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.