EPA Awards Brownfields Grants to Revitalize Berkshire County Communities

10:33AM / Thursday, May 22, 2025Print Story | Email Story

BOSTON — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced significant Brownfields Grant funding to support the cleanup and revitalization of communities within Berkshire County, Massachusetts. Over $2.5 million has been specifically allocated to projects aimed at transforming blighted properties into valuable community assets.

The Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC) has been selected to receive $2,000,000 in supplemental funding for its Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) program. This substantial funding boost builds upon the $11,095,667 already awarded to the BRPC by the EPA. The BRPC's RLF program has a proven track record, having facilitated loans or subgrants that have led to 12 completed or ongoing cleanup projects. The newly awarded funds are projected to support crucial cleanup efforts at two sites in Adams: the Memorial School and the Curtis Paper property.

In addition to the RLF funding, the Town of Great Barrington has been awarded a $500,000 Brownfields Assessment Grant. These community-wide grant funds will enable the town to conduct up to eight Phase 1 and up to six Phase 2 environmental site assessments. The grant will also support the prioritization of potential brownfield sites, community engagement activities, and the preparation of three cleanup plans. The target areas for this assessment grant are Downtown Great Barrington and Housatonic Village. Priority sites identified include an abandoned 0.8-acre eight-unit multifamily residential property and a 20-acre former textile mill that has been vacant since its closure in 1955.

By providing resources for assessment and cleanup, the EPA aims to help these communities transform underutilized and potentially hazardous properties into vibrant spaces for residents and businesses.

Tags: brownfields, EPA,

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Berkshire South Sees $1M Earmark for Expansion

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:48PM / Thursday, August 06, 2026

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass.— The Berkshire South Regional Community Center was earmarked for more than $1 million to expand its north wing.

On Thursday, Congressman Richard Neal sat with Executive Director Jenise Lucey, board members, and other staff at the center to see how those dollars will help expand childcare, among other areas. He announced a $1,015,000 earmark for the project.

"As you can see, we are really, really busy and really busting at the seams," Lucey said while showing the congressman plans.

"So your advocacy to make this happen, so that we can really move on to the next steps and serve our community, couldn't be better timed, and we're just so grateful for your support."

The 6,000-square-foot addition will add about 20 spaces for infant and toddler care and increase the 40,000-square-foot building by about 15 percent. It will also allow BCRCC to expand its fitness center, upgrade its HVAC system, and relocate administrative offices.

BCRCC sees about 200,000 visitors per year and is licensed to welcome 100 summer campers, running a nine-week program during working hours. Childcare programming runs year-round, with the center serving about 240 youth annually.

Open since 2002, the community center will soon celebrate its 25th anniversary. The allocation was made through Congressionally Directed Spending from the Rural Housing Service with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Neal said that childcare was one of the biggest issues during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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