Mission Hill Hospitality Acquires Courtyard by Marriot Lenox and Hampton Inn & Suites Berkshires-Lenox
LENOX—Mission Hill Hospitality of Denver has acquired two hotels in Lenox: the Courtyard by Marriot Lenox and Hampton Inn & Suites Berkshires-Lenox.
“The Berkshires are a top drive-to-leisure destination in New England, filled with a rich history and an abundance of attractions bringing in tourists to Lenox year-round,” said Mike Wilbert, Managing Director, Mission Hill Hospitality. “We are excited about the continued growth of our portfolio as we further expand into New England with these two assets.”
The 92-key Courtyard by Marriot Lenox was opened in 2017 and features a décor inspired by the serene setting. Situated on over 6.5 acres, The Courtyard Lenox features The Bistro, which includes breakfast and all-day Starbucks coffee service. Other amenities include an outdoor fire pit, picnic and barbeque area, an indoor swimming pool and whirlpool, upgraded complimentary Wi-Fi, fitness center, business center, a 1,394 sq. ft. meeting space, and an electric car charging station.
The 79-key Hampton Inn & Suites Berkshires-Lenox offers guests a mix of King Spa, King, Queen rooms and King studio suites, including accessible, connecting, and pet-friendly rooms. Guests enjoy complimentary breakfast, an indoor pool, fitness center, business center, and 912 sq. ft. of event space.
Mission Hill Hospitality, a KSL Capital Partners portfolio company, was created to invest in the select service and extended stay hotel sector. The Denver-based firm focuses on value-add and development projects that present significant opportunity given market and economic conditions.
Mission Hill Hospitality brings together a dedicated team of investment professionals with decades of extensive experience in lodging across product types and provides a wide range of expertise across functions including operations, asset management, acquisitions, development, and capital markets. For more information visit http://missionhillhospitality.com.
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BIPOC vendor fund launches at Pittsfield Farmers Market
PITTSFIELD— Roots Rising and the Berkshire Black Economic Council are partnering to launch the BIPOC Vendor Fund at the Pittsfield Farmers Market. The fund will support BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) farmers and entrepreneurs, and is funded thanks to the support of Greylock Federal Credit Union.
For some, the cost of getting a business off the ground plus the cost of vending at markets is too large of a burden. The BIPOC Vendor Fund aims to reduce the barrier to participation at the Pittsfield Farmers Market, by waiving the vendor booth fee and providing additional financial support for business start-up costs, such as supplies, permits, and business development. In that way, the Pittsfield Farmers Market will be more accessible, more equitable, and better reflective of our community.
As a pilot program this season, the award will provide a half season booth fee ($300) plus a maximum of $500 towards supplies, permits, or business development. A limited number of awards are available, and the maximum grant award is $800. Individuals can learn more and apply at farmersmarketpittsfield.org/bipocvendorfund.
“Through this fund, Roots Rising recognizes that there are institutional barriers that farmers of color have endured for centuries, ”said Jess Vecchia and Jamie Samowitz, Co-Directors of Roots Rising, a food- and farming-based youth empowerment program which runs the Pittsfield Farmers Market. “From discriminatory practices at the USDA to unequal access to credit, land and resources due to systemic racism, we know that the tools required to build a fair livelihood and generate wealth are not equally available to all members of our community. As such, this fund is meant to be a concrete step towards remedying that injustice by expanding access to sales channels for BIPOC farmers and entrepreneurs,”
Roots Rising partnered with the Berkshire Black Economic Council (BBEC) to pilot this program. BBEC’s objective is to foster Black businesses and introduce policies to spur economic development in the Berkshires and the Commonwealth. Learn more about BBECat www.berkshirebec.org and learn more about Roots Rising at www.rootsrising.org.
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MassHire Berkshire Workforce Board announces $500K grant for nursing assistant training programs
PITTSFIELD– MassHire Berkshire Workforce Board is pleased to announce that they have received $500,000 to run nursing assistant training programs for the next two years. This project is funded by a Senator Kenneth J. Donnelly Workforce Success Grant.
“Donnelly Grants support regional partnerships between businesses, community-based organizations, workforce development organizations, and educational institutions to prepare Massachusetts residents for occupations in high demand fields,” said Governor Charlie Baker.
The Berkshire Nursing Assistant program proposes to directly address the needs of our healthcare industry via intensive outreach, recruitment, education and training efforts to develop 190 Nursing Assistants throughout the 2-year grant. The program is formed by a partnership between the Berkshire Workforce Board, Berkshire Health Systems, Berkshire Healthcare Systems, and MassHire Berkshire Career Center
The partnership looks to expand a modified nursing assistant program, as well as an online Certified Nursing Assistant program with weekly support services to address a growing and persistent problem of nursing assistant shortages. The trainings and services will be free-of-charge for participants, and strong support services will be provided by MassHire. The training will be geared towards un/under employed Massachusetts residents and will begin in September 2022.
Darlene Rodowicz, President & CEO of Berkshire Health Systems of Berkshire Health Systems, one of the grants educational partners who will be providing the daytime program, stressed the importance of nursing assistants and the career pathway that it opens up. “Nursing assistants play a vital role in the care of our patients. They are essential to providing high-quality care. Many NAs dedicate their entire career to this direct care role, while others enter the healthcare workforce as NAs and move into other equally rewarding healthcare occupations.”
Here in the Berkshires, the healthcare industry is our largest employer, and the need for dedicated workers is growing. The Berkshire Nursing Assistant program hopes to bring more skilled workers into the workforce and provide an opportunity for growth to our community members.
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Berkshire Economic Recovery Program announces fall 2022 Technical Assistance offerings
BERKSHIRE COUNTRY– 1Berkshire, in partnership with Berkshire Regional Planning Commission and with support from the United States Economic Development Administration, is excited to announce the third slate of technical assistance offerings of the Berkshire Economic Recovery Program (BERP).
Through a highly-successful series of 14 cohorts across four topical areas in the Fall of 2021 and Spring of 2022, the Berkshire Economic Recovery Program Technical Assistance series was able to support more than 50 businesses through targeted, need-specific offerings. The series resulted in notable business improvements and over $500,000 in funding collectively accessed by businesses through their participation.
Going into the Fall of 2022, the series continues with returning and new offerings including “It’s Time to Stop Running Your Business by the Seat of Your Pants”, “Jumpstarting Your Crowdfunding Campaign”, “Beginning Your Woman and Minority Owned Business Certification Process” as well as two cohorts offered fully in Spanish including “Branding Para Emprendedores” and “Estrategia De Marca Vs Logo.”
Participants in each topical cohort will join a scheduled kickoff workshop with the technical assistance provider. Upon completion of the workshop, each participant will be provided up to two hours of free one-on-one technical assistance from the consultant leading the workshop.
The BERP Technical Assistance series is FREE, and offered to any business in the Berkshires. Each cohort has a capacity of 9 participating businesses, so space is limited and registration is required. For a list of Fall 2022 technical assistance offerings and to register, please visit https://1berkshire.com/1berkshire-programs/berkshire-economic-recovery-project-technical-assistance-program/
For more information, or for additional inquiries, please contact the 1Berkshire Economic Development Team at EconomicDev@1berkshire.com.
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Berkshire Community College celebrates ‘40 Under Forty’ award winners
PITTSFIELD– Berkshire Community College (BCC) will hold its annual 40 Under Forty awards celebration on Thursday, September 15 from 5:30-8:00 p.m. on the BCC Main Campus in the new One Stop Enrollment Center. Tickets are $65 and are available at www.berkshirecc.edu/40underforty.
40 Under Forty honors talented professionals in the Berkshires who have shown their support for the region through leadership, community service and a deep dedication to improving the quality of life for those living and working in the community.
Nick Delmolino, Executive Director of Advancement, said he is thrilled to participate in his first 40 Under Forty awards celebration. “The BCC Foundation is honored to recognize and celebrate the commitment and accomplishments of this year’s 40 Under Forty cohort. Hosting this event in the new One Stop Enrollment Center on campus — the first event ever to be held in this brand new, multi-million-dollar renovated space — will make the evening even more exciting.”
The winners of the 2022 40 Under Forty awards are:
- Leslie Appleget, North Adams Public Schools
- Erica Barreto, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
- Ashley Benson, Optimal Healing, LLC
- Meg Bossong, Williams College
- Laila Boucher, Adams Community Bank
- Tim Butterworth, Berkshire Innovation Center
- Marcus Coleman, Raymond James Financial Services
- Noah Cook-Dubin, KANOA Consulting
- Michelle Decepida, General Dynamics Mission Systems
- Mike Dell’Aquila, Hot Plate Brewing Co.
- Lindsay DiCicco, The Department of Children and Families
- Ian Downey, Motorhead Media
- Auric Enchill, Elegant Stitches, Inc.
- Emily Gabriel, Mill Town Capital
- Carly Gaherty, William Stickney Pittsfield Adult Learning Center
- Caroline Holland, Mill Town Capital
- Aaron Johnson, Boxxa Vine
- Patrick Kavey, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, Barnbrook Realty and the City of Pittsfield
- Lee Kohlenberger Jr., Berkshire Dogs Unleashed, Berkshire Poodles and Berkshire Comfort Dogs
- Michelle Lopez, Berkshire Immigrant Center
- Justin McKennon, Electro Magnetic Applications, Inc.
- Joshua Meczywor, McCann Technical School
- Erin Milne, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
- Michael Mongeon, KJ Nosh Catering Company
- Stephen Murray, Boston Medical Center
- Kelan O’Brien, Williams College
- Ben O’Shaughnessy, Sunshine Group, P.M. LLC
- Kevin Pink, 1Berkshire
- Dan Sadlowski, AWE-MAZING Books; Pittsfield Public Schools
- Justin Scaduto, General Dynamics Mission Systems
- Corey Stall, Schellman
- Kat Toomey, MassHire Berkshire Workforce Board
- Stephanie VanBramer, Crosby Elementary, Pittsfield Public Schools
- Jennifer Vrabel, Berkshire Health Systems
- Candace Wall, 413 Theraworks, LLC
- Chris Watford, Community Access to the Arts (CATA)
- Niko White, Purple Dragon Games
- Maryrose Williams, Berkshire Community College
- Kristin Winsett, Berkshire Community College
- Leonid Yantovsky, Berkshire Bank
Applications for the 2023 cohort will open in fall 2022. For more information, contact the Office of Advancement at (413) 236-2185 or 40under40@berkshirecc.edu.
