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:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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