Interprint Awarded Workforce Training Grant

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Healey-Driscoll Administration awarded $11 million to businesses as part of a strategic investment to retain and upskill talent within Massachusetts' workforce. 
 
Interprint was awarded $163,900 to train 171 workers; 50 additional jobs are expected by 2026.
 
Awards have been awarded to 125 businesses statewide to date in 2024. The grants, administered and distributed by the Commonwealth Corporation, aim to address business productivity and competitiveness by providing funding to Massachusetts businesses to train current and newly hired employees. Commonwealth Corporation projects more than 6,600 workers will receive skills training in the workplace and grant recipients will add more than 1,400 additional employees in Massachusetts over the next two years.
 
Awarded grants span eleven different industries including $5.6 million awarded to 67 manufacturing businesses to train 3,139 workers and $2.1 million awarded to 20 businesses in the professional, scientific, and technical services industry with the goal to train 1,255 workers.
 
Workforce Training Fund Program grants are available for businesses of all sizes, with the greatest use applied by small to medium-sized businesses. The grants provide instruction on a variety of skills, including ESOL, project management, software and IT, and machine set-up and operation. Businesses can apply for two types of grants through the Workforce Training Fund Program: 1) Express Program, which provides fast and flexible access to grant-funded training designed so that small businesses can quickly and easily access funding to address immediate needs; and 2) General Program, which are two-year grants used for large-scale, strategic training projects. During fiscal year 2024 (July 2023 – June 2024), these programs awarded $37.2 million to train more than 27,900 workers from more than 1,600 businesses.  Employers receiving these grants plan to add more than 2,800 additional employees in Massachusetts by 2026. These two-year grants are awarded competitively and can range from $10,000 to $250,000. 
 
Grant recipients contribute a matching investment of at least one dollar for each grant-dollar awarded. This announcement includes General Program Training Grants awarded from November 2023 through July 2024.
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Friday Front Porch: Luxurious Lakefront Property

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Are you looking for a lakefront estate to spend your days? Then this might be the home for you.

Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week, we are showcasing 140 Hancock Road.

This house was built in 2015 and has eight bedrooms and seven bathrooms. It is 6,986 square feet on a little over an acre. 

The house sits on Pontoosuc Lake and includes private lake access and a pool with an expansive deck. 

The kitchen is equipped with Wolf and SubZero appliances and there is a full outdoor kitchen as well. The property has three additional separated living quarters, each with a kitchen and its own living room. 

The house also includes a big garage for multiple cars or more.

It is on the market for $4,900,000.

We spoke with Elisha Poirier from Stone House Properties LLC, which has the listing.

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

What truly sets this property apart is the incredible scale combined with its premier lakefront setting. With over 7,400 square feet of space, eight bedrooms, multiple independent living quarters, and extensive garage capacity, it offers a level of versatility that is very rare in the Berkshires. The sweeping views of Pontoosuc Lake and Mount Greylock, along with private lake access, a pool, and exceptional indoor and outdoor entertaining spaces, create a lifestyle that feels more like a private resort than a traditional home.

What was your first impression when you walked into this home?

My first impression was the sense of openness and how immediately your eye is drawn to the water. The layout was clearly designed to highlight the views, and the natural light combined with the scale of the space makes the home feel both grand and welcoming at the same time.

How would you describe the feel or atmosphere of this home?

The atmosphere is both luxurious and relaxed. It has the presence and amenities of a high-end estate, but the lakefront setting and thoughtfully designed living spaces make it feel comfortable and inviting. It's a home that works just as well for quiet mornings by the water as it does for hosting large gatherings.

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

This home would be ideal for someone who loves to entertain and host family and friends, or for a multi-generational family looking for both shared space and private living areas. It could also appeal to someone looking for a true retreat in the Berkshires, whether as a primary residence or a luxury getaway.

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

It's easy to picture spending your mornings looking out over the lake, afternoons enjoying the pool or taking the boat out from your private dock, and evenings gathered around the outdoor kitchen or fire pit with friends and family. The property is designed so that everyday life feels like a vacation.

What do the current owners love most about this home?

What they love most is the incredible connection to the lake and the views. The property offers privacy while still feeling open to the natural beauty around it. They've also enjoyed the ability to host large gatherings while still offering guests their own comfortable and private spaces.

Are there any standout design features or recent renovations?

Some of the standout features include the chef's kitchen with high-end Wolf and SubZero appliances, multiple private living quarters with their own kitchens and entrances, and expansive outdoor entertaining areas with a built-in kitchen, pool, and fire pit. The home also includes a whole-house audio system, five laundry units, and premium Pella iron-clad windows and doors, all thoughtfully designed with sustainability and efficiency in mind. The property is insulated with spray foam throughout, maximizing energy efficiency while also providing superior protection from the strong winds often experienced on the lake.

You can find out more about this home 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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