1Berkshire Receives Regional Economic Development Organization Grant

08:20AM / Friday, February 10, 2023Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — 1Berkshire announced that it is the recipient of a $295,000 grant award through the Regional Economic Development Organization (REDO) grant program.

This funding is made available because of statewide investments made by the Massachusetts Office of Business Development (MOBD) and the support of the Berkshire County Legislative Delegation.

The funding from the REDO grant will help to sustain the ongoing work of the 1Berkshire Economic Development team's support of small businesses, implementation efforts associated with the Berkshire Blueprint 2.0, and the ongoing regional efforts to bolster the Berkshire economy. Additionally, as part of this year's grant, 1Berkshire received funding to support a series of five distinct collaborative, regional economic development projects through the competitive application process. These projects include:

Year two of the Best Foot Forward Facade Improvement Micro-Grant Program: This effort, piloted in 2022, will again provide a series of one-time micro-grants to first-floor business storefronts to support investment in non-construction aesthetic improvements. Applications are now open for this program and found at http://bit.ly/3XmC0sl
"Insert Here" Vacant Window Art Program: This pilot program will provide up to three organizations or municipalities with a sub-award grant of $5,000 to fund the commissioning and installation of printed vinyl artwork in vacant storefront windows to help draw attention to available commercial space and add to downtown beautification. Applications are now open for this program and found at http://bit.ly/3kp1ff0
Berkshire Innovation Center North Pilot Programming: This funding will support the piloting of programming and activities associated with extending the reach of the Berkshire Innovation Center into a northern Berkshire presence.
Small Business Resource Expo: The Small Business Resource Expo, that was first held in 2022, will be held again.
GreylockWORKS Lighting and Signage: In an effort to support the ongoing development of GreylockWORKS, this project will support the production and installation of signage and lighting elements that allow for improved user experience and navigation of the North Adams multi-purpose, mixed-use complex and on-site events.

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Pittsfield School Committee Sees Budget Calendar, Chapter 70 Concerns

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:28AM / Monday, January 19, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Pittsfield Public Schools kicked off its fiscal year 2027 budget calendar, and are again facing uncertainties with state Chapter 70 funding.

During the first meeting of the new term on Wednesday, the School Committee OK'd an FY27 budget calendar that plans the committee's vote in mid-April. Interim Superintendent Latifah Phillips stressed the importance of equity in this process.

"It's really important for us through these next couple of months to look at our different schools, our different needs, different student demographics, and really understand, are we just assigning resources equally, or are we really assigning them based on what different groups of students need?" she said.

The district could lose up to $5 million in Chapter 70 funding from declining enrollment, specifically of low-income students. This is a similar issue that PPS saw in 2024, when the discovery of 11 students meeting those income guidelines put the district in the higher funding category and added $2.4 million to the school budget.

"We are in a funding category, Group 11, for a district with a large percentage of low-income students, and that number could fluctuate depending on who exited the district," Phillips explained.

"So we're going to do our best to understand that, but ultimately, these numbers will impact the budget that is proposed to us by the governor."

According to the budget calendar, a draft budget will be presented in March, followed by a hearing in early April, and the School Committee is set to vote on the budget in mid-April. The City Charter requires it to be adopted before May 1, and a meeting with the City Council must occur no later than May 31.

Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Bonnie Howland provided an overview of the Chapter 70 funding and budget process. The budget calendar, she said, is designed to really support transparency, coordination, and legal compliance.

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