1Berkshire & Partners Sponsor Regional Small-Business Resource Expo

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DALTON, Mass. — The regional partnership of 1Berkshire, Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, Massachusetts LGBT Chamber of Commerce, Pittsfield Economic Revitalization Corp., Massachusetts Small Business Development Center, and Common Capital is excited to announce the return of the Berkshire/Western Massachusetts Small Business Resource Expo to be held on Thursday, May 21, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Stationery Factory.

This free event brings together a variety of resource providers, small business-specific informational panels, on-site expert consultations, networking opportunities, and a professional headshot photo booth to support small businesses in the Berkshires and from across Western Massachusetts. 

Attendees can expect an event that brings together high-impact service providers, industry experts, and one-day-only limited opportunities. To improve resource access, this year's expo will also include on-site interpretive services in both Spanish and Portuguese. 

"This event has always been a key opportunity for regional entrepreneurs and small businesses to gain crucial access to resources, and we continue to strive to improve the breadth of entrepreneurs these resources ultimately reach," said Benjamin Lamb, 1Berkshire vice president of economic development.

Resource providers focused on financing, marketing, business development, industry-specific growth opportunities, investment, intern access, state resources, supplier diversity, and more will all be on site at the Stationery Factory for this  day of information and opportunity.

Coffee and boxed lunches will be provided free to attendees who register in advance. Registration is required here.

Those interested in being a resource provider can register a table here


Tags: 1Berkshire,   small business,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Dalton Considers Electronic Voting Devices

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass.— Town officials are considering using electronic voting devices at town meetings for privacy, efficiency, or even to increase participation. 
 
"The intent of these is to provide anonymity and privacy at our town meetings, to provide a faster, more efficient vote in light of controversial votes and amendments to town articles, and to potentially increase the number of voters at town meetings, given the above," said Select Board Member Antonio Pagliarulo at the board meeting on Monday. 
 
Several Berkshire County municipalities use Electronic Voting Devices, also referred to as clickers. 
 
The town previously established a Voting Options Ad Hoc Committee, which was made up of Town Clerk Heather Hunt, Assistant Warden Karen Filiault, Town Moderator Anthony Doyle and Pagliarulo. 
 
Hunt has indicated that 300 devices would be sufficient if the town decides to move forward, Pagliarulo said. 
 
"The ADA community, we had three responses from the community, and we've never really thought of this but there are a lot of elderly people that have a hard time lifting their hands up for a long time, and there's a lot of elderly people that don't have a voice," he said, highlighting how some older people have softer voices so may not be heard as much during a voice vote. 
 
There had been some concerns that the clickers would add time to meetings, as noncontroversial items that typically pass unanimously or nearly unanimously could take longer to vote on, Pagliarulo said. 
 
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