CDCSB Launches Small Business Economic Development Revitalization Program

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GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The Community Development Corporation of South Berkshire (CDCSB) is now offering technical assistance free of charge to small businesses throughout the Berkshire region.
 
This program was made possible by a grant awarded to the CDCSB by Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The grant funds will enable CDCSB to provide small businesses, at various stages of development, customized, one-on-one professional business consultation.
 
"This is a truly outstanding opportunity for the CDCSB to directly support small businesses seeking to pivot during the COVID-19 crisis," said CDCSB Executive Director Allison Marchese. 
 
Since launching the new program in January, the CDCSB has helped a local food service business, a Main Street retail shop, and several personal service businesses.
 
"Along with being the leader in providing affordable homes in the southern Berkshires, the CDCSB's mission is fully focused on creating economic development opportunity and jobs," said Marchese. "Small business technical assistance is one of many initiatives we have planned to strengthen the Berkshire economy."
 
The Small Business Technical Assistance program allows the CDCSB to assist area businesses at various stages of development, from pre-start up to existing businesses planning for growth. Consultations are customized to each business's needs and can range from building business skills, identifying new customers or creating a pathway to financing. The program is open to all small businesses in the Berkshires with special consideration for minority and women-owned businesses.
 
This opportunity is available to small businesses through June 30, 2021. Small businesses in the Berkshires can apply at http://bit.ly/sbtaform.
 
For more information about the program or questions contact Emmalyn Gaertner at emmalyn@cdcsb.org.

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Pittsfield's Crosby/Conte Proposal Nearing Designer Selection

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The proposal to rebuild Crosby Elementary School and Conte Community School as a combined facility on West Street is advancing to design.  

On Tuesday, the School Building Needs Commission approved a draft request for services for the Crosby/Conte project and created a designer selection committee to guide the next actions.  The Pittsfield Public Schools are seeking up to 80 percent reimbursement from the Massachusetts School Building Authority for the build. 

Skanska USA Building Inc. was approved as the owner's project manager in early April.  An OPM is a hired consultant who oversees a construction or design project in the owner's interest. 

The next step is to select a designer for the new building; a draft request for services is due to the MSBA by May 14. Applications are due to the district on July 1 and to MSBA by July 9, to be reviewed on July 28. 

"My hope is that we can move the process as quickly as possible, meeting the first deadlines that become available," Interim Superintendent Latifah Phillips said. 

The commission appointed seven members to the designer selection committee, including a superintendent's designee, Mayor Peter Marchetti, and co-Chair Frank LaRagione. They will review proposals, about 6-10 are expected, and interview the top three designers. 

School officials in 2024 toured the 69,500-square-foot Silvio O. Conte Community School, which opened in 1974, and the 69,800-square-foot John C. Crosby Elementary School, which opened in 1962. At Conte, they saw an open concept community school that is not conducive to modern-day needs, and at Crosby, they saw a facility that was built as a middle school and in need of significant repair. 

Last month, a statement of interest for repairs to Pittsfield High School was approved. 

Priority areas identified for an SOI to the MSBA Core Program are for the replacement, renovation, or modernization of the heating system to increase energy conservation and decrease energy-related costs, and replacement or addition to obsolete buildings to provide a full range of programs consistent with state and local requirements. 

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