Berkshire Immigrant Center welcomes three new members to its Board of Directors
Pittsfield— The Berkshire Immigrant Center (BIC) is pleased to welcome three new members to its Board of Directors, Roberta McCulloch-Dews, David Russell and Joseph Zlatnik.
Roberta McCulloch-Dews is Vice President of Marketing at Greylock Federal Credit Union. Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Roberta immigrated to the U.S. when she was two years old. Growing up in the Bronx, Roberta observed – and took to heart – her family’s strong work ethic, commitment to education, and service. A communications professional with more than 20 years of experience, Roberta began her career as a newspaper journalist, and later transitioned to marketing communications and public relations. Roberta serves as a Trustee on the board for the Norman Rockwell Museum and is also on the board for the Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts, and the Samuel Harrison Society. She is also a youth mentor with the Rites of Passage Empowerment Program (R.O.P.E.). Roberta graduated from New York University (NYU) with a bachelor’s degree in print journalism and earned a master’s degree in social and public policy from SUNY Empire.
David Russell was born and raised in the Midwestern US. David served in the U.S. Air Force, including attendance at the AF Academy. He graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. His career included nearly 30 years with Procter & Gamble as a Project Manager and Program Manager, three years managing a sizable portion of the project portfolio at Yale University as a Director, and multiple years consulting in the field of project management. David served as the President and Chair of the Board for the Southwest Ohio Chapter of the Project Management Institute (PMI) and was active with PMI until his retirement. He currently serves on the Finance Committee for his church and is the Chair of the Facilities Committee for Barrington Stage Company.
Joseph Zlatnik was born in Kiev, Ukraine, and immigrated to the US 1989. He was raised in Queens, New York. Joseph’s childhood experiences with immigration left an indelible mark on him, and motivated his desire to join the board of BIC. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Legal Studies from the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and his Juris Doctorate from Boston University School of Law. He moved to Berkshire County in 2011 to join family who had moved to the area, and to work at the Berkshire District Attorney’s Office. Subsequently, Joseph worked as an associate attorney at Hochberg Law Offices in Pittsfield. Joseph currently operates his own private law practice in Pittsfield, and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Berkshire Bar Advocates, an agency responsible for providing public criminal defense services to indigent defendants in Berkshire County Courts. Joseph is thrilled to join the Board of Directors of the Berkshire Immigrant Center to assist in furthering its goals of aiding the immigrant constituents of Berkshire County.
To read more about the BIC’s Board of Directors, please see https://www.berkshireic.org/about/bic-board-of-directors.
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The Berkshire Edge presents ‘Financing your Business: From Start-up to Sale’, a free webinar for Berkshire business owners and entrepreneurs looking to start a business
Berkshire— On Wednesday, November 15, 9:30-11 a.m. The Berkshire Edge presents “Financing your Business: From Start-up to Sale”, a free webinar for Berkshire business owners and entrepreneurs looking to start a business.
This is one of a series of webinars hosted by The Berkshire Edge to support the local business community by providing a forum for meaningful conversation about timely issues.
Moderator Bob Braddick and three panelists from the Berkshire financial services community will explore approaches to securing capital in the current financial environment.
Panelists include:
- Allen Harris, CEO and Chief Investment Officer, Berkshire Money Management;
- Mike Barbieri, Vice President, Business Banking, at Greylock Federal Credit Union; and
- Tim Burke, CEO, Mill Town Capital.
Bring your questions for a virtual Q & A after the panel discussion.
The webinar is on Wednesday, November 15, 9:30-11 a.m. on Zoom. There will be a panel discussion from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. followed by a Q&A from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Advanced registration and Zoom link can be found online. For more information, email EdgeBusinessMonday@gmail.com.
The “Local Hero” sponsor of this webinar is Berkshire Money Management. The “Leader” sponsor is Lee Bank.
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Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. announces second round of ‘Pittsfield Glow Up!’ Business improvement grant applications are now available
Pittsfield— Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. (DPI) and the Pittsfield Economic Revitalization Corporation (PERC) are co-facilitating a second round of the “Pittsfield Glow Up! Business Improvement Grant Program” made possible by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The program’s purpose is to provide grants of up to $10,000 to eligible businesses affected by COVID-19 within ARPA’s disproportionately impacted district of Pittsfield. The grant funds are to be used for physical improvements that will enhance the experience of foot traffic and create a visual vibrancy in the district.
To apply, you must be a for-profit business in operation since January 2021, be in good standing with the state and city, and be within ARPA’s disproportionately impacted district. A map of the district is located at https://downtownpittsfield.com/2023/01/pittsfield-glow-up-business-improvement-grants.
Businesses that received funds in the first round are not eligible to reapply, but property owners can apply for different locations. If you were not selected in the first round, you may reapply for this second round.
Rebecca Brien, Managing Director of Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. says “Thanks to ARPA funding provided by the City of Pittsfield, we are able to help small businesses on projects that the struggles of the past few years made impossible. This program can help with that fresh coat of paint; a new, easy to see sign; or lighting in a spruced-up entryway. We want to see our city become the bright, beautiful, and vibrant district we know it can be!”
Eligible uses of grant funding include Painting (interior and exterior), Signage (building or blade), Lighting Improvements (exterior or window), Flooring Replacement, Entryway Upgrades, Windows (replacement, washing), Awnings (new or replacements), Accessibility Improvements, and Select Interior Improvements or Repairs (note that furniture, fixtures, and equipment are not eligible).
The first-round application of intent for this second round of The Pittsfield Glow Up! Business Improvement Grant is due by Sunday, December 31, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. To view the full criteria and access the online application, visit https://downtownpittsfield.com/2023/11/pittsfield-glow-up-business-improvement-grants. Paper copies of the application are available at the Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. office at 33 Dunham Mall. Any grant-related questions may be directed to Rebecca Brien, Managing Director of Downtown Pittsfield, Inc., at 413-443-6501 or businessdevelopment@downtownpittsfield.com
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Nursing scholarships provide free tuition at Berkshire Community College
Pittsfield— Nursing students planning to enroll at Berkshire Community College (BCC) may now receive free tuition, thanks to a grant from the Commonwealth.
The Community College Nursing Scholarship program is designed for students who intend to enroll in and complete a credential or degree in nursing. The program provides “last dollar” financial assistance to ensure that all eligible students have adequate resources to fully cover the direct costs of tuition and fees towards a certificate or associate degree at a public community college. An allocation for books and supplies is also provided.
Those eligible for the program must:
- Reside in Massachusetts for at least one year prior to the beginning of the school term and be a U.S. citizen, permanent legal resident or non-citizen eligible under Title IV regulations, or have an approved eligibility status designated by the Board of Higher Education;
- Have not earned a prior degree;
- Not be in default on any state or federal student loans for attendance at any institution;
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) annually, or an alternative application designated by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education;
- Be enrolled full-time or part-time in a nursing program at a community college in Massachusetts;
- Meet satisfactory academic progress (SAP); and
- Demonstrate unmet need toward the costs of tuition, fees, books and supplies, after all other grant and scholarship aid has been accounted for.
To enroll in the Community College Nursing Scholarship Program at BCC, submit an application at www.berkshirecc.edu/apply, complete the FAFSA form, and contact the One Stop Enrollment Center at OneStop@berkshirecc.edu or 413-499-4660 to complete the registration process. Advisors are on hand to help with FAFSA forms and applications.
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Berkshire Community College to offer bartending and mixology workshop
Pittsfield— Berkshire Community College (BCC) will offer a six-part Bartending and Mixology workshop as part of its series of personal enrichment workshops on Mondays, November 13 through December 18 from 5:30-7:30 pm. The workshop series will be held at the Polish Falcon Club, located at 32 Bel Air Ave, Pittsfield.
Participants will learn the fundamental principles of mixology, bar organization and equipment, including how to properly prepare and serve mixed drinks, cocktails and wines. A review of the legal ramifications of serving alcohol will also be covered. Registrants must be at least 18 years old and have a valid Massachusetts ID.
The fee is $189 for all six sessions. To register, visit www.berkshirecc.edu/2023workshops
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Great Barrington voters approve $300,000 Community Preservation Act grant for Farmsteads for Farmer’s purchase and preservation of River Run Farm
Great Barrington— At the town meeting on October 23rd, Assistant Town Manager Chris Rembold presented the application with the following statement:
“The last one tonight is a grant to the community land trust to acquire 200 North Plain Road, a farm and residence in the heart of a Great Barrington breadbasket, if you will. It’s a 79-acre parcel. The land trust will own the land and execute a long-term lease to the owners of Off the Shelf Farm. The project will preserve the farm for farm use in perpetuity. Since the land trust will own the land, it won’t go back on the market ever. It’ll always be used for farm use and farm housing, and it also protects a vast swath of habitat and floodplain area along the Housatonic River. And the Community Preservation Committee recommends this grant as well.”
With this grant, Berkshire Community Land Trust is now over two-thirds of the way toward financing the $1.65M to close on the property on February 15th, 2024. Donations are coming in weekly (over $11,000 has been donated since Oct 10th), but there is still $539,633 left to raise.
Farmsteads for Farmers addresses land insecurity for small farmers in the Berkshires while also building a resilient, more self-sufficient Berkshire food system. We place farmland in community hands (via the community land trust model) while enabling small scale farmers to build equity in improvements such as buildings and soil quality. One of the cornerstone goals of Farmsteads for Farmers is resilience of the Berkshire food system. This means focusing on regenerative agricultural practices which will be included in the terms of the lease.
The red oak that was planted at the River Run dedication is thriving with scarlet persistent leaves, and they are determined to be just as steadfast in raising the necessary funds to close on February 15th. More information can be found online.
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The Becket Athenaeum adds program space with Fitzpatrick grant funding
Becket— The Becket Athenaeum, Becket & Washington’s Community Library, was recently selected by the Trustees of the Jane & Jack Fitzpatrick Trust to receive a generous grant to remodel the library’s Children’s and Choir Lofts.
These renovations will allow the Athenaeum to increase its programmable space and to better organize and store the diverse resources it offers to patrons. The projects will include the installation of much needed storage solutions in the Children’s Loft, freeing up program space and making room for a peaceful reading corner. The Choir Loft, which is currently used for storage, will be converted into a private meeting room available to staff, patrons, and community groups in need of local meeting space. It is with much gratitude for the generous contribution of the Jane & Jack Fitzpatrick Fund and others that the Becket Athenaeum’s Board of Trustees and Staff work to meet the ever evolving needs of the library’s community.
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Berkshire Bounty receives $15,000 Fallon Health grant
Berkshire— Fallon Health today announced it is providing $200,000 in grants to 15 community-based organizations across its Massachusetts service area. The funding will accelerate actions that lead to improved outcomes in two critical focus areas: food and nutrition security and health initiatives that support older adults living independently. Berkshire Bounty received $15,000.
About 80 to 90% of health outcomes are due to social, behavioral, and economic factors. Fallon Health is committed to maintaining health equity as a strategic priority. Its health equity program works to address social drivers of health in which Fallon Health can have the most direct impact.
“We have a responsibility to the communities we serve to enable them as they navigate the complexities of healthcare due to barriers including the social determinants of health,” said Richard Burke, President and CEO of Fallon Health. “The Community Impact Grants will help provide valuable resources at a grass roots level to those who need it most. We applaud our partners for the important work they are doing which is also closely aligned with Fallon Health’s mission.”
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The Nature Conservancy is removing a house in Egremont this week in ongoing effort to “re-wild” natural land
Egremont— Twenty-one years ago, The Nature Conservancy, Egremont Land Trust, and the state Division of Fisheries and Wildlife and the Department of Conservation and Recreation protected 213 acres of forested lands in Mt. Washington and Egremont. The parcel is part of a 36,000-acre intact forest block which includes the headwaters of Karner Brook, an area of critical environmental concern and a public water supply for Egremont residents. The land was ultimately transferred to the Town of Egremont, however, a family house remained on the property until this week.
Part of the purchase agreement was that the Friedman Family, owners of the 1,475-square-foot cabin at 84 Jug End Road, could use the house for 20 years until 2022, after which it would be leased to TNC for demolition.
This week, TNC is demolishing and removing the house, located up a steep half-mile slope, in the interest of restoring the land to its natural state. The unpaved driveway to the house will be used for access to the overall property, and invasive plants in the area will be removed.
Pine boards and cabinetry were salvaged by the Hi-Rock YMCA Camp. The boards will be used in a refurbishment of some of the camp’s cabins in Mt. Washington, Mass. TNC leases land to the camp as well.
“This house, nestled in a large forested and mountainous area in the Southern Berkshires, was fragmenting the forest,” said TNC’s Director of Stewardship Karen Lombard. “It’s our mission to protect and restore ecosystems to protect plant and animal habitats, a conservation goal across the state, the country, and the world.” In 2015, TNC removed another house nearby in Egremont as part of its “re-wilding” and watershed protection efforts.
The Town of Egremont is equally pleased with progress. “This house was located in our critical public watershed area, so we are grateful to The Nature Conservancy for spearheading this work and for both improving habitat and protecting our town water supply,” said David Seligman, Chairman of the Conservation Commission in Egremont, a town with 1,200 residents.
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Greylock Federal partners with MassHousing, expanding financial accessibility
Pittsfield— In support of its mission to enhance financial accessibility, Greylock Federal Credit Union now partners with MassHousing to provide qualified borrowers with down payment assistance, affordable mortgage loans, and affordable refinancing options to help with costly home repairs or renovations.
“Greylock has been focused on helping people realize their dreams of buying their first home for as long as I can remember,” said Tara McCluskey, vice president, mortgage originations manager. “This partnership with MassHousing will enable us to help even more people. Plus, the refinancing options can help people transform their houses into homes where they feel safer and more comfortable.”
MassHousing loans assist those with low-and moderate incomes to purchase a home in Massachusetts. Borrowers must meet income limits and purchase a single-family home, condo or 2-4 family property. In addition to these offerings, MassHousing offers tailored programs for existing homebuyers. Credit and other eligibility requirements also apply. For more information or to apply, please contact Greylock’s mortgage department at 413-236-4125.
