BCC Receives Grant to Support Certified Manufacturing Program

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PITTSFIELD, Mass — Berkshire Community College (BCC) has received a $4,000 grant from Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation (BTCF) to support the enrollment of 20 students in BCC's Certified Manufacturing Associate Credential program.
 
The virtual training, spanning 4 to 6 weeks, comprises 25 courses taught in English or Spanish. Participants gain an excellent introduction to the field of manufacturing and, in turn, increase their chances of securing entry-level positions. After completion of the coursework, students must pass an exam in order to earn a Certified Manufacturing Associate credential from the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME).
 
"The SME Certified Manufacturing Associate provides great foundational training to help people gain entry into the exciting manufacturing industry in the Berkshires," said Paul Mattingly, BCC Director of Workforce Development: Advanced Manufacturing. "The Berkshire Community College Workforce Development team is excited to partner with the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation to help make this opportunity available to more people."
 
According to the 1Berkshire's "Berkshire Blueprint," the manufacturing industry adds the highest value to the regional economy, with a gross regional product of $917 million. With an aging workforce within the industry, the replacement need will be 45 percent in the next three to five years.
 
"Manufacturing has a venerable tradition in Berkshire County's economy and the sector is growing, with a strong multiplier effect for every new job created," said Peter Taylor, president of Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation. "We hope this grant from our Community Fund will create opportunities for economic mobility and a high quality of life for BCC students as they pursue work in an area with great career prospects."

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Pittsfield CPA Committee Funds Half of FY24 Requests

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A few projects are not getting funded by the Community Preservation Committee because of a tight budget.

The projects not making the cut were in the historic preservation and open space and recreation categories and though they were seen as interesting and valuable projects, the urgency was not prevalent enough for this cycle.

"It's a tough year," Chair Danielle Steinmann said.

The panel made its recommendations on Monday after several meetings of presentations from applications. They will advance to the City Council for final approval.  

Two cemetery projects were scored low by the committee and not funded: A $9,500 request from the city for fencing at the West Part Cemetery as outlined in a preservation plan created in 2021 and a $39,500 request from the St. Joseph Cemetery Commission for tombstone restorations.

"I feel personally that they could be pushed back a year," Elizabeth Herland said. "And I think they're both good projects but they don't have the urgency."

It was also decided that George B. Crane Memorial Center's $73,465 application for the creation of a recreational space would not be funded. Herland said the main reason she scored the project low was because it didn't appear to benefit the larger community as much as other projects do.

There was conversation about not funding The Christian Center's $34,100 request for heating system repairs but the committee ended up voting to give it $21,341 when monies were left over.

The total funding request was more than $1.6 million for FY24 and with a budget of $808,547, only about half could be funded. The panel allocated all of the available monies, breaking down into $107,206 for open space and recreation, $276,341 for historic preservation, and $425,000 for community housing.

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