Berkshire County Businesses, Organizations Awarded Workplace Safety Grants

07:47AM / Thursday, November 05, 2026Print Story | Email Story

BOSTON — Governor Maura Healey announced $800,000 in grants to help nearly 7,000 workers at 187 organizations across Massachusetts stay safe on the job.

The grants, administered by the Department of Industrial Accidents (DIA), support workplace safety training and education to help prevent injuries and reduce risks for workers.

Grant recipients include cities and towns, small businesses, minority-, women- and veteran-owned businesses, and employers in industries such as manufacturing and construction. Since 1988, DIA has awarded approximately $25 million in workplace safety grants, supporting approximately 340,000 workers and 1,880 employers across Massachusetts.

"Every worker in Massachusetts deserves to be safe on the job and come home to their family at the end of the day," said Governor Maura Healey. "These grants will give nearly 7,000 workers the training and skills they need to prevent injuries and stay safe at work. We're proud to partner with employers across the state who are investing in the health and safety of their workers."

In Berkshire County

Berkshire County Arc, Inc. received $16,000
Berkshire County Head Start Child Development Program received $2,675
East Coast Refinishing received $3,500

Last year, the Healey-Driscoll Administration launched the SafetyWorks Initiative, a one-stop menu featuring free technical consultation and state occupational and industrial safety resources to make it easier for businesses to access guidance, training, and tools to strengthen workplace safety. Public- and private-sector employers interested in these resources can visit mass.gov/SafetyWorks to schedule a confidential consultation or apply for training grants of up to $25,000 through the Department of Industrial Accidents, as funding allows.

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Pittsfield Human Service Funding Applications Open Soon

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
06:16AM / Thursday, November 05, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Applications for human services funding open next week, and membership space is available for anyone who wants to be involved in the process.

Last week, the Human Services Advisory Council laid out a timeline for the next year's grant awards. It provides funding recommendations to the mayor on how Pittsfield should allocate its human services funding, a mix of Community Development Block Grants and general fund money.

Request for proposal applications will be available at the Department of Community Development on Nov. 9; there will be three bidders conferences in November and December, and public comment on human service needs will begin in the new year.

Proposals are due to the Department of Community Development on Jan. 8, 2027. The public comment period closes at the end of January, and in the spring, the Human Services Advisory Council will recommend funding.

"We typically get about 20 to 30 applications each year," reported Nate Joyner, Pittsfield's community development and housing program manager.

He explained that the schedule of activities proposed for the upcoming cycle is similar to last year. Though, any references to American Rescue Plan Act funding were removed, as the nearly $41 million funding infusion during the COVID-19 pandemic has been exhausted.

The council will also need a new chair, as Rosalind Kopfstein has retired. In January, it will vote on nominations. Jenny Bell was welcomed as a new member at the Oct. 29 virtual meeting, and there are additional openings.

Last year's human service funding benefitted more than 4,000 community members. A total of $154,500 in CDBG funds was allocated to 13 different agencies, and $51,750 from the city general fund was granted to ten agencies.

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