2nd Street Awarded Re-Entry Workforce Development Grant

07:41AM / Friday, January 02, 2026Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Second Street Second Chances (2nd Street) has received an $89,000 Re-Entry Workforce Development Demonstration grant from the Healey-Driscoll Administration.

The grant is part of a total of $2.2 million funded by the Commonwealth's Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD) to train formerly incarcerated individuals. This latest round of funding is administered by Commonwealth Corporation, a quasi-public agency within EOLWD.

"We all benefit when individuals re-entering our communities have the relevant skills and experiences they need to succeed in today’s workforce," Governor Maura Healey said. "These grants will make a positive difference for our employers, economy and public safety."

The grant program aims to improve workforce outcomes for individuals returning to their communities after incarceration. Program participants receive on-the-job training from local organizations in industries such as clean energy, hospitality, and manufacturing.

Eleven organizations, including 2nd Street, received funding to train 389 formerly incarcerated individuals returning to the workforce for job opportunities in culinary, construction, manufacturing, hospitality and healthcare fields.

2nd Street will partner with the Berkshire County Sheriff's Office to offer a training program with a focus on the advanced manufacturing and engineering industry. Successful program graduates will be placed in machinist roles at Onyx Specialty Papers and Unistress Corporation.

"We are deeply honored to be selected as a recipient of the Re-Entry Workforce Development Demonstration Program grant," 2nd Street Executive Director Lindsay Cornwell said. "This funding allows 2nd Street to expand our mission of supporting returning citizens in Berkshire County through meaningful workforce opportunities. With this investment, we will be able to offer Advanced Manufacturing and Welding certification programs that provide participants with industry-recognized skills and a pathway toward sustainable employment. We are grateful to the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development and Commonwealth Corporation for recognizing the importance of this work and for their commitment to creating equitable opportunities statewide."

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Pittsfield Committee Recommends Scanlon for City Audit

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
04:30AM / Thursday, August 06, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— After the bid for a new auditing company came back over 30 percent higher, Pittsfield will stick with Scanlon and Associates.

On Tuesday, the Auditing Services Evaluation Committee voted to advance Scanlon to the City Council for an independent audit. CliftonLarsonAllen also responded to the bid, but came in costing $120,000 more.

"I have to go with saving money for the city. I mean, the discrepancy is too much of a difference," committee member Karen Kalinowsky said.

"The city could have use for that difference over the next three years."

This process was prompted by Rule 40 of the council rules and the City Charter, where in any year the City Council votes to hold a procurement process for an independent certified public accountant or firm to audit Pittsfield's books and accounts, the city must, through its Finance Committee with the assistance of the purchasing department, solicit requests for proposals or invitations for bids before June 1.

The council in March recommended that the purchasing agent draft a request for proposals and put it out to bid.

Ward 1 Councilor Kenneth Warren, who has been vocally in favor of the independent audit for years, said the city doesn't have to follow a bidding process for the professional service, "We are doing this so the public knows that we're being professional, and a looking for other options, looking at what the best options are, and comparing them based on what they can offer and what the cost is."

Board member Kathy Amuso said both CLA and Scanlon have equitable reviews with high recommendations. Especially considering the budget crisis Pittsfield is in, she moved to recommend Scanlon to the full council.

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