NewVue Celebrates Award Recipients at Annual Meeting

June 25, 2026

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Award recipients

We came together at our Annual Meeting on June 24 to celebrate the successes of the past year and look ahead to the challenges and opportunities of the new year.

One of the highlights of the evening was celebrating our three award recipients. We are grateful for their dedication, inspiration and leadership as we work together to strengthen our communities. Congratulations!

Community Partnership Award, the Town of Athol
Luz Sanchez Resident Leadership Award, Felix Colon
Small Business Award, Mera’s Cakes, Merary Candelario Diaz

Our own Small Business Technical Assistance team gave an informative overview of the services we offer and the long-term impact the program has had on our local economy.

Thank you to our returning Board of Directors and welcome to new member Maribel Cruz, a Fitchburg resident who works as the City of Fitchburg’s Director of Housing and Development.

“Our 2026 annual meeting was a terrific success! It was so inspiring to meet our award recipients and see the amazing impact they have on the communities we serve,” said NewVue’s Interim Executive Director Timothy Johnstone. “We were also pleased to report the results of the longitudinal research we just concluded that demonstrates the power of coaching and technical assistance on new and small business success. We are grateful that Ili Spahiu, Deputy Director of The Small Business Administration’s Massachusetts office, as our keynote speaker, affirmed the value of small businesses in growing and strengthening communities! Our board of directors and staff thank all of you who attended and support NewVue’s work.”

Thank you to Canvas by Coff33 Corp. for hosting in its beautiful community space and the Finicky Fork Catering Co. for the delicious meal.