 am with a 9:00 am shotgun start. Golfer registration consisted of giveaways, green fees, golf cart, and a steak dinner.

It’s support like yours that allows us to continue providing care to thousands of Veterans and their families every year.

Register today! birdease.com/VeteransInc

For more information and sponsorship opportunities please contact Golf@veteransinc.org

Few things have been hyped as much as Artificial Intelligence. However, behind all that hype, many business owners are left wondering if, when and how AI is going to impact their business. In this highly interactive presentation we’ll take a moment to align on where AI is today, why everyone is talking about it, and where it is going in the near future. After establishing some context, we’ll explore how AI is being used today and more importantly, how you can start using it in your own business. Finally, we’ll leave lots of time for your questions.

Enjoy hot and cold hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar in Craft's Hall while we learn about Artificial Intelligence from an expert in the field.

HORS D'OEUVRES
Classic Beef Tartar on Potato Crisps
Roasted Beef, Basil & Goat Cheese Tartlets
Artichoke Beignets, Beef Bourguignon Puffs
Mac & Cheese Croquettes, Miniature Chicken Pot Pies

SPACE IS LIMITED. Please RSVP!

About the Presenter: Delcie Bean, CEO of Paragus I.T.

Since founding the company at the age of thirteen, Delcie Bean has transformed Paragus I.T. into one of the most successful, fastest-growing IT firms in the region. The company’s unique corporate culture and strategic approach to providing outsourced I.T. services to small-to-medium sized businesses have earned many accolades, including Inc. Magazine’s list of 5,000 fastest-growing businesses and Forbes Magazine’s 25 Small Giants.

As the company has grown, so has Delcie’s commitment to equity and inclusion. In 2014, he created Tech Foundry, an educational nonprofit designed to address the need for a skilled I.T. workforce by providing in-depth training for promising individuals from marginalized or underrepresented communities. In 2016, Delcie began the process of transitioning Paragus to a 100% employee-owned company.

Today, Delcie is on a mission to grow Paragus into a $250 million firm with offices all throughout the country. In doing so, Delcie aims to create more than 100 employee-owner millionaires. Most recently, Paragus expanded into Central Massachusetts by acquiring Comportz Technologies and opening an office in downtown Worcester.

When he isn’t at the helm of Paragus, Delcie is living the quiet life with his wife of 15 years and their three boys in southern NH, serving as a trustee of Bay Path University, and fulfilling his commitment to lifelong learning through his service to YPO.

The Auburn Chamber Community Expo is a great opportunity to meet customers, prospects, and other Chamber members in a fun and casual environment. The Showcase is free and open to the public to encourage maximum community participation.

Meet key contacts in the Worcester Public Career
Vocational Technical Education Programs, gain detailed insight
into the programs each school offers, and learn how to access
emerging graduating students for your business.

Come meet Worldwide television superstar, Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino of Jersey Shore and Jersey Shore Family Vacation fame. He will be meeting fans and signing copies of his bestselling book, Reality Check: Making the Best of The Situation – How I Overcame Addiction, Loss, and Prison.



For more information on this event please visit: https://a-great-notion.square.site/



About Reality Check:

No punches are pulled in this unfiltered tale relaying Mike's darkest thoughts after trying heroin, going to prison, and grieving his wife’s tragic miscarriages.



As in all true redemption stories, Mike never gave up, and readers are sure to be inspired by his determination to get clean and sober and become the family man he is today.



Reality Check unveils the untold stories behind the scenes of Jersey Shore and showbiz, pulling back the curtain at the making of a cultural phenomenon. Sorrentino’s genuine voice and raw honesty resonate from page to page, inviting readers to reflect on their own lives and find inspiration in his journey.

We are excited to announce the Tri-State SHRM Conference, the largest HR conference in New England, which will take place at Mohegan Sun (Uncasville, CT) from May 13 - 15, 2024.
Our conference aims to unmask the changing face of HR by providing HR leaders with the necessary tools to stay ahead of the curve. The multi-day event will feature keynote speakers, educational breakout sessions, (SHRM and HRCI Recertification Credits) interactive games, multiple business networking opportunities, and an expo showcasing the latest HR technology and trends.