BERP Works to Boost Women and Minority-Owned Business Enterprise Certifications

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PITTSFIELD, Mass—The Berkshire Economic Recovery Project announced the launch of its women- and minority-owned business enterprise (W/MBE) module in an effort to Boost Women and Minority-Owned Business Enterprise Certifications.
 
This training module, available in both English and Spanish, provides a high-level overview of what it means to be a certified woman and/or minority-owned business enterprise, and how such a certification can help support the small businesses here in the Berkshires.
 
In addition to the short overview training modules, interested businesses will also find a direct link to schedule a free intake consultation with the Economic Development team at 1Berkshire. 
 
These consultations will allow 1Berkshire to make direct referrals to technical assistance support to help guide interested women- and minority-owned businesses through the certification process. 
 
The Berkshire Economic Recovery Project is a program of 1Berkshire and Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, with funding from the United States Economic Development Administration. 
 
Businesses and business owners are invited to visit the W/MBE module page for more information and to view the recordings. 

Tags: 1Berkshire,   BRPC,   

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Parks Commission OKs Wahconah Park Event, Clapp Park Dugouts

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Baseball dugouts are planned for Clapp Park, and in April, the community will have one last look inside the historic Wahconah Park grandstand before it is demolished. 

On Tuesday, the Parks Commission approved a "Farewell to the Grandstand at Wahconah Park" event to be held on April 11 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. 

Recreation and Special Events Coordinator Jennifer VanBramer explained that the event will allow the community to see the more than 100-year-old structure before it comes down later in the spring. 

"Attendees will be able to go up to the top of the ramp to get a look into the grandstand for one last chance and quick photo op, but they can't get any further due to safety concerns," she explained. 

The property at 105 Wahconah St. has drawn attention for several years after the grandstand was deemed unsafe in 2022. Planners have determined that starting from square one is the best option; a $15 million rebuild is on the table. 

There will be speeches from city officials and Baseball in the Berkshire Director Larry Moore, a slideshow with old photographs and memories shared from the community, a table with renderings of the new grandstand, a memory table, and a story booth where short interviews can be recorded. 

"Ernie the Hot Dog Guy" is also confirmed as a food vendor. 

"We're looking forward to great weather, and unfortunately, we won't be able to get everyone fully into the grandstand, but certainly we'll be able to have folks view the grandstand from the safe areas of the grandstand," Parks, Open Space, and Natural Resources Manager James McGrath explained. 

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