Lever and BIC Awarded Climatetech Startup Grants from MassCEC

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BOSTON — Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) today announced $1.4 million in funding for 12 organizations through its Innovation Ecosystem Program, which provides critical funding to support Massachusetts’ growing network of climatetech Entrepreneur Support Organizations (ESOs). These grants will empower ESOs to expand services, strengthen infrastructure, and increase support for early-stage climatetech startups.
 
"The world looks to Massachusetts for innovative solutions to our planet's toughest challenges,” said Governor Maura Healey. That’s because we value the groundbreaking work and the significant economic impact of entrepreneurs and researchers. We’re going to continue to invest in the innovators and companies who are leading new discoveries in climatetech."
 
In Berkshire County: 
  • Berkshire Innovation Center – Pittsfield: $139,800
  • Lever, Inc. - North Adams: $100,100
 
Since 2016, MassCEC has awarded more than $6 million to 22 ESOs through this program—indirectly supporting over 1,300 climatetech startups. The Innovation Ecosystem Program enables a wide range of ESO activities, including:
  • Operations and management expenses
  • Facility and infrastructure build-out
  • Equipment purchases
  • Networking and workshop events
 
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Pittsfield Affordable Housing Initiatives Shine Light, Hope

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff

Housing Secretary Edward Augustus cuts the ribbon at The First on Thursday with housing officials and Mayor Peter Marchetti, state Sen. Paul Mark and state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The holidays are here and several community members are celebrating it with the opening of two affordable housing initiatives. 
 
"This is a day to celebrate," Hearthway CEO Eileen Peltier said during the ribbon-cutting on Thursday. 
 
The celebration was for nearly 40 supportive permanent housing units; nine at "The First" located within the Zion Lutheran Church, and 28 on West Housatonic Street. A ceremony was held in the new Housing Resource Center on First Street, which was funded by the American Rescue Plan Act. 
 
The apartments will be leased out by Hearthway, with ServiceNet as a partner. 
 
Prior to the ribbon-cutting, public officials and community resource personnel were able to tour the two new permanent supported housing projects — West Housatonic Apartments and The First Street Apartments and Housing Resource Center
 
The First Street location has nine studio apartments that are about 300 square feet and has a large community center. The West Housatonic Street location will have 28 studio units that range between 300 to 350 square feet. All units can be adapted to be ADA accessible. 
 
The West Housatonic location is still under construction with the hope to have it completed by the middle of January, said Chris Wilett, Hearthway development associate.
 
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