Berkshire Organizations Awarded Fourth of July Grants

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BOSTON — The governor awarded the Adams Theater, Sheffield Historical Society, and Stockbridge Library Association grants to support initiatives and events commemorating the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.  
 
"The enthusiasm for MA250 is visible all across the state, with exciting events and exhibitions happening every day and visitors from across the country and the globe coming to town to take part. With this round of MA250 grants, we're reinforcing our investments to tell the story of Massachusetts, from our revolutionary roots to the vibrant, inclusive state we are today," said Governor Maura Healey. "These projects honor our shared history while telling the stories that have been left untold for too long, strengthening local economies and shaping a statewide celebration of our values and our future."
 
The Governor's administration announced $2 million in grants to 59 organizations across the state to support initiatives and events commemorating the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.
 
In Berkshire County:
  • The Adams Theater was awarded $15,000 for their Massachusetts 250 Festival project.
  • The Sheffield Historical Society was awarded $7,500 for their Revolutionary Pathways: Southern Berkshire's Fight for Freedom project.
  • Stockbridge Library Association was awarded $5,000 for their A Day in Revolutionary Stockbridge project.
From historic battlefield memorials and museum exhibits to cultural festivals and innovative public art, these efforts bring Revolutionary history to life in cities and towns statewide.
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Adams Applies for CDBG Grant to Address Blight

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
ADAMS, Mass. — The town continues its efforts to address blight in the community by applying for funds through the Community Development Block Grant, as it has done years prior.  
 
The Select Board recently approved the grant application requesting $950,000 to fund the highly anticipated Winter Street reconstruction and the town's Adams Housing Rehabilitation Program. 
 
CDBG is a federally funded competitive grant program administered by the state. It can be used for activities that address blight, housing, beautification, demolition and economic development.
 
The need for these funds is substantial as towns work to balance addressing high-cost infrastructure repairs with limited state and federal funding, such as Chapter 90, said Donna Cesan, community development director. 
 
"Adams is one of the poor communities in the commonwealth.  Here in the Northern Berkshires, we're still recovering from the '60s and the loss of our manufacturing base, so it's been a slow recovery," she said. 
 
Cesan has been working with the town for more than 20 years and during that time has seen improvements but there are still setbacks, including the rising costs to address the communities needs. 
 
"To continue to work on projects like this to improve the community. So, I think Adams is very deserving of this. I think the community needs this," she said. 
 
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