Mount Wachusett Partnership Awarded $150,000 Workforce Grant
GARDNER – Mount Wachusett Community College (MWCC) is a workforce training partner in a $150,000 Community Workforce Partnership Grant awarded to the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation (NCMDC) by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Through this award, MWCC will partner with NCMDC, the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce (NCMCC), and the Spanish American Center (SAC) to increase enrollment and completion rates in high-demand career fields including information technology, healthcare, and education.
Building on the foundation and successes of the partners’ past, nationally recognized Equitable Credentialing Initiative, this collaboration will strengthen access to workforce training and support services. The project will combine targeted outreach, industry-aligned technical skills training, and comprehensive student support services, along with critical English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction and direct employer connections to create sustainable career pathways.
MWCC will play a key role in delivering training and student support services designed to help participants successfully complete credentials and transition into employment. The NCMDC and the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce will connect participants with employer partners and workforce opportunities, while the Spanish American Center will provide culturally responsive outreach and essential ESL programming to ensure broader access for multilingual learners and immigrant communities.
For more information about MWCC workforce programs and training opportunities, visit mwcc.edu.
North Quabbin Garden Club meeting
ATHOL – On March 19 at 7 p.m. at the Millers River Environmental Center, Jen Burt, a farmer and seed grower, will discuss simple season extensions in the home garden. Gardeners grow and harvest fresh vegetables starting earlier in the spring and later in the fall using timed planting schedules, cold tolerant varieties and simple methods to protect plants from the cold. Participants will have a better understanding of how the length of the day can affect planting. This workshop is intended for gardeners who have no heated growing space. Attendance is free and all are welcome.
Voting by mail in Athol election
ATHOL – Voting by mail for the April 6 Town Election is available to all registered voters in Athol. All Vote by Mail applications that were received in 2025 expired on Dec. 31, 2025. A new application is required to receive a mail-in ballot for 2026 and can be found byvisitinghttps://tinyurl.com/y6y6s7fs.
Voters can submit an online application through the online portal of the Secretary of State at https://tinyurl.com/52hby6x7.
A Vote by Mail application or any form of written communication requesting a ballot can be submitted to the town clerk’s office, mailed or put in the drop box outside of the Town Hall. Visit https://tinyurl.com/2wv4u2w7 for an application or contact the town clerk’s office for an application to be mailed.
Applications can be submitted by email at vote@townofathol.org or faxed to 978-249-2491. All applications must include a hand-written signature. A typed signature is not acceptable unless you are a voter who needs an accommodation due to a physical disability. Those unable to sign the application or mark the ballot, please contact the Town Clerk’s Office for assistance.
The deadline to submit a Vote by Mail application to the town clerk’s office is Monday, March 30, by 5 p.m. For further information, contact the Town Clerk’s Office at 978-721-8445 or email at vote@townofathol.org.