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

08:00AM / Saturday, July 09, 2022Print Story | Email Story

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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Pittsfield Eyes OPM for Crosby/Conte, Seeks Funds for PHS

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
01:43PM / Monday, March 09, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city plans to hire an owner's project manager for the Crosby/Conte proposal this week and pursue additional school construction funds from the MSBA.

The School Building Needs Commission last week voted to move forward with a statement of interest to the Massachusetts School Building Authority seeking funds to renovate Pittsfield High School.

Interim Superintendent Latifah Philips reported that the MSBA's core program statement of interest filing period is open until April 17, if the commission would like to consider it for renovations to PHS. According to MSBA's website, the core program is intended for new construction, addition, and/or renovation projects.

Members recognized that it is a tight schedule to put together an SOI, but agreed it is best to try.

Pittsfield is seeking up to 80 percent reimbursement from the MSBA to rebuild and consolidate John C. Crosby Elementary and Silvio O. Conte Community School on the Crosby property.

The MSBA has invited the district to a feasibility study phase, and a selection committee is working to bring forward applicants for an owner's project manager. This hired consultant oversees a construction or design project in the owner's interest.

Owner's project manager proposals were due on Feb. 18, and Pittsfield received nine proposals. Last Monday, the OPM search committee finalized three selections for public interviews, which were to be held on Friday at City Hall; the selection package is due to the MSBA by March 11.

During last week's School Committee meeting, Phillips said the district is on track to submit for consideration on April 6.