The North Central Massachusetts Economic Development Council was formed as a partnership between the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation (NCMDC) and the community’s two higher education institutions, Fitchburg State University and Mount Wachusett Community College to plan and implement programs to create jobs and increase economic opportunity in the North Central Region. The Council is not a standalone organization, but operates as a policy-guiding body. The NCMDC is the fiduciary and staffs the Council. The North Central Region consists of 26 communities (see below) including the cities of Fitchburg, Gardner, and Leominster. These cities and towns compose a satellite economy located approximately 50 miles west of Boston and 18 miles north of Worcester. Route 2 is the major east-west highway corridor through the region with the intersection of Route 2 and Route 190 occurring in Leominster. Municipalities served: Ashburnham, Ashby, Athol, Ayer, Barre, Clinton, Fitchburg, Gardner, Groton, Harvard, Hubbardston, Lancaster, Leominster, Lunenburg, Orange, Pepperell, Petersham, Phillipston, Princeton, Royalston, Shirley, Sterling, Templeton, Townsend, Westminster