Berkshire Organizations Awarded MassDevelopment Small Business Technical Assistance Grants

08:12AM / Friday, March 13, 2026Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — MassDevelopment announced $4,455,000 in grants from the Small Business Technical Assistance Program to help 55 community and economic development organizations that provide services to Massachusetts small businesses.

The grants, ranging from $40,000 to $104,000, will help the organizations expand advising, training, and capital access programs for businesses with fewer than 20 employees. Funding supports one-on-one technical assistance, business skills workshops, and improved pathways to financing, helping small and microbusinesses start, stabilize, and grow.

In Berkshire County:

Berkshire Agricultural Ventures, Inc. (Great Barrington) – $80,000
Community Development Corporation South Berkshire, Inc. (Great Barrington) – $40,000
Assets for Artists Inc. (North Adams) – $80,000
Berkshire Black Economic Council, Inc. (Pittsfield) – $83,400
Latinas413, Inc. (Pittsfield) – $40,000
Pittsfield Economic Revitalization Corporation (Pittsfield) – $96,000

In addition, the program funds professional development for service providers through "train-the-trainer" opportunities, including workshops, peer learning, and partnerships with educational institutions.

The Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations, an association of mission-driven community development organizations, will receive $65,000 in funding from the SBTA program to administer this professional development and capacity-building programming for business-serving organizations.

"Massachusetts' competitiveness depends on the strength of our small businesses," said Governor Maura Healey. "These grants will help entrepreneurs access the expertise and financing pathways that turn ideas into growing companies and jobs across the state."

Administered by MassDevelopment on behalf of the Commonwealth, the Small Business Technical Assistance Program was created in 2006 by the former Mass Growth Capital Corporation to empower small business support organizations, such as community development corporations, community development financial institutions, and other nonprofit business service providers, to increase access to business planning support and capital for underserved small businesses throughout the state.

Last year, in Fiscal Year 2025, MassDevelopment awarded $6.7 million in grants from the Small Business Technical Assistance Program to 73 organizations; this funding helped grant recipients deliver assistance to 4,740 small businesses across Massachusetts and unlock a total of $116,948,899 in capital to help these companies meet their goals.

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Pittsfield Subcommittee Supports $15M for Water Plants, Files Wastewater Ask

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:06AM / Friday, March 13, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city has subcommittee support on $15 million in borrowing for water treatment system upgrades, and will return with a refined proposal for the wastewater treatment plant.

On Monday, the Finance Subcommittee supported a request to borrow $15,000,000 for upgrades to the Ashley and Cleveland water treatment plants. Commissioner of Public Services and Utilities Ricardo Morales explained that this is the very first step in a multi-phase project. It is expected to conclude in 2033.

The subcommittee filed without prejudice a request to borrow another $15,225,000 for the construction of a new administration and laboratory building at the wastewater treatment plant. There was a robust discussion about the proposal at the last meeting, with councilors focused on ensuring it is appropriately scaled, fiscally responsible, and transparent.

Morales reported that the city will take a step back and revisit the basis of WWTP design, and return with a refined proposal that addresses concerns.

"While the current design was developed from the recommendations outlined in the 2016 Facility Plan, we did not conduct a full alternatives analysis comparison," he wrote in a communication to the subcommittee.

"That analysis, along with a deeper review of building type, footprint, and value engineering opportunities, is warranted."

Subcommittee members were invited to the water treatment plants for site visits, and, on Monday, representatives from the AECOM infrastructure consulting firm detailed the scope of work and timeline.

Councilor at Large Kathy Amuso thanked the water department for the visit, explaining that she was impressed with the number of staff and their knowledge. She said it made a big difference.