MassHire Appoints Alcombright as 'Business Market Maker'

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Richard Alcombright
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — MassHire Berkshire has tapped a former mayor, Richard Alcombright, as its "business market maker."
 
The market maker position was created through the Baker-Polito administration's Partnership for Recovery Plan announced in October 2020. 
 
The plan was made to support the recovery in several ways. One of them was to fund market maker positions that would support employer engagement activities aligning with Career Technical Initiative grants and other workforce skills needs and opportunities.
 
"In his role, Dick will travel the county to begin and, in some cases continue, conversations around such things as the overall health of the business, employment levels, hiring, recruitment and retention, training needs and the economic landscape as it pertains specifically to that business," said Heather Boulger, MassHire's executive director. "His background and knowledge of the region's business community position him well to engage at this level."
 
Alcombright, recently retired after 40 years with MountainOne Bank, has had experience working with and providing solutions for business customers. Additionally, as mayor of the city of North Adams for eight years, he fostered growth and development working with businesses on permitting, tax incentive programs and navigation of government processes. 
 
He is currently president of Berkshire Community Action Council, a trustee of Berkshire Health Systems, and a member of the North Adams School Committee, and serves several groups locally and statewide that provide solutions for folks and families suffering from substance use disorder.
 
"This is an exciting opportunity for me and a critical time for our Berkshire business community," Alcombright said. "While I will have specific questions that will round out my fact-finding, my role is to really listen, leave with an understanding of their needs, and then work with the good folks at MassHire to help them and their partners provide workforce solutions."
 
MassHire Berkshire, a branch of the state's workforce development system, meets the employment needs of businesses and workers by supporting partnerships with industry, education and workforce organizations.

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Friday Front Porch Feature: Allendale Pines North

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Are you looking for an inexpensive home to raise your family in? Then this might be the home for you. And if not, there's a couple other options.

Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week we are showcasing model homes at Allendale Pines North.

Teton Management is opening its new manufactured housing development next Allendale Pines at 395 Cheshire Road, and has three different model homes to choose from.

The Monroe with a full porch and with a half-porch, and The Aspire are available to move into in March. 

All the models have three bedrooms and two baths in 1,280 square feet, and include two parking spaces. The Monroe full-porch is on the market for $194,900, Monroe half-porch $189,900, and The Aspire for $204,900. View a video tour here.

The lot rent is $550 a month and it includes trash removal and recycling, as well as water and sewer. Tenants are responsible for their own utilities and lawn care/snow removal. Dogs and cats are allowed, for up to two pets.

We spoke with Val Whaling from Teton Management about the new homes.

What do you think makes this property stand out in the current market? 

The three models — Monroe Full- Porch, Monroe Half -Porch, and The Aspire — are Titan Home products manufactured by Champion Homes and stand out in the current market because:

  • The purchase price of these homes is well below current market rate single-family homes in Berkshire County.

  • The 5 Star Energy-Efficient rating (featuring energy-efficient windows and high- performance insulation) and one-year warranty on the home, sets these homes apart from older, stick-built homes.

  • These homes are built to strict HUD standards and include structural integrity in order to meet federal standards for durability, safety and wind resistance.

Are there any stand-out design features? 

Stand out features include: open concept floorplan, covered porches, stainless steel appliances, large laundry room /mudrooms, and large glass walk-in showers.

What kind of buyer do you see this home being perfect for? 

First time homebuyers/ professionals preferring home ownership vs. renting, empty nesters wanting to downsize, and cost-conscious individuals preferring the affordability of these homes.

What's the neighborhood like? 

Allendale Pines North will be comprised of 22 brand-new homes, on individual lots, set on beautiful property, neighboring the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail. The property is located at 395 Cheshire Road, Pittsfield, offering proximity to retail shopping and dining. Additionally, Allendale Pines North property is well managed by a reputable owner/operator. (All adult community residents are approved via community application approval process.).

What would you say to a buyer trying to imagine their life in this space? 

"Imagine the cost savings of owning a brand-new, energy-efficient home, easy to maintain and allowing the convenience of modern day and easy living, in a quiet, well-managed community."

What does the home come with? 

Included are: Stainless steel Whirlpool appliances (refrigerator with icemaker, dishwasher, and gas stove/oven), and closets equipped with shelf/hanging rod. Plus an 8-by-10-foot Amish built shed, two wooden entrance stairs with wooden handrails and black wrought iron spindles, two-car driveway, sidewalks and brand-new water/sewer infrastructure.

You can find out more about these homes on its listing here.

*Front Porch Feature brings you an exclusive to some of the houses listed on our real estate page every week. Here we take a bit of a deeper dive into a certain house for sale and ask questions so you don't have to.

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