This Week in North County

Issue #105 | Friday, February 9, 2024

Learn how you can grow your business with a FCCDC loan. You don't need to be ready to apply. This is an opportunity to learn and ask questions. RSVP at link below. Hope to see you there!

REGISTER

The North Adams’s Office of Tourism proudly announces the launch of its new tourism and community event website, DiscoverNorthAdams.com.

Its predecessor, ExploreNorthAdams.com, was founded well over a decade ago to help residents and visitors find local information and events more easily.

“With so many new events, activities, and other things to do popping up over the past several years in North Adams, we thought our tourism website needed a fresh start to help welcome and engage all residents and visitors to discover all that our community has to offer,” shared Mayor Jennifer Macksey.

The new website features listings for people seeking ways to explore their interests and enjoyment of North Adams from where to eat or shop to outdoor activities to joining new communities to experiencing art to wellness practices.

A new weekly newsletter will also be sent out every Sunday evening featuring all the events coming up for the week ahead. Sign up at https://www.discovernorthadams.com/upcoming.

“There is so much more going on in North Adams and North County than people realize, we want people to find ways to participate in our community that excites them,” said Lindsay Randall, executive assistant to the Mayor and manager of all community events.

There are plans to continue to add new features and content to the website based on feedback from the community. Have a suggestion? Email contact@discovernorthadams.com

Discover your version of North Adams now at DiscoverNorthAdams.com. Follow the North Adams Office of Tourism on Facebook and Instagram.

North County Happenings

Upcoming

Ongoing

Want your event listed? Submit the listing here

nbCC COMMUNITY FORUM SCHEDULE

March 14, 2024 | 4-6pm | Terra Nova Topic: “Promoting Emotional Intelligence & Self Awareness” Session

April 11, 2024 | 4-6pm | Terra Nova Topic: “Identity in Conflict” Session

MAY 9, 2024 | 4-6pm | Terra Nova Topic: “ Problem Solving & Negotiation” Session

Have you attended a community forum in 2023? Please take the survey here.

A truly fantastic moment is fast approaching…our 28th anniversary date of February 11!

When thinking about Mezze Bistro 1996 and where it is today: Mezze Bistro, Mezze Events, and now Mezze Guesthouse — we have our team to thank for the amazing growth and sustainability of our concepts.

Some employees are younger than our company, reminding us of our commitment to remain relevant and exciting to our guests and to be a desired employer for the best-rising hospitality professionals.

Breaking the Boot is a beautiful exercise of our values: exploring regional cooking and further understanding our connection to food and the table through family roots, all while engaging our curiosity to learn. It brings our guests experiences to come back to our tables for a new experience. It brings our team opportunities to reflect on how Italy's landscape and culinary traditions teach us how to understand and reflect on our own.

With the opening of Mezze Guesthouse, we combine the best of many worlds. This new limb of our tree pushes us to create moments of hospitality in a setting where we aren't physically present to create it. What a great challenge!

We hope you join us this weekend. Here's to many more anniversaries!

CELEBRATE WITH US

Friday, February 9 — All about Amari with Taylor Nickles. Taylor was our manager at allium and has since worked in Boston at the Fox and Knife where he honed his love for Amari. Join Taylor in a free amari tasting from 5-7 PM! It's a fun, casual night to sip (or not) and enjoy Chefs Nick and Kevin's Central Italian fair.

Sunday, February 11 — Mezze turns 28! There are many surprises, including a pop-up Operatic performance by Erin Casey (soprano), Paul LaRosa (baritone), and Jesse Cohen-Greenberg (piano) and our Breaking the Boot Sunday Supper.

Wednesday, February 14 — Let Cupid capture your heart with a romantic dinner that could be paired with a cozy stay just steps above the Bistro's dining room.

All events are FREE to the public.

Details about the events for 2024 are to be announced soon but will include artists' and crafters' markets, horse-drawn wagon rides, Main Street bonfire, free ice skating, Children's Winter Carnival, and more. Stay tuned for details!

Here is the application for the 2024 Artisan Craft Fair Vendors:
https://cms9files.revize.com/.../2024%20Application%20for...

Here is the application for the 2024 Chowder Cook-Off:
https://cms9files.revize.com/.../2024%20Chowder...

Thank you to North Adams Police Department, North Adams Firefighters Local 1781, City of North Adams Public Works Department, North Adams Inspection Services, and Wire & Alarm!

Greylock WORKS' mini maker market returns!

Find a synergetic group of local artisan vendors set up inside the doors of our 135+ year old, stunningly renovated mill building.

Enjoy thoughtfully inspiring food from The Break Room while supporting local small businesses at this unique shopping experience.

Our winter season will be held every 1st and 3rd Sunday, February through April (Feb 4, Feb 18, March 3, March 17, April 7, and April 21), from 9:30am - 1:30pm.

Find out more by visiting: https://greylockworks.com/mmm/

Innovation Lives #InTheBerkshires is a broad acknowledgement that technology and innovation are part of the Berkshire's industrious past, thriving present, and limitless potential. Click on the link below to listen to Episode #1: The Changing Workforce of the Innovation Lives #InTheBerkshires podcast series on Spotify, or find us wherever you get your podcasts. Stay tuned for new episodes about Advance Manufacturing and ClimateTech in the coming weeks!

Listen to the Podcast

Lunch & Learn: Canva for Beginners
Wednesday, February 21, 12-1pm
Wednesday, February 28, 12-1pm

The Print Shop Virtual Learning Lab

Registration: $20/class

Mastering technology is never easy, but we will be offering virtual training sessions on a number of software programs. Need to add some life to your event flyers, social media, presentations - we can help! Want to learn how to master mail merged letters, envelopes and labels - let us take you through it!

All are invited to attend our second annual Northern Lights Balls, produced by North Adams Pride. Dress to impress in your favorite look so you sparkle, glimmer, and shine!

Gracing us with their fabulous music, dance the night away with Berkshires’ own, DJ BFG, a.k.a Gabby Squailia.

Join your favorite local drag queens for magical performances throughout the night, including; Vuronika Baked, Jackie Legs, Gemini DaBarbay, Sativo Green and Poppy DaBubbly.

New to the scene, say hello to Liquid Courage Karaoke for some on-the-spot fun co-hosted by karaoke royalty Poppy DaBubbly and Disco.

Snacks for purchase by Doorprize & Hexagon Bagels.

A special thank you to the Elks Club and its members for the use of their facilities. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic libations will be available for purchase at the Elks bar.

Hope to see you grooving under the Northern Lights!

This event is 21+

*The event space isn’t fully accessible, however in an attempt to make the event more accessible, we will have some limited accommodations. If you plan to attend, and are in need of accommodations, please contact us when purchasing your tickets through Eventbrite.

TICKETS

Opportunities

Launch Your Business with CWE!

During both sessions you will have a chance to connect with other local resources like the Worcester Public Library, the City of Worcester and Chase Bank. We hope you will join us for one or both!

Steps to Start a Business

Tuesday, February 13 l 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

In this workshop you will gain an understanding of the process and requirements for starting a business from legal structures, how to choose and register a business name, obtain an EIN, and so much more! Register Online

Business Plan Basics

Tuesday, February 27 l 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

This workshop provides an overview of writing a business plan. We will review each section of a business plan, how to do market research and review the supports available to help you along the way! Register Online

Cultural Council of Northern Berkshire Funds 11 Northern Berkshire Municipalities

CCNB regrants funds from the Mass Cultural Council to individuals and organizations for projects in the arts, humanities and interpretive sciences. In addition, two individual artists are awarded $1000 each annually.

Eleven municipalities are represented. These municipalities are: Adams, Cheshire, Clarksburg, Florida, Hancock, Lanesborough, New Ashford, North Adams, Monroe, Savoy & Williamstown.

See the full list of receipients

Grant Opportunities

The following information details our current and upcoming grant opportunities supporting cultural sector individuals, organizations, and Massachusetts communities. Please take a minute to review, apply, and share these funding opportunities with your creative networks. If you have already applied to one or more programs - thank you!

We have indicated if the grant is for individuals and/or organizations. Depending on the program "organizations" may include cultural organizations, non-profits, schools, cities/towns, unincorporated groups or collaboratives, for-profits, etc. Visit the program guidelines for detailed eligibility information and to apply.

Festivals & Projects

OPENS: March 28, 2024 / DEADLINE: May 23, 2024

Who can apply: Organizations

Grants of $2,500 for organizations to fund public activities that incorporate the arts, humanities, or sciences.

Operating Grants for Organizations

OPENS: March 14, 2024 / DEADLINE: June 13, 2024

Who can apply: Organizations

NEW in FY24! Unrestricted general operating grants for Massachusetts-based, nonprofit cultural organizations with year-round operations offering public programming in the arts, humanities, or sciences. Grant amounts range from $6,000 to $60,000.

Other Opportunities

The following programs are not grant programs, there is no funding involved.

BIPOC-Centered Organization Self-Identification

Rolling Deadline

Who can apply: Organizations

If your organization is led by and serves Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), Latinx, Asian, Native American, Pacific Islander, and all other ethnicities of color — complete this self-identification form in advance of completing your grant application and help ensure that our BIPOC constituents are being more equitably served.

Card to Culture

Rolling Deadline

Who can apply: Organizations

Arts, humanities, and science organizations participating in this voluntary program offer free or steeply discounted admission to EBT, WIC, and ConnectorCare cardholders.

Additional Agency Offerings

Agency Dates

Stay informed about all our offerings with this complete list of key dates and deadlines for grant opportunities, convenings, and events.

Artist Opportunities

A way to find your next contest, artist residency, call to artists, publication, and more. New round-ups are published weekly.

Opportunities & Resources for Organizations

A monthly round-up of grants, technical assistance resources, and opportunities for creative and cultural organizations.

HireCulture.org

A free, online listing of creative employment opportunities in Massachusetts that includes administrative, production, volunteer and intern opportunities.

Thank you for all that you to do to harness and amplify the power of culture in Massachusetts. Mass Cultural Council is proud to partner with you in this effort. To stay engaged and well informed about our programs and services, follow us on social media -- @MassCultural -- or visitMassCulturalCouncil.org to sign up for our monthly e-newsletters.

This week, MASS MoCA's Assets for Artists program announced the application launch for not one but TWO upcoming Capacity-Building Program cohorts in Pittsfield and Fall River Massachusetts!

These Capacity-Building Programs for Pittsfield and Fall River artists of all disciplines pair an unrestricted micro-grant with professional development tools for artists to design and build their creative future.

Questions? Attend our live Q&A on Tuesday February 13, 2024 at 5PM.

Application due March 14

1Berkshire Selected as 1 of 65 Inaugural Economic Recovery Corps Fellowship Sites

1Berkshire, in partnership with the Berkshire Innovation Center (BIC), is excited to announce its selection as 1 of only 65 inaugural host locations across the country for the International Economic Development Council (IEDC)’s Economic Recovery Corps (ERC) Fellowship program. This program, supported by the United States Economic Development Administration, assigns and funds fellows to host organizations for 2.5 years of intensive, project-focused work with the goal of making a meaningful and lasting economic impact on the service area. 1Berkshire was selected from over 500 organizations and communities that applied to be a host for this inaugural ERC class, and is 1 of only 4 hosts selected in all of New England.

1Berkshire and the BIC have focused the work of their fellow around several of the goals outlined in their work with the Berkshire Tech Impact Collaborative, a joint endeavor of 1Berkshire, the BIC, and Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Berkshire Community College (OLLI). Since 2020, this trio of organizations has been focusing attention and efforts on better understanding, growing, and supporting the tech and digitally-enabled economy of the region, bolstered with additional support from the Center on Rural Innovation (CORI).

The 1Berkshire fellow, selected from an applicant pool from across the country, is already a familiar face in Berkshire County. Cody Chamberlain of North Adams was selected by the IEDC and matched with 1Berkshire over a five-month application process. With a dynamic background in tech and innovation startups in Boston, youth engagement, customer service, and program design, Cody brings not only skilled capacity, but additional thought leadership to the work of 1Berkshire and the Berkshire Innovation Center.

Cody will be working specifically around a set of functional areas that helps more inclusively grow the creative technology sector of the region by: supporting existing businesses, providing recruitment, technical assistance, and navigation for emergent startups, building partner and resource networks and referral systems, and engaging youth in startup development to foster workforce growth and entrepreneurial skill building for the next generation. Cumulatively this project’s work, branded the “Berkshire Next Generation Entrepreneurial Bridge Initiative,” will engage a breadth of regional and state partners, creating a powerful and sustained coalition. Ben Lamb, 1Berkshire Vice President of Economic Development, notes, “It is incredibly exciting to have been selected as part of this highly-selective program, and it just goes to show that the potential and aspirations we hold here in the Berkshires are second to none.” He adds, “With Cody on board, we now have the deepened capacity to launch these focused initiatives and efforts forward, and make even more effective and inclusive impacts on the region’s innovation economy.”

To learn more about the national announcement of the ERC program, please visit iedconline.org/ERC-cohort

Connect with Us!

North Adams Chamber Business Development Team
Marketing: Makayla-Courtney McGeeney
Business: Nico Dery

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