BCC Awarded Grant from Commonwealth for Commercial Driver's License Training

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PITTSFIELD, Mass — Berkshire Community College (BCC) is the recipient of a $132,825 grant from the Healey-Driscoll Administration, part of a total of $1.5 million awarded to community colleges to train more than 500 students across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
 
BCC's grant is earmarked for commercial driver's license (CDL) training. Trained CDL drivers are in high demand in the Berkshires and beyond. According to an American Trucking Association survey, more than 400,000 new truck drivers are needed in the United States every year. 
 
The Training Resources and Internships Network (TRAIN) grants provide essential training opportunities to unemployed and underemployed people across Massachusetts. These grants, administered through 13 of the state's public community colleges, are designed to equip adult workers with the skills necessary to thrive in key industry sectors. TRAIN grants also fund wraparound support services to guide participants through their learning journey and into new careers, helping to ensure a robust, competitive workforce. 
 
"TRAIN grants open doors for adult learners who need skills to become a valued part of the workforce," said Linda Clairmont, BCC Executive Director of Workforce and Community Education. "We applaud Governor Healey for recognizing the need for career-connected learning, and we look forward to being able to train more students to fill much-needed positions in Berkshire County." 
 
CDL training at BCC consists of a total of 40 hours of classroom, field and on-the-road instruction. For more information, visit www.berkshirecc.edu/CDL.
 
Questions? Email workforce@berkshirecc.edu or call (413) 236-2115. 

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Pittsfield Signs Negotiating Rights Agreement With Suns Baseball Team

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Suns will call Wahconah Park home again. 

On Tuesday, the Parks Commission accepted a negotiating rights agreement between the city and longtime summer collegiate baseball team, the Pittsfield Suns. It solidifies that the two will work together when the historic ballpark is renovated. 

It remains in effect until the end of 2027, or when a license or lease agreement is signed. Terms will be automatically extended to the end of 2028 if it appears the facility won't be complete by then. 

"It certainly looks like it lays out kind of both what the Suns and Pittsfield would like to see over the next year or so during this construction plan, to be able to work together and work exclusively with each other in this time," Commissioner Anthony DeMartino said. 

Owner Jeff Goldklang, joining virtually, said he shared those thoughts, and the team looks forward to starting negotiations. After this approval, it will need a signature from Mayor Peter Marchetti and the baseball team. 

The negotiating rights agreement recognizes the long-standing relationship between Pittsfield and the team dating back to 2012, and the Suns' ownership group's historical ties to Wahconah Park and the city dating to the 1980s. The team skipped the 2024 and 2025 seasons after the historic grandstand was deemed unsafe in 2022.  

The Suns were granted the exclusive right to negotiate in good faith with the city for a license or lease agreement where the Suns will be the primary tenant. During the terms of the agreement, the city can't negotiate or enter into an agreement with another party for leniency, licensing, or operation of Wahconah Park for professional or collegiate summer baseball. 

"The Parties acknowledge the historic and cultural importance of Wahconah park to the residents of Berkshire County and share a mutual goal of providing community access, engagement, and programming on a broad and inclusive scale," it reads. 

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