1Berkshire GoFundU Crowdfunding Essentials Series

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PITTSFIELD, Mass.— 1Berkshire, in partnership with the Berkshire Innovation Center, and with the financial support of Pittsfield Economic Revitalization Corporation (PERC) and Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC), announced the launch of a brand new workshop series, GoFundU.
 
GoFundU is a free, 5-week intensive series of 2 hours per week, focused on providing the background, information, and guidance needed for participants to start, grow, or create resilience for their small business through the use of crowdfunding opportunities. 
 
"This is an exciting new offering that helps familiarize new and existing businesses with the growing potential of crowdfunding, while also providing the direct tangible assistance to bring their aspirations to reality," Ben Lamb, 1Berkshire Director of Economic Development said. 
 
This series aims to pair well with emergent funding options like the Biz-M-Power program launched by MGCC in 2021, while also offering general guidance and technical assistance to support efforts across multiple crowdfunding platforms.
 
Participants in the series who attend at least 3 out of the 5 weeks of workshops may be eligible for up to two hours of free one-on-one technical assistance support (a $350 value) to help them develop, build, and/or launch their own crowdfunding campaigns. 
 
Registration for each session is required. Sessions are planned to be held in a hybrid format, and attendees may choose between in-person attendance happening at the Berkshire Innovation Center, and remote participation via Zoom.
 
To learn more about the series, and to register for individual sessions, please visit: https://1berkshire.com/1berkshire-programs/gofundu/

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Pittsfield Firefighters Knock Down Morningside Blaze

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Fire Department knocked down a two-alarm blaze in the Morningside neighborhood in less than an hour on Friday. 

Just before 3 p.m., the department received a report of a fire at 25 Pine St. Deputy Fire Chief Daniel Garner said he arrived at the scene first and saw heavy fire showing from the rear of the more than 100-year-old home. 

"We just went to work, pretty much," he explained. 

"Because of the heavy volume of fire and the potential for a high number of occupants, I called a double alarm, which called all available Pittsfield firefighters directly to the scene. And I would say the fire was knocked down and under control within an hour." 

Eight occupants were evacuating the home when firefighters arrived, and there were no civilian or firefighter injuries. People, including the occupants, stood on the sidewalk and watched the scene unfold. 

When iBerkshires arrived, firefighters were on the ladder, extinguishing the top level of the home from the side and rear.  

There were five fire engines and one ladder truck. Hinsdale also came to assist, and Lenox and Dalton were called for standby. 

Garner believes the building is salvageable and repairable, but recognized that the family won't be able to stay there tonight. An extended family appears to live in the home. 

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined; the Fire Investigation Division was on site. The Red Cross will provide assistance to the residents of the home. 

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