Pittsfield's Boost North Street Cohort Celebrates Program Launch

08:00AM / Thursday, June 13, 2024Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. (DPI) and the Pittsfield Economic Revitalization Corporation (PERC) announced the launch of the 2024 Boost! North Street Cohort.

This program is supported with funding from TDI Local Funds, provided by MassDevelopment's Transformative Development Initiative (TDI), and matched with additional funding from the Pittsfield Economic Development Revitalization Corporation. The partnership aims to empower and support local businesses on North Street through competitive grants and professional consulting, said a press release.

Professional consulting services will be provided by Revby LLC., a technical assistance grant provided by MassDevelopment's Transformative Development Initiative.

Twelve downtown Pittsfield businesses have been selected to join the 2024 Boost North Street Cohort through a competitive process that considered applicant's initiative, proposed feasibility, purpose, and collaboration efforts. Participation in the Boost North Street Cohort is designed to enhance various aspects of business operations, including sales, marketing, digital presence, financial organization, growth strategy, website development, and operations workflow.

Businesses will receive grant funding upon completion of program requirements which include one-on-one business consulting sessions.

The 2024 Boost North Street cohort participants are:

ASTScuba/Aquatic Roots
Berkshire International Market
Clark Vintage Lighting
Dottie's Coffee Lounge/Dorothy's Estaminet
Empire Pizza
Espetinho Carioca
Methuselah Bar and Lounge
Otto's Kitchen and Comfort
Placita Latina Restaurant and Market
Steven Valenti Clothing
Tito's Mexican Bar and Grill
Witch Slapped

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Dalton Prepares for Challenging Budget Season

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:48AM / Friday, January 16, 2026

DALTON, Mass. — As the town embarks on a challenging budget season, the new town manager has already put forth cost mitigation options.

It has been demonstrated by both the Finance Committee and Town Manager Eric Anderson that this budget season will be full of obstacles and tough decisions.

During the Select Board meeting on Monday night, Anderson explained that the town is going to be very close to its levy limit with the increases in the school district budget, health-care costs, and cost-of-living increase for employees.

Health insurance costs are projected to increase roughly 16 to 18 percent for next year, which will be a "big hit" to the town, he said.

The town currently pays about $1.2 million total for employee health insurance. Employees are responsible for around 27 percent of the health-care costs, Anderson said.

The board approved setting the cost of living adjustment for town employees to 3 percent for fiscal year 2027.

The board felt that the 2 percent COLA combined with the 1.75 percent step or grade increase was in line with the consumer price index of about 2.7 percent.

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