Greenagers Acquires 'Red Barn' Property

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EGREMONT, Mass. — Greenagers has purchased the red barn property at 72 Main Street in South Egremont, an investment that will provide housing for its year-round staff. 
 
"We have a housing emergency in our community, and among current and prospective employees in our organization," said Will Conklin, Greenagers executive director. "This opportunity arose very quickly, and so we moved quickly to address one of our top organizational concerns: housing."
 
The property can accommodate up to five residents, and also includes additional space for other retail or community uses in the future. 
 
Greenagers will embark with fundraising to offset the mortgage and philanthropic lending that made a quick purchase possible.
 
Greenagers, which provides outdoor jobs, job training, and environmental education for young adults and teens, secured low-interest financing for the purchase and will be reaching out to its community of supporters to help pay down the loan and support improvements to the building and property.
 
The property will also offer a hands-on project for participants in Greenagers' Trades program, which introduces and trains students in carpentry, electrical, plumbing and other building-related skills. 
 
 

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Lt. Governor Driscoll Visits Great Barrington Businesses

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, Housing Secretary Ed Augustus and state Rep. Leigh Davis are ready to chop wood out back of Pleasant and Main. 

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll did some holiday shopping on Main Street last week after announcing millions of federal Community Development Block Grant funds

She was glad to see an array of small-business owners thriving, and the eclectic items that Great Barrington has to offer. 

"We know that the vibrancy of communities can often be defined by what's happening on Main Street," she said. 

"It's great to be here in Great Barrington and see so many independent entrepreneurs who are running really, not only fun, but businesses that are doing well, and we want to try and find ways to uplift and support that work moving forward." 

State Rep. Leigh Davis coordinated a business tour with Pleasant and Main Cafe and General Store, Robbie's Community Market, and Butternut Ski Mountain. While downtown, Driscoll also stopped at Coco's Candy and Rob's Records and Audio. 

Earlier that day, the Healey-Driscoll administration announced $33.5 million in federal CDBG funds at the Housatonic Community Center. Great Barrington, in conjunction with Egremont and Stockbridge, has been allocated $ 1.25 million to rehabilitate approximately 14 housing units.  A new Rural and Small Town Housing Choice Community designation for its Housing Choice Initiative was also launched. 

Davis emphasized the significance of the state announcing these dollars in the small village of Housatonic.  

Craig Bero, founder of Pleasant and Main, prepared desserts and hors d'oeuvres for the group at his cozy cafe across the street from the Housatonic Community Center. Bero opened more than a decade ago after migrating from New York City, and Pleasant and Main offers sustainable, organic meals for an affordable price while enjoying the museum of antiques that is the restaurant. 

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