Archive for December, 2008

Pittsfield Economic Revitalization Corporation (PERC) Receives State Grant

Published: December 31, 2008Posted in: FOR PROFIT RESOURCES, RESOURCESTags: , , , ,

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“PERC is one of 25 community-based, nonprofit organizations in the state that have received funds from the Massachusetts Office of Small Business and Entrepreneurship.” -Tony Dobrowolski, Berkshire Eagle Staff

PERC’s primary purpose is to further the economic development and social welfare of the City of Pittsfield and Berkshire County. Fostering increased employment opportunities and facilitating growth and development of small businesses.

PERC provides direct loans and access to a variety of public loan programs to help businesses that are unable to obtain conventional financing.

PERC offers several programs as assistance to entrepreneurs locating or expanding businesses in Pittsfield and Berkshire County. Each program has project eligibility requirements and most requires a job creation commitment.

Click here to read the full Berkshire Eagle article!

Click here to learn more about PERC!

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MCC to Hold Gathering to Discuss the Economy’s Impact on Cultural Community

Published: December 31, 2008Posted in: ARCHIVES, HAPPENINGS ARCHIVETags: , , ,

teamworkThe Massachusetts Cultural Council invites all members of the cultural community to participate in its Big Hug Tour, a series of informal gatherings during the week of January 5 – 9, 2009.

The Big Hug Tour will be in the Berkshires at the:

Berkshire Museum
39 South St., Pittsfield, MA
Wednesday, January 7
2:00 PM

Come prepared to share stories and data on how the weakened economy has affected your business, and how you’re responding. Help us brainstorm how we can work together to promote continued private and public investment in arts and culture in Massachusetts, even as resources are increasingly strained.

Please come prepared to discuss changes in:

  • Ticket sales/attendance
  • Other earned revenue
  • Endowment value
  • Corporate sponsorship
  • Individual giving

Information will not be used for grant review purposes or shared with the public. Eleven meetings will be held statewide, facilitated by MCC staff members. RSVP to Neluka Levy, 617-727-3668 x231 or neluka.levy@art.state.ma.us

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RSYP Call For Artists

Published: December 30, 2008Posted in: OPPORTUNITES ARCHIVESTags: , ,

picture-5RSYP Receives Grant from the New England Foundation for the Arts

RSYP has received a grant from the NEFA to develop a new stretch of the Housatonic Riverwalk in Great Barrington, which will include a public art installation.

RSYP is seeking artists interested in working with youth to create a new community space.

The selected artist will be awarded $8000 for the project. For more information or to apply, visit NEFA by clicking here!

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Berkshire Enterprises Resources

Published: December 30, 2008Posted in: FOR PROFIT RESOURCES, RESOURCESTags: , ,

200x124belogoBerkshire Enterprises is an affiliated program of Berkshire Community College Life Long Learning Workforce Development. BE’s mission is to aid, encourage, train, nurture and advise entrepreneurs in the development, start-up and management of their businesses. Check out some of the BE resources to help you do better business in the Berkshires.

Berkshire Business Information Center (BBIC)

The BIC, formerly co-sponsored by the US Small Business Administration, is located in the Berkshire Enterprises suite and provides high speed internet service, videos, and a reference library of extensive business resources at no charge to the general public.

The Pittsfield Enterprise Center – A Business Incubator Where Businesses Go to Grow

Berkshire Enterprises administers a small business incubator in downtown Pittsfield. The Pittsfield Enterprise Center offers furnished interim office space for businesses looking for a supportive place to grow, focusing on supporting businesses, providing low cost space, high-speed internet connection, business consulting and shared services. An application process is required for all occupants.

Shared services include: Ongoing consulting, high-speed internet service, shared fax and copy machine, at a moderate cost.

For more information please contact Steve Fogel, Berkshire Enterprises Program Director at sfogel@berkshireenterprises.com or at 413-448-2755.

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ArtistLink: A Resource to Help You Do Better Business in the Berkshires

Published: December 29, 2008Posted in: FOR PROFIT RESOURCES, NON PROFIT RESOURCES, RESOURCESTags: , , , , ,

picture-13ArtistLink is a collaborative effort to create a stable yet dynamic environment for Massachusetts artists.

ArtistLink achieves this mission by taking a leadership role on artist space by providing individual artists, developers, and municipalities with targeted information and technical assistance and by advocating for relevant policy changes at the state level. You can read more about ArtistLink services here. Check out their art space finder service, on-line homebuying course for artists and artist’s professional toolbox for career planning resources!

To find more information on resources available to help you do better business in the Berkshires visit Berkshire Creative’s Resource Page!

Do you have an item you would like to share about the creative economy? Suggest a Post to Berkshire Creative!

Connect with Berkshire Bands

Published: December 26, 2008Posted in: LOCAL NEWS, NEWS BULLETINTags: , , ,

l_8ff6c1f46bc9b537134f0dcaf26d38d2Berkshire County is brimming with amazing musical talent, and thanks to the Berkshire Eagle, you can now easily tap into this local resource.

Whether you are business owner who would like the added value of live music at your establishment or maybe an individual or organization planning a special event, you can find the right musician at berkshireeagle.com/bands.

The Berkshire Eagle’s Berkshire Band site is searchable by genre, and links you with each performers contact information and website. Musicians are listed by the following genres Blues, Folk/Acoustic, Jazz, Rap, Rock and Other.

Musicians interested in becoming part of the Berkshire Bands directory, please send listing information, photo and link to your website to: lchaput@berkshireeagle.com.

Do you have an item you would like to share about the creative economy? Suggest a Post to Berkshire Creative!

Workforce Training Fund: Another Resource for Your Creative Economy Business

Published: December 24, 2008Posted in: FOR PROFIT RESOURCES, NON PROFIT RESOURCES, RESOURCESTags: , , , ,

picture-12The Workforce Training Fund (WTF), offered by the Department of Workforce Development, provides grants to train new employees or to upgrade the skills of existing employees.

Grants in the manufacturing industry have usually averaged $1,100 – $1,500 per employee, and are capped at $1 million.

The WTF has no income requirements and companies applying to the program for the first time receive preference. Companies typically meet a match requirement through the salaries of employees as they provide or receive the training funded by the grant.

The Commonwealth Corporation provides no-cost assistance to help ensure the quality of final application. A WTF grant requires approval of the Workforce Training Fund Board. Visit www.mass.gov/wtf for more information.

There are also Safety Training Funds available, for specific trainings around hazards.Visit www.mass.gov/dia for more information.

To find more information on resources available to help you do better business in the Berkshires visit Berkshire Creative’s Resource Page!

Do you have an item you would like to share about the creative economy? Suggest a Post to Berkshire Creative!

Careers in the Creative Economy

Published: December 23, 2008Posted in: ARCHIVES, JOB ARCHIVETags:

photoCheck out these career opportunities in the Creative Economy!

Marketing Director, Barrington Stage Company

Development Associate, Bennington Museum

e-Business Project Leader, Crane & Company

Online Campaign Coordinator, Free Press

Teacher-Vocational/Cosmotology, Pittsfield Public Schools

Third Grade Teacher,  Pittsfield Public Schools

Do you have an item you would like to share about the creative economy? Suggest a Post to Berkshire Creative!

ECONOMIC INITIATIVES

Published: December 23, 2008Posted in: FEATURES 2, INITIATIVESTags:
ECONOMIC INITIATIVES

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BERKSHIRE GALLERY GUIDE

Collaborative marketing effort, spearheaded by Berkshire Creative, Berkshire Living Magazine and the Berkshire Visitors Bureau, which resulted in the first annual countywide guide to contemporary Berkshire art galleries and museums.

Click here to view and download the 2009 Gallery Guide online!

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Untitled2CREATIVE CHALLENGE

Connects designers and innovators with Berkshire-based manufacturers interested in producing new creative products or refining/improving existing products.

Click here to learn more about the first Creative Challenge at Interprint!

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BERKSHIRE FILM AND MEDIA COMMISSION*

Film and media professionals organized around the support, growth and increase of opportunities in the Film and Media sector of the Berkshire Creative Economy.

Click here to visit the Film Commission’s Website!

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BERKSHIRE MADE*

Cooperative effort by a select group of Berkshire artisans to promote their high quality, locally made creative work.

Click here for more information!

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BERKSHIRE FIELD TRIP INITIATIVE

Collaborative effort to create an online one stop shop for cultural field trip opportunities in the Berkshires. Coming Soon!

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COUNTYWIDE FESTIVAL

Initiative to create an annual countywide arts and lifestyle festival in the spring shoulder season. Coming Soon!

Pittsfield to be Honored with Commonwealth Award

Published: December 22, 2008Posted in: LOCAL NEWS, NEWS BULLETIN, STATE NEWSTags:

1219255056_9Pittsfield Mayor James M. Ruberto to accept Massachusetts Commonwealth Award on behalf of the city of Pittsfield January 13, 2009 at Massachusetts State House. Pittsfield native, Elizabeth Banks, to give keynote address.

Presented every two years by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the Commonwealth Awards honor individuals and organizations that have made extraordinary contributions to our communities, our economy, and our quality of life in Massachusetts.

Pittsfield is one of six recipients to be honored this year. Berkshire Eagle Staff writer, quotes Pittsfield Director of Cultural Development, Megan Whilden as stating that “This is really important recognition, showing we are a creative community….We’ve been working in Pittsfield the past five years to promote and grow a cultural community.”

Mr. Lindsay goes on to quote Massachusetts Cultural Council Executive Director, Anita Walker as saying that “Pittsfield is investing in its natural cultural resources,” Walker said. “You can’t recreate these things.”

This years keynote speaker will be Pittsfield native and Actress Elizabeth Banks (W., Role Models).

Click here to read the Berkshire Eagle article”Pittsfield culture wins prestige!”

Click here for information about attending the the upcoming commonwealth awards in Boston!

Do you have an item you would like to share about the creative economy? Suggest a Post to Berkshire Creative!

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