Pittsfield Accepts Grant For Food, Art Project in Morningside
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A $75,000 grant is aimed to pave the way for more art, healthy eating, and starting food businesses in the Morningside neighborhood.
The City Council on Tuesday night accepted the grant from The Kresge Foundation that will be used to hire a part-time manager to craft plans to help entrepreneurs start food-based businesses, create murals and other public art projects, and promote community gardening and healthy eating. Future grants will be sought implement the initiative.
"The grant is to be used in a specific neighborhood for food-oriented placement," said Megan Whilden, who headed a steering committee for the project.
Whilden said the group heading the effort consists of Tyler Street Business Group, Alchemy Initiative, Berkshire Children & Families, Shire City Sanctuary, Berkshire Health Systems, the Downtown Pittsfield Farmers Market, the city of Pittsfield and others. Whilden wrote the grant as a volunteer and it was submitted by the city.
The foundation's focus is to use food and art as drivers of revitalization, especially in low-income neighborhoods. The foundation awarded some $2 million in grants for the program, "Fresh, Local & Equitable: Food as a Creative Platform for Neighborhood Revitalization." Pittsfield was one of 26 nationally to receive funding.
The aspects include starting a training program for those looking to start food trucks or catering businesses. Whilden said the focus is primarily on the immigrant population and promoting an array of food options. She added that planning will also include talking to local banks for loan programs for new businesses.
"To start a restaurant is a huge endeavor but starting out as a caterer or selling at festivals or a food truck is a way to start out," Whilden said.
Another aspect includes beautifying the neighborhood through murals and public arts. Finally, the last portion of the project would be to promote healthy living through the bolstering of community gardens. There are two community gardens in the Morningside neighborhood and seven citywide, according to Director of Community Development Janis Akerstrom.
The Kresge Foundation was formed in 1924 in Detroit by Sebastian Spering Kresge with an initial gift of $1.6 million. It has grown to $3.6 billion and is focused on promoting art, culture, education, environment, health and human services. It takes a multipronged approach toward helping low-income communities across the nation.
In other business, the City Council set the date of the state primary election for Thursday, Sept. 8; approved a transfer of $52,000 to cover a deficit in the Veteran Services budget, and approved entering a lease agreement with Downing Parkway Solar LLC, a subsidiary of Arneresco, for a solar array at the landfill.
The City Council had no discussion on the last three items. The meeting concluded in just 45 minutes, with the majority of the discussion centering on setting up meetings with financial advisers prior to the crafting of next year's budget.
Tags: cultural grants, Morningside,
