1Berkshire Awarded Climate-Critical Underrepresented Business Support Grant

08:23AM / Wednesday, March 25, 2026Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — 1Berkshire Strategic Alliance, Inc. was awarded $50,000 to develop a regional plan supporting underrepresented businesses with readiness, growth, and advancement support, and procurement navigation for businesses in Western Mass.

The announcement was part of more than $7 million in grants awarded by the Healey-Driscoll Administration to enhance workforce development in climatetech.

Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) Interim CEO Dr. Jennifer Le Blond announced the funding during the 2026 Central Massachusetts Regional Clean Energy & Climatetech Workforce Summit at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

"Massachusetts is leading the nation in clean energy and climatetech, and that leadership depends on a strong, skilled workforce," said Governor Maura Healey. "These investments will connect residents across the state to good-paying careers while helping employers meet growing demand. We are building a clean energy economy that creates opportunity in every region and real jobs for Massachusetts workers."

The summit focused on three strategic themes: building strategic connections, addressing critical workforce challenges in the region, and exploring resources and funding. Building on the success of MassCEC's previous regional summits in Northeast and Western Massachusetts, this event is part of the agency's broader effort to establish a statewide Climate Corridor.

The climatetech sector in Massachusetts employs nearly 163,000 people. In Central Massachusetts alone, the sector provides jobs for more than 24,000 people, and employers continue to look for skilled personnel. Events like today's summit drive the collaboration needed to expand and upskill the clean energy workforce, which remains crucial to transitioning to a clean energy economy.

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Pittsfield Committee Recommends Scanlon for City Audit

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires.com
11:59AM / Sunday, August 02, 2026

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

On Tuesday, the Auditing Services Evaluation Committee voted, 4-2, 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 used 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 vocally supported 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 are 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 comparable 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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