Kurt Gaertner of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, left, congratulates Patrick and Katie Banks of Foolhardy Hill campground.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — A Charlemont campground Thursday was awarded a $25,000 grant in the Lever/Mohawk Trails Woodland Partnership Entrepreneur Challenge.
Foolhardy Hill, an off-the-grid base camp for outdoor enthusiasts started by Katie and Patrick Banks, was selected from among five finalists by a panel of three judges after making virtual pitches.
"Charlemont is the mecca for outdoor recreation," Katie Banks said in giving the team's presentation. "People come to fish and paddle its waters, hike its mountains and simply enjoy the history and natural beauty of the area. The number of people visiting Charlemont has skyrocketed the last 10 years as a result of the rapid development of tourism activities.
"During this same time period, we have witnessed over nine local restaurants and shops closing their doors. Something's not adding up. Something is missing: local accommodations."
The Banks are hoping to fill that gap by catering to campers who want to stay outdoors and take advantage of the region's kayaking, mountain biking, zip lining and fishing without enduring some of the hassles associated with camping.
"We provide the basic essentials: shelter, cooking supplies, bathroom facilities and potable water," Katie Banks said. "By providing these basics, we're reducing our customers' set-up time. They can roll out their sleeping bag and head over to the community fire and make some new friends."
Foolhardy Hill was selected from among four other tourist-based businesses plus Remote Harvest Sensors, which is marketing a way to collect data about the environmental impact of logging practices.
The other tourism businesses included Charlemont-based Berkshire Bike Tours, which offers lessons and guided mountain and road bike tours in partnership with Berkshire East ski area; the Wigwam Western Summit, which revived an abandoned gem at the eastern gateway to North Adams; and Adventure East, an outdoor and experiential travel company that aims ultimately to help make the region a destination for international tourists.
Adventure East was selected as the first runner-up in a brief awards ceremony led by Kurt Gaertner, of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs in Boston, which funded the grant.
"All of you proposed interesting, creative entrepreneurial ideas -- welcome and needed ways to benefit the Mohawk Trail region," Gaertner said. "I understand all of them made really fantastic pitches as part of this effort. That makes me pleased that all are benefiting from work with Lever, and I wish all of the entrepreneurs well in their endeavors."
As with other Lever challenges, the five finalists worked with the staff of the North Adams non-profit and outside mentors to develop their business plan and prepare for Thursday's pitch competition.
Williamstown's Henry Art, who chairs the Mohawk Trail Woodlands Partnership's Board of Directors, agreed with Gaertner that all of the five finalists could benefit the region.
"I think it shows the wonderful diversity of the use of our natural resources for a combined stewardship, sustainability and economic development all rolled into one, which is really what the Mohawk Trail Woodlands Partnership is all about," Art said.
"My impression is that each of you will have enormously benefited from the process, and the region benefits from the attention you have given to the landscape."
The potential synergies that might be achieved among the four tourism-based businesses came up during a couple of the presentations, and Katie Banks echoed that sentiment in accepting the top prize.
"Being a part of this challenge has been incredible for us," she said. "We kept saying that we're winners all along. This is just the cherry on top for us.
"To all the other participants, we can't wait to see what you guys do, too. It's been great."
During her presentation, Banks said the pair plans to apply the grant money to installation of a solar array and construction of a bathhouse that will enable them to create new camping sites in the spring and generate more revenue.
During a Q&A period with the judges that was part of each business's presentation, the Banks were asked about local competition in the camping space.
"Currently, there are maybe, in terms of proximity, eight or nine different campgrounds, and, on top of that, have motels, hotels and things of that nature," Katie Banks said. "A lot of them … don't go after the specific targeted customer that we're after. They offer a different energy and vibe, so to speak. The best way I can describe it is: You don't put a Chuck E. Cheese and biker bar under one roof and expect everything to be kosher."
Patrick Banks has 17 years of experience in the outdoor recreation industry and 12 years experience working in customer and public service. Katie Banks has over 14 years of experience in hospitality and property management. The campground they created offers 10-by-12 cabins that sleep three to four people and, as of now, one tent site that accommodates six people.
The winning couple met in 2007 as rafting guides on the Deerfield River and have been adventuring ever since, they said.
"We are the secret sauce," Katie Banks said. "Patrick and I are both from the area.
"We know how to connect with our customer because, in many ways, we are our customer."
iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue; please keep comments focused on the issues and not on personalities. Profanity, obscenity, racist language and harassment are not allowed. iBerkshires reserves the right to ban commenters or remove commenting on any article at any time. Concerns may be sent to info@iberkshires.com.
Your Comments
iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.
MCLA Holds First In-Person Commencement in Two Years for Class of 2022
By Brian RhodesiBerkshires Staff
Commissioner of Higher Education Carlos Santiago gives the keynote address in the Amsler Campus Center. See more photos here.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Commissioner of Higher Education Carlos Santiago applauded the new graduates of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts for completing their degrees despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
"At any other time, your achievement would simply be celebrated, which would be the end of it. But this is no ordinary time . . . You have succeeded in your quest amid the most convulsive circumstances that we can remember," Santiago said.
Santiago was the keynote speaker at MCLA's 123rd commencement ceremonies on Saturday, receiving an honorary doctorate in public service. The event marked the first time the college has held festivities in-person in three years. Graduates and family members filled the Amsler Campus Center gymnasium, utilizing the provided fans as the spring temperatures topped 85 degrees.
"When you began your college career and MCLA, the term COVID have never been uttered. When you began your college career, you didn't have to mask up unless you were doing open heart surgery or were planning to rob a bank," he said. "When you began your college career, you could engage in online and remote learning if you wanted to, not because you had to ... This is what you have lived over the past two years; this is what you have overcome to reach your academic goals. I salute you."
Santiago drew several parallels between his time as a student in the 1970s and the struggles students face today. He said it is good to see a positive outlook from many students, despite the difficulties they have faced during the last few years.
Commissioner of Higher Education Carlos Santiago applauded the new graduates of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts for completing their degrees despite the COVID-19 pandemic. click for more
Students from Berkshire Arts & Technology Charter Public School in Adams walked out in the morning with signs and more than 125 Drury High School students left class to gather in front of the school at noon.
click for more
Councilor Jennifer Barbeau submitted a communication to her colleagues expressing concerns brough to her attention by constituents about "council conduct on the floor, on social media and in direct correspondence."
click for more
Its first step is to encourage the middle school students to walk across Cooke Memorial Town Field and up the path to Clarksburg School this May.
click for more