Two Local Businesses To Receive Masscap Small Business Loans

04:07PM / Friday, November 30, 2007Print Story | Email Story

State Senator Benjamin B. Downing (D-Pittsfield) and State Representative William â€œSmittyâ€ Pignatelli (D-Lenox) announced today that the state-subsidized Massachusetts Capital Access Program (Mass CAP) has approved two loans to local businesses totaling $83,000: Personal Best, a personal fitness and training entity in Great Barrington ($68,000); and Michael Sciola, professional accountants and tax preparation, located in Pittsfield ($15,000). â€œThis program helps turn business dreams into reality by providing growing businesses with the resources they need to succeed. Stronger businesses, equals stronger economy and directing our state resources to building our economy is a wise investment,â€ said Downing. Mass CAP, administered by the Massachusetts Business Development Corporation, is a state-subsidized program designed to help small businesses secure business loans through local banks. Using cash collateral guarantees for loans up to $500,000 from a loan loss reserve fund, this program enables banks to make loans they might otherwise not be able to finance. Since the start of the program, participating banks have secured over 3,000 new clients and financed Mass CAP loans totaling over $200 million with an average loan of $50,100. â€œThe backbone of Berkshire County has been with small business and these opportunities are wonderful to increase the economic opportunity here in the Berkshires,â€ said Pignatelli. Mass CAP creates loan options for small businesses that fall short of qualifying for more conventional loans. Loans made through this program may be used for many purposes including start-up and expansion costs; real estate purchases; and permanent working capital to ensure continued profitable operations such as equipment purchases, start-up costs, and real estate acquisitions. Over 50 Massachusetts banks participate in Mass CAP. To view a complete list of participating banks, and to obtain additional information regarding the Capital Access Program and other lending programs please visit: www.mass-business.com.

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Dalton Resident Ranks Third in National Snocross Race

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
06:18PM / Sunday, December 21, 2025

Sal LeBeau on his machine with his sister, Kenna, in the black hat, and friend Brandon and his sister Alea.

DALTON, Mass. — At just 16 years old, Salvatore LaBeau is already making avalanches in the national snocross racing scene.

Last weekend, LaBeau raced in the Mount Zion Snocross National race in Ironwood, Mich., the first of eight races in the national circuit series.

Competitions take place across national circuits, attracting racers from various regions and even internationally.

Labeau rides for CT Motorsports, a team based in Upstate New York, on a 2025 Polaris 600R.

This is LaBeau's first time competing on the CT Motorsports team. Years prior, he raced for a team owned by Bruce Gaspardi, owner of South Side Sales and Service in North Adams.

Despite a bad first day on Friday when he fell off his snowmobile and didn't make the final, LaBeau carried on with confidence and on Saturday obtained his first national podium, placing in third for the Sport Lite class.

"I'm feeling good. I'm gonna start training more when I come home, and go to the gym more. And I am really excited, because I'm in 11th right now," the Wahconah High student said.

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