EforAll Ask The Experts Series

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Entrepreneurship for All (EforAll) Berkshire County is launching an educational workshop series over Zoom targeted to small business owners.  
 
Funded by a Resiliency Grant from Mass Growth Capital Corporation and the Pittsfield Economic Revitalization Corporation (PERC), all programs will be free of charge to participants.
 
"We are so pleased to be able to award this MGCC Resiliency Grant to EforAll Berkshire County," Jay Anderson, the President of PERC said. "Small business owners will be able to connect with top professionals at no cost and address their own critical business needs.  We hope that many EforAll alumni,  minority and immigrant businesses that are vulnerable from the impact of the pandemic will take advantage of this great opportunity."
 
Beginning on Wednesday, Oct. 13 from noon-1:30pm, EforAll will give participants a chance to break into small groups on Zoom to consult with and learn from area professionals.  Attendees can come to any or all of the sessions.  Every week will feature a different topic and different experts as follows:
 
 
Wednesday, Oct. 13:  LAW SESSION
 
Intellectual Property:  Debra Serota, Fish & Richardson
 
Contracts:   Jesse Cook-Dubin, Cohen, Kinne, Valicenti & Cook
 
Corporate Entity Questions:   Jenevra Georgini, Spark + Sterling
 
 
Wednesday, Oct. 20:  ACCOUNTING SESSION
 
Valuation:  Kevin Hines, CPA
 
Tax Issues for Small Businesses:  Raymond McGarrigle, CPA
 
Financial Reports:  Dan Putignano, MS Management
 
 
Wednesday, Oct. 27:  FUNDING, LOANS SESSION
 
Getting a loan from a bank:  Heather King, Greylock Federal Credit Union
 
Sources of capital:  Raymond Lanza-Weil, Common Capital
 
Getting outside investors: Paul Silva, Angel Catalyst
 
 
Wednesday, Nov. 3:  DEALING WITH GOVERNMENT SESSION
 
Registration, permits, regulations:  Nate Joyner, City of Pittsfield 
 
Certification as a Minority/Women owned biz:  Michelle Miller of CWE
 
Complying with employment laws:  Carletta Hill, EforAll
 
 
Wednesday, Nov. 10:  MARKETING
 
Websites that sell:  Roger Matus
 
Social Media:  Kaitlyn Pierce, Pierce Social
 
Finding new customers creatively:  Karen Hines, BCC
 
 
Wednesday, Nov. 17:  OPERATIONS
 
Human Resources/Hiring:  Jason Valenti
 
Creating systems, operational manuals:  John Schnyder, Organization Ink
 
Renting a space, buying equipment:  Kathie Penna, Milltown
 
 
At the conclusion, an in-person lunch and networking event for panelists and participants is planned at the Berkshire Innovation Center, 45 Woodlawn Avenue in Pittsfield.
 
Registration for any or all of the weeks can be completed online at http://bit.ly/EFAaskexperts

Tags: entrepreneurs,   

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MassDOT Project Will Affect Traffic Near BMC

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Prepare for traffic impacts around Berkshire Medical Center through May for a state Department of Transportation project to improve situations and intersections on North Street and First Street.

Because of this, traffic will be reduced to one lane of travel on First Street (U.S. Route 7) and North Street between Burbank Street and Abbott Street from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday through at least May 6.

BMC and Medical Arts Complex parking areas remain open and detours may be in place at certain times. The city will provide additional updates on changes to traffic patterns in the area as construction progresses.

The project has been a few years in the making, with a public hearing dating back to 2021. It aims to increase safety for all modes of transportation and improve intersection operation.

It consists of intersection widening and signalization improvements at First and Tyler streets, the conversion of North Street between Tyler and Stoddard Avenue to serve one-way southbound traffic only, intersection improvements at Charles Street and North Street, intersection improvements at Springside Avenue and North Street, and the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of First Street, North Street, Stoddard Avenue, and the Berkshire Medical Center entrance.

Work also includes the construction of 5-foot bike lanes and 5-foot sidewalks with ADA-compliant curb ramps.  

Last year, the City Council approved multiple orders for the state project: five orders of takings for intersection and signal improvements at First Street and North Street. 

The total amount identified for permanent and temporary takings is $397,200, with $200,000 allocated by the council and the additional monies coming from carryover Chapter 90 funding. The state Transportation Improvement Plan is paying for the project and the city is responsible for 20 percent of the design cost and rights-of-way takings.

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