1Berkshire Announces USDA Funded Winter 2025 Technical Assistance Offerings

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — 1Berkshire, thanks in part to funding from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), announced its upcoming slate of technical assistance offerings through the Berkshire Economic Recovery Program (BERP).
 
Through its series of cohorts spanning nearly four years, the Berkshire Economic Recovery Program Technical Assistance series has been able to support more than 200 businesses through targeted training and focused convenings and quantified by over $2,500,000 in funding collectively accessed by businesses through their participation. 
 
Going into the Winter of 2025, the program will continue on with three upcoming cohorts. These cohorts will each provide up to seven participating organizations/businesses support through a two-hour kick-off workshop and resources, followed by up to two additional hours of one-on-one direct targeted technical assistance by a paid provider. 
 
1Berkshire, through competitive grant funding secured from the USDA, is able to provide this high-impact service at no cost to businesses, entrepreneurs, and organizations located in any of the 32 cities and towns of Berkshire County, representing a more than $1,000 direct value per business in each cohort.
 
The upcoming cohort kickoff dates are:
  • Jan. 23, 9am-11am - Building a Social Media Marketing Strategy, with Francesca Olsen (Session full - Waitlist open)
  • Jan. 28, 4pm-6pm - Let’s Jumpstart Your Crowdfunding Campaign, with Laura Christensen
  • Feb. 18, 4pm-6pm - Let Robots Do The Work: AI Tools for Small Business Success, with Jenny Bergman
Because the BERP Technical Assistance is FREE, each cohort has a capacity of seven participants; space is very limited, and registration is required. For details on these technical assistance offerings and to register, visit: https://bit.ly/BERPTA
 
For more information, or for additional inquiries, contact the 1Berkshire Economic Development Team at EconomicDev@1berkshire.com.

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State Auditor DiZoglio Pushes for Beacon Hill Transparency

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff

The state auditor called on voters to support Question 1 on the November ballot, which would bring most legislative and governor's office records under the public records law. 
DALTON, Mass. — Transparency is not a one-party issue, and democracy is also "under attack" here in Massachusetts, not just at the federal level, State Auditor Diana DiZoglio said during a presentation to the Dalton Democratic Town Committee.
 
More than a dozen people filled Nessacus Regional Middle School's auditorium Thursday as DiZoglio outlined her belief that power on Beacon Hill has become concentrated among a small number of House leaders, limiting legislative debate and creating what she described as a system of "rewards and punishment" to influence lawmakers.
 
"That system is really destroying democracy here in Massachusetts," she said.
 
The system was designed with a system of checks and balances, including giving the people a right to create laws at the ballot box, DiZoglio said.
 
"We have the right to vote for our elected representatives and senators to represent us and to be our voice at the state house. The people have constitutional rights in this commonwealth, but the people's rights are being ignored over and over and over again," she said
 
"This isn't about liberal, moderate, conservative. This is an everyone issue. That's why you see so many people coming out and supporting these transparency issues, regardless of party affiliation."
 
Since being elected in 2022, DiZoglio has been advocating for more transparency and accountability within the Legislature, specifically through the 2024 Question 1 ballot question which authorizes the state auditor to audit the Legislature.
 
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