Berkshire Enterprises today announced plans to hold an eight week training program

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Berkshire Enterprises today announced plans to hold an eight week training program to help unemployed workers start their own businesses. The eight week training program will be held at Berkshire Community College on Mondays from 9:00AM to 12:30PM starting on February 2nd. The program includes instruction, discussions, and presentations on all the basics needed to turn a business idea into a business plan.

Participants must be dislocated through no fault of their own. They must have a business idea which uses their skills and interests. They must fill out an application. Participants will be chosen based on the number of applicants and the perceived ability of Berkshire Enterprises staff to assist in the successful start of the business.

This program is being taught and run by volunteers. Program Director Steve Fogel said, “Berkshire Enterprises was created nearly 20 years ago to provide entrepreneurial training to displaced workers. Since that time, we have trained nearly 1,000 displaced workers who have started over 600 businesses. We lost the funding to provide this training in the summer of 1997. We feel that the training is needed now more than ever. Therefore, we are volunteering our time to provide a slimmed down version of the training to help displaced workers find means of regaining control over their lives, start businesses, and employ themselves and others. People who are interested in applying for this program or having questions should email Berkshire Enterprises today at sfogel@berkshireenterprises.com or call 413-441-3688. Space is limited.”

Berkshire Enterprises is a program of the Office for Workforce Development at Berkshire Community College. The Berkshire Enterprises Training Program provides the tools that people need to write a business plan to start a business. The program is only open to unemployed workers. Others interested in starting a business and those who can not attend the program on Mondays should email Steve Fogel about other options.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Multiple Departments Respond to Lanesborough Structure Fire

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Multiple fire departments responded to a structure fire off Narragansett Avenue on Wednesday afternoon. 

The Fire Department received a call from the owner of 6 Bangor St. reporting a smoke and flames at around 1:44 p.m.

Firefighters arriving on scene reported heavy smoke emanating from the the 1940s single-family ranch home in the thickly settle neighborhood.

The blaze was brought under control in less than an hour and there were no civilian or firefighter injuries. 

"The homeowner was outside doing some work, evidently, opened the door when she came back in the house, and there were flames and smoke, so she backed out and called us, and that's all we know right now," Deputy Fire Chief Glen Storie said around 2:35 p.m. 

The fire was out at that time, and first responders observed "quite a bit of damage" to the home. The cause is still under investigation. 

Lanesborough, Cheshire, and Pittsfield departments responded to the scene, and Hancock covered the station during the call. 

"The first crew in knocked the fire right down with the first engine," Storie said. 

Smoke could be seen coming from the back of the home. Part of Narragansett Avenue and Bangor Avenue were blocked off while firefighters battled the blaze. 

 

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