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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Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.
 
This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.
 
The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.
 
DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.
 
"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths. 
 
"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."
 
Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.
 
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