Monthly Newsletter
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March 2024 | In This Issue
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- Nuvera Fuel Cells event
- Community Connections Breakfast
- Brown's Corner Highlight
- Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce Social Promotion
- Did you know?
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On March 28th, Nuvera Fuel Cells (a #MadeInBillerica business) hosted Governor Maura Healy and Congress-woman Lori Trahan to celebrate a $30m grant they received from the Department of Energy (DOE) from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill. The grant to Nuvera is a significant portion of the total amount coming to Massachusetts out of the bill. | |
The DOE selected Nuvera’s project to develop the high-volume production process for its next-generation fuel cell stack technology. "We have really leaned into the economic possibilities that come with the move away from fossil fuels," remarked Governor Healey, adding, " …we're going to lean into our strengths. We have been a state of innovation, of entrepreneurship, we own the world when it comes to life sciences and we want to own the world when it comes to climate tech innovation." | |
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The Governor and Congresswoman Trahan were joined by Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, the CEO of the Mass Clean Energy Center (Mass CEC), Emily Reichert, Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs, Rebecca Tepper, and Undersecretary for Economic Development, Ashley Stolpa. Billerica was well represented by Select Board Members, Mike Riley and John Burrows as well as Town Manager John Curran and Director of Planning and Economic Development, Erika Oliver Jerram.
Attendees, including many Nuvera employees, were given a tour of the Billerica facility as well as a demonstration of the newest manufacturing technology and a hydrogen cell in action charging a car. We are pleased this cutting edge company has made Billerica its home and look forward to watching them change the way we think of energy.
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Community Connections Breakfast | |
On March 28th, Billerica Town Manager John Curran participated in the Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce’s annual Community Connections Breakfast with municipal leaders from around the region. In addition to Curran, panelists included Thomas Golden (Lowell), Paul Cohen (Chelmsford), Ann Vandal (Dracut), Steve Sadwick, representing Richard Montuori (Tewksbury), Colin Loiselle (Tyngsborough), and Kristen Las (Westford). VP of Administration for Middlesex Community College, Patrick Cook served as moderator! |  | Each panelist shared some of the concerns they see on the horizon for the region and for their municipalities but also shared positive news about new projects and collaborations. Among the themes discussed was the challenge of balancing a budget under proposition 2 ½ as salaries, goods, and municipal contracts for things like health care and solid waste have increased dramatically. Lowell's Tom Golden noted that businesses can help by serving on local boards and serving as an ambassador for the community to their colleagues. | |
Bright spots include Lowell’s LINC project, partnerships for DEI and other training with the Middlesex Community College, the growth of advanced manufacturing in places like Billerica, and new cannabis facilities. Emcee Pat Cook simultaneously revved up the audience and promoted the MA Pirates indoor football with a series of pirate jokes. Chamber President, Danielle McFadden closed the event with her "lighting round" for the panelists which brought much laughter including questions like "what song do you use to hype up before the Town Meeting?", "what is the way to your heart?", and "describe yourself in three words". | |
Local businesses keep Billerica going and this is most true at Brown’s Corner! There are numerous shops and services here but we want to highlight some of the great restaurants in this district that are taking Billerica’s underrated food scene to the next level. Keep an eye out for these businesses and more when you head over there: | |
Come to this local food spot to try handcrafted gourmet Polish pierogi made with love! They come in a range of flavors, both traditional like potato and cheese, and non-traditional like honey hot chicken and sweet pierogi like Cadbury Sweet Cheese. They even make pierogi for your pup! These Polish dumplings are guaranteed to satisfy any of your cravings. | |
Swing by this staple Billerica joint for classic American diner food! They serve up steak and eggs, a variety of omelets, pancakes, and much more. This diner was even voted as one of the best diners in the Greater Boston region according to Boston.com’s readers! | |
Northeast Smokehouse is our newest culinary addition offering gourmet smoked meats and authentic BBQ favorites. Head over for some delicious, dry rub meat served up family style! | |
Close to Brown’s Corner is Stelios, a Billerica culinary favorite! They serve up classic comfort food dishes for all your cravings like quesadillas, shepherd’s pie, and crab rangoons using only seasonal and fresh ingredients. | |
Garrisons is also just down the road serving something for everyone as well as live music most Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Click here to check out their entertainment calendar. | |
Also, plans are in the works for Brelundi, a successful Waltham restaurant serving fine Italian food, to open a Billerica location at 279 Boston Road as part of the new mixed use development there. | |
Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce Social Promotion | |
#ICYMI, the Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce promoted Billerica in their March social media posts! Every Sunday in March, they highlighted Billerica news and updates on their Twitter page. We thank them for this partnership and hope to collaborate again soon. Check out their page to see what they posted about Billerica! | |
Did you know that Sam Adams and John Hancock stayed in Billerica? | |
Billerica has a famous connection the Revolutionary War through the story of Thomas Ditson and his Yankee Doodle Connection, but did you know that the night before the Battles of Lexington and Concord on April 19th, 1775, Paul Revere and William Dawes rode horseback in the middle of the night to alert residents of approaching British forces. | |
John Hancock’s secretary, Jonas Clarke, and Revere accompanied the duo to their first stop in Burlington where they took a break at the home of Madame Jones. They were presented with a "fine salmon" and were about to eat when a Lexington farmer burst through the doors to warn them that the British were coming. Adams and Hancock had to abandon their feast and continue on their journey. | |
They made their way to Billerica and stopped at Amos Wyman’s homestead. It was here that they finally sat down and ate. Instead of salmon, Wyman’s wife Kezia Kendall Wyman offered them "cold salt pork and potatoes served on a wooden tray." After this short-notice meal, Adams and Hancock spent the night at Wyman’s homestead before departing the next morning. | |
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Although Billerica played a small role in this famous story, we are proud of our contributions to the wider revolutionary tradition in Massachusetts.
Today, although the homestead no longer stands in Billerica, you can see the commemorative granite plaque where the site once was behind 55 Middlesex Turnpike and next to Homewood Suites by Hilton on 35 Middlesex Turnpike.
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