 BERP Works to Boost Women and Minority-Owned Business Enterprise CertificationsThis 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.  North Berkshire Summer Business PilotThis program, funded through a one-time grant award from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, will support and supplement the establishment of up to 4 pop up businesses between the downtowns in the Town of Adams and the City of North Adams from July through September. 1Berkshire Receives REDO Funds for AreaProjectsAs the Regional Economic Development Organization (REDO) for the Berkshires, 1Berkshire was part of the application process for a variety of collaborative endeavors to help secure capital for a number of endeavors to collectively support the regional economy. 1Berkshire Launches Facade Improvement Micro-Grant ProgramFunded through a one-time grant received by 1Berkshire, at least 30 micro-grants ranging from between $500 and $1,000 will be made available to small for-profit and non-profit businesses and organizations located in downtown business districts across the Berkshires. Tech Impact Collaborative Advances Effort to Grow Digital Economy of the BerkshiresThis collaborative of three organizations, initially formed in 2020, has held over a dozen classes, workshops, webinars and panels through the OLLI platform, engaging more than 1,000 individuals across the Berkshires and beyond.  Berkshire Economic Recovery Program Announces Additional OfferingsIn order to address more demand and specific needs, they announced the addition of 3 new cohorts, with one being offered entirely in Spanish. 1Berkshire Welcomes Youth Leadership ClassThis group of 32 rising high school juniors from across the Berkshires were selected through a competitive application process to begin a year-long leadership development program that kicks off in June 2022 with a three-day, three-night retreat to be held at the newly-renovated Camp Arrow Wood retreat. 1Berkshire Starts Entrepreneurial Material Translation ProjectOver the next few months, 1Berkshire will work with its collaborative partners and fellow entrepreneurial support programs in the Berkshires to pull together the most critical resources to be translated  1Berkshire Announces Staff Promotions, Expansions and Welcomes New Board MembersAlso earlier this year, the organization added five new board members. 1Berkshire, BRPC Launch A Housing Vision for the BerkshiresThe regional strategy, which was developed with the support of a working group comprising housing practitioners from throughout Berkshire County, is intended to lead more intentional efforts to address the current housing crisis.  1Berkshire Extends Youth Leadership Program DeadlineUntil the Feb. 18 deadline, sophomores from any school in the Berkshires, and equivalent-aged home-schooled students, are encouraged to submit an application for the program.  Berkshire Economic Recovery Program Technical Assistance OfferingsThrough a series of seven cohorts across four topical areas in the Fall of 2021, the Berkshire Economic Recovery Program Technical Assistance series was able to support more than 20 businesses through targeted, need-specific offerings, resulting in business improvements, and quantified by the over $200,000 in funding collectively accessed by businesses through their participation.  1Berkshire GoFundU Crowdfunding Essentials SeriesGoFundU is a free, 5-week intensive series of 2 hours per week, focused on providing the background, information, and guidance needed for participants to start, grow, or create resilience for their small business through the use of crowdfunding opportunities. 1Berkshire Launch Youth Leadership Class ApplicationsThe 1Berkshire Youth Leadership Program, open to all current sophomores in the Berkshires, selects a cohort of up to 30 motivated students from all backgrounds for this ten-month experience that will allow them to explore the regional economy and develop their leadership skills.  Berkshire Leadership Program Applications DueApplications are open until Dec. 9.  Berkshire Economic Recovery Project Launches Technical Assistance CohortsWith five experts as technical assistance providers, this initial round of seven cohorts looks to support up to 49 small businesses and organizations over the course of the fall of 2021.  1Berkshire Youth Leadership Program Class of 2021 CommencementHaving completed the entirety of this 10-month leadership program, 31 students shared the products of their collective impact projects with attending family, friends, and regional leaders, and were recognized for their program completion. |
