Berkshire Economic Recovery Project Launches Technical Assistance Cohorts

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — 1Berkshire, in partnership with Berkshire Regional Planning Commission and with support from the United States Economic Development Administration announced the launch and the opening of registration for its first round of small business and organization technical assistance cohorts.
 
With five experts as technical assistance providers, this initial round of seven cohorts looks to support up to 49 small businesses and organizations over the course of the fall of 2021. Each individual cohort will be limited to seven participating businesses/organizations and will kick off with a required two-hour workshop. 
 
Following the workshop, participants in each cohort will be given materials to complete before then receiving up to two hours of additional free one-on-one technical assistance from our expert resource providers. 
 
Cohorts being provided for Fall 2021 include:
  • Starting Oct. 6 - Get Ready to Get Funded, with Robin Helfand
  • Starting Oct. 13 - Employee Engagement & Retention, with Karen Carswell & Lucy Steinert
  • Starting Oct. 20 - Essentials of Digital Marketing, with Francesca Olsen
  • Starting Oct. 28 - Don't Just Stand Up, Stand Out! with Carolyn Blitz *non-profits only*
  • Starting Nov. 4 - Get Ready to Get Funded, with Robin Helfand
  • Starting Nov. 10 - Employee Engagement & Retention, with Karen Carswell & Lucy Steinert
  • Starting Dec. 1 - Essentials of Digital Marketing, with Francesca Olsen
These technical assistance workshops are completely free to participating businesses and organizations, but registration is considered a commitment to fully participate in the entirety of the process, from kick-off, to independent prep work, to direct technical assistance and follow-up assessment. 
 
To register for one of the cohorts, small businesses and non-profit organizations in the Berkshires should go to 1berkshire.com/berkshire-economic-recovery-project-technical-assistance-program.
 
As part of the Berkshire Economic Recovery Project, this is the first of a multiple series of technical assistance cohorts that will be conducted over the next 18 months. Ben Lamb, 1Berkshire Director of Economic Development notes, 
 
"This is a benchmark moment when we are able to launch an entirely new set of resources to support businesses and organizations in a way they have directly told us they need," said Ben Lamb, 1Berkshire Director of Economic Development. "We are fortunate to have such a tremendous array of technical assistance providers committing to this project, and look forward to seeing the impact their expertise will have."
 
Registration will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis and is open immediately for all cohort sections. Once filled, registration will cease; however, interested individuals may request to be added to a waitlist. For additional information please contact the 1Berkshire Economic Development team at economicdev@1berkshire.com

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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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