Third Round of Community Empowerment and Reinvestment Program Open

08:00AM / Saturday, August 26, 2023Print Story | Email Story

BOSTON — The Executive Office of Economic Development announced the opening of the third round of the Community Empowerment and Reinvestment Grant Program, which will provide a total of $15 million in grant funds to develop, strengthen, and invest in community-led efforts to bring positive outcomes to communities that face historically disproportionate challenges to economic growth.

"The Community Empowerment and Reinvestment Grant Program provides important resources to organizations to advance projects that help their neighborhoods and residents thrive,” said Secretary of Economic Development Yvonne Hao. “We are pleased to open this grant round and look forward to investing in the economic empowerment of communities across the state."

This year, the grant program will shift to a multi-year procurement cycle and will accept applications for projects that run from early 2024 through June 2026. Initial contracts will extend through June 2024 and, subject to annual state budget appropriations and renewal eligibility, grantees will have the opportunity to receive up to two additional one-year contracts.

This competitive grant program was developed to support communities with high rates of criminal justice system involvement, widespread poverty, and large groups of disadvantaged and underrepresented populations. Project categories include community-based workforce development, small business development, housing stabilization, community health improvement, high school dropout prevention, and community organizing and leadership development.

First passed into law in December 2020, the Community Empowerment and Reinvestment Grant Program involved the establishment of a Community Empowerment Board to inform application processes and criteria. As prescribed by law, the seven-member Community Empowerment Board consists of individuals who belong to demographic groups that have been traditionally underrepresented and have historically been at social and economic disadvantages.

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New Pittsfield City Council, School Committee Meets

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
02:25PM / Sunday, January 18, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The new City Council and School Committee met for the first time last week, and were met with some hope from the public.

The council is largely the same as the last term, with Cameron Cunningham now representing Ward 2 and Kathy Moody Ward 7. On the other hand, the School Committee is all new aside from longtime member Daniel Elias.

Resident Paul Gregory, a regular at public comment, told the council, "I stand here tonight, I'm excited. I'm not complaining." Gregory said that with challenges come opportunities, and he is confident that the elected officials are up for it.

"I'm really, really looking forward to the leadership and the roles that each of you will play in order to bring out the best that Pittsfield is and can be," he said.

"We need to stress our values as a city. We need to recognize and identify why people should live in this city and what opportunities there are both for entertainment, for employment, and for activities."

Councilor at Large Earl Persip III was elected council president during the inauguration ceremony earlier this month, and Mayor Peter Marchetti was elected to chair the School Committee. During the committee's meeting on Wednesday, Marchetti noted that this would be the last time "communication by the chair" will be placed on the agenda because he will deliver comments as other members do.

United Educators of Pittsfield President Jeanne Lemmond, also offered well wishes to the School Committee.

"It's going to be an interesting time working with so many new faces, and the UEP is looking forward to a very positive working relationship with you as we go into negotiations and any other business that we bring forward to you," she said.

Gregory, who also addressed the School Committee, hopes they work collaboratively to support each other, especially with the district's "ambitious" efforts to restructure the middle school levels and build a new school in the West Side.

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