Business Briefs: Co-op looks for investment loans; RSYP pop-up fundraiser; Marzotto named Community Bank Hero; Shred Day at Salisbury Bank; Columbia Agricultural Society scholarships

Berkshire Co-op Market expansion campaign

Great Barrington — Berkshire Co-op Market is accepting investment loans from its Massachusetts and New York resident owners and has launched a campaign to raise $1.3 million to help fund the expansion of its store, set to break ground later this year. The minimum loan investment amount is $1,000; interest rates are 3 percent and 5 percent; and the terms are from five to seven years. To date, the Co-op has raised $400,000.

As of April 30, 2016, the Co-op had 3,048 owners. In addition to providing capital through owner equity, purchases and owner loans, Berkshire Co-op Market owners are responsible for voting on bylaws and electing a board of directors from among the ownership to lead the organization. When the store expanded and moved to its current location, owner loans funded about 37 percent of the project.

For more information on the Berkshire Co-op Market expansion and the owner loan program, contact the Co-op’s general manager Dan Esko at (413) 591-8338 or campaign@berkshire.coop.

–E.E. 

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Railroad Street Youth Project, Mulberry Hair Company partner for fundraiser

Great Barrington — Mulberry Hair Company will host a pop-up market to benefit Railroad Street Youth Project on Thursday, May 18, from 5 to 8 p.m. The fundraiser will feature the sale of specialty goods by local clothing, jewelry, crafts and home designers including Daniel Bellow, Shari Kline of Traditions Linens, Community Access to the Arts, Julia Baier, Saskia Larraz, Lineflax and Roving, and Sam Backhaus. Food and beverages will be provided by the Berkshire Co-op Market, Sprout Brothers and Plaza Package Store. Twenty percent of all proceeds will go to RSYP. For more information, contact RSYP at (413) 528-2475 or info@rsyp.org.

–E.E.

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Lee Bank’s Marzotto named Community Bank Hero

Lee — Lee Bank has announced that Bruce J. Marzotto, senior vice president of commercial lending, has been named a Community Bank Hero by the Warren Group and Banker & Tradesman. The Community Bank Heroes awards honor the achievements, commitment and dedication of financial professionals who go above and beyond for their institution and community. Award recipients are nominated by their peers and selected by Banker & Tradesman’s editorial board. The awards will be distributed at a dinner event on Tuesday, May 23, at the Hyatt Regency Boston. Recipients will be featured in the Monday, May 22, issue of Banker & Tradesman.

Marzotto has worked with Lee Bank for 10 years and in banking in Berkshire County for 40 years. After receiving his associate’s degree at Berkshire Community College, he continued his education through banking courses with the American Institute of Banking as well as the New England School of Banking at Williams College. As former treasurer of the Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce, Great Barrington Little League and the Boy Scouts of America Troop 23, Marzotto is continuing his community involvement as a trustee of the newly organized Great Barrington Municipal Affordable Housing Trust. He lives in Great Barrington with his wife, Judy, and sons Mark and Kevin.

–E.E.

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Salisbury Bank to hold Shred Day

Sheffield — Salisbury Bank and Trust Company will hold a free Community Shred Day on Saturday, May 20, from 9 a.m. to noon at its Sheffield location. Each participant may bring up to four boxes of paper (paper only; no binders) for shredding.

Salisbury Bank offers Shred Day to help in the fight against identity theft. All shredded paper will be recycled. For more information, call Salisbury Bank at (413) 229-5000.

–E.E.

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Columbia County Agricultural Society launches college scholarship program

Chatham, N.Y. — The Columbia County Agricultural Society has launched a college scholarship program for students pursuing a field of study related to agriculture.

Two $1,000 merit scholarships will be awarded to two students who have been active in the Columbia County Fair as exhibitors, presenters, volunteers or in other capacities. Applicants must be completing 12^th grade at any Columbia County high school in 2017 and must be enrolled as full-time students at accredited two- or four-year colleges starting in the fall as well as pursuing a field of study related to agriculture.

A downloadable application is available online and must be submitted by Tuesday, Aug. 1, in hard-copy form to the Columbia County Fair Office, 32 Church St., P.O. Box 257, Chatham NY 12037.

–E.E.