1Berkshire Launches Pilot Program to Support Immigrant Entrepreneurs

PITTSFIELD, Mass. —  1Berkshire has announced a two-year pilot program aimed at supporting immigrant entrepreneurs in the Berkshires, funded by a one-time earmark from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

The Berkshire Immigrant Entrepreneurial Support Program consists of four key initiatives:

• Collaborative Partner Resource Allocations - These pre-identified funding allocations will help launch, sustain, or complete programs, projects, or efforts that add new capacity. 1Berkshire's support to Berkshire Community College's ESOL program for Spring and Fall 2025 is one such investment being made through this program. Future allocations will be announced as they occur.

• Women- and Minority-Owned Business Enterprise (WMBE) Certification Micro-Grants - For immigrant entrepreneurs and immigrant-owned businesses that it makes sense for, this program is offering micro-grants to help cover the cost of the certification process.

• Translation and Interpretive Services - By investing in ongoing translation and interpretation services, more materials, programs, training, and resources will be distributed in multiple languages to support entrepreneurs and their business growth.

• Tailored Technical Assistance and Training - Based on past and ongoing feedback, this tailored training and technical assistance will focus on the specific needs identified by members of the immigrant entrepreneur community and the partners providing them support already. Workshops will be announced and posted on the 1Berkshire Immigrant Entrepreneurial Support Program website.

Ben Lamb, 1Berkshire VP of Economic Development, highlighted the program's potential impact, emphasizing the contributions of immigrant-owned businesses to the local economy and downtown revitalization efforts.

"1Berkshire is excited that it can put these resources to good work and support our growing immigrant business community in ongoing and new ways over the next two years. Berkshire County has seen such an immense amount of private investment by many such businesses in recent years; creating jobs, driving redevelopment, building community, and injecting life into our downtowns," he said. "These added resources will further that regional, local and individual economic impact for these entrepreneurs committed to building their businesses in the Berkshires." 

More details and program updates can be found at 1Berkshire's website.

State Auditor DiZoglio Pushes for Beacon Hill Transparency

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:29AM / Monday, September 28, 2026

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.