1Berkshire & EforAll Announce New Entrepreneurial Jump-Start Event

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — 1Berkshire and EforAll announced a new entrepreneurial jump-start event to help business startups.
 
The Empower Hour-Plus: Make Your Business Happen! will be held virtually on Thursday, Oct. 29, from 5 to 7 p.m., providing business startups with inspiration and direct tactical guidance.
 
"This is a new approach to encouraging folks to pursue their dreams," Deborah Gallant, EforAll Berkshire County executive director, said. "We hope to truly empower local residents who may have felt the obstacles were too great, to open their own businesses. This quick program will open doors and provide valuable information to get them started."
 
This program, with support from the Pittsfield Economic Redevelopment Corporation (PERC), is limited to 25 participants to ensure individual attention. 
 
Applications are open through Oct. 15. 
 
Each selected applicant will have access to knowledge from key subject-matter experts including those in accounting, marketing/branding, permitting, incorporation and market research. Additionally, those who attend the entire event will earn a $50 micro-grant to help them take the next steps in launching their business. 
 
The program aligns with a portfolio of resources, guidance and opportunities that have come together to support entrepreneurs, startups, and existing businesses across the Berkshires.
 
"We are continually looking for ways to bolster and boost would-be entrepreneurs and startups as a means to continue economic growth in the Berkshires," Benjamin Lamb, 1Berkshire's director of economic development, said. "This program does just that, and helps to set up participants for the next step, and for further support through programs like EforAll Berkshire County."  
 
More information is available on 1Berkshire's event page. Click here to apply.

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Central Berkshire School Officials OK $35M Budget

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — The Central Berkshire Regional School Committee approved a $35 million budget for fiscal 2025 during its meeting on Thursday.
 
Much of the proposed spending plan is similar to what was predicted in the initial and tentative budget presentations, however, the district did work with the Finance subcommittee to further offset the assessments to the towns, Superintendent Leslie Blake-Davis said. 
 
"What you're going see in this budget is a lower average assessment to the towns than what you saw in the other in the tentative budget that was approved," she said. 
 
The fiscal 2025 budget is $35,428,892, a 5.56 percent or $1,867,649, over this year's $33,561,243.
 
"This is using our operating funds, revolving revenue or grant revenue. So what made up the budget for the tentative budget is pretty much the same," Director of Finance and Operations Gregory Boino said.
 
"We're just moving around funds … so, we're using more of the FY25 rural aid funds instead of operating funds next year."
 
Increases the district has in the FY25 operating budget are from active employee health insurance, retiree health insurance, special education out-of-district tuition, temporary bond principal and interest payment, pupil transportation, Berkshire County Retirement contributions, and the federal payroll tax. 
 
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