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North Adams Chamber

Issue #72 | Friday, April 21, 2023
Welcome to the Berkshires Marketing Video

1Berkshire launched a new promotional video for Berkshire County.
Click here to view the full clip.

May's FIRST Friday event is focused on celebrating Spring and the coming warm weather and good vibes by embracing FLOWER POWER, and celebrating on the streets and sidewalks. Eagle Street will be closed to car traffic for the evening, and lots of activities will be available on the street.

Put on your floral outfits and help spruce up our flower beds, help create a floral chalk mural, enjoy dance and music performances, and visit our downtown businesses!

Several of our downtown shops, galleries, restaurants, and our First Friday crew will be organizing events focused on spring.

Theme-related events taking place:

-The First Baptist Youth Group and NAMAzing Initiative will lead a cleanup and replanting of grass and flowers in the Eagle Street pocket park. If you are willing to help, meet them under the Mohawk marquee at 5:00pm.

-North Adams' dysFUNKcrew dance group will help us celebrate Flower Power as well as their 10th anniversary with a variety of dances and beats on the street at 8:00pm.

For more information visit nachamber.org/firstfridays.

North County Happenings

>>Monthly Events<<

Every First Saturday | 9-1 p.m. | North Adams INDOOR Market at Terra Nova

Every Friday | 8-close | Karaoke at State Street Tavern
Every 1st & 3rd Sunday | 7 p.m. | Karaoke Night at The Log in Williamstown
Every Friday | 6-8 p.m. | Common Craft Night at Common Folk
Every Friday | 4 p.m. | Bingo at North Adams Elks Lodge
Every Other Wednesday | 6 p.m. | Trivia at Bright Ideas Brewing
Every 1st & 3rd Thursday | 7 p.m. | Live DJ Lounge at Bright Ideas Brewing
Every 2nd Monday of the Month | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Free Pregnancy Loss Support Group | Movement Matters Healing Arts
Now On View: Megan Karlen/Conscientious Cloth, β€œFlax is Linen” Window Display | 77 Main St.
First in a series of fiber installations to amuse and educate. Free sidewalk viewing. 

Upcoming

April 21-30 | MCLA and MAC Presents: Urinetown: The Musical
April 22 | 9 a.m. | North Adams Community Clean Up Day | Noel Field

April 22 | Linda Sikora: DARKENING GROUND | Exhibition Opening at Ferrin Contemporary
April 22 & 29 | 11:30-12:30 Bouncing Babies | Miss Emilee ECE | North Adams Library

April 25 | 10 a.m. | Let’s Talk About Food Waste Webinar | 1Berkshire, Tommy’s Compost Service, Recycling Works Massachusetts

April 25 | 4:30 p.m. | 1Berkshire Entrepreneurial Meet-up at Canna Provisions
April 26 | 6 p.m. | North Adams Pride Organizer Meet-and-greet | Bright Ideas Brewing
April 26 | 6 p.m. | Trivia Night at Bright Ideas Brewing

April 26 | 7-9 p.m. | Your Vision in Action | Psychodrama Session at Anahata Schoolhouse

April 27 | 5-7 p.m. | Assets for Artists Open Studios 
April 28 | 7 p.m. | April 30 at 4 p.m. | Live Music at Bright Ideas Brewing
April 28 | 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. | Grand Opening of Bigg Daddy’s Philly Steak House

April 28 | 6 p.m. | Wine & Beer Tasting at Bounti Fare Restaurant

April 28 | 8 p.m. | Ravyn Lenae at MASS MoCA

April 29 | 11 a.m. | 9th Annual Live Out Loud Conference | MCLA
April 29 | 6 p.m. | 5 Year Celebration | Artsy Avenue
April 29 | 6 p.m. | Future Lab[s] Gallery Closing Reception

April 29 | Healthy Kids Day at Northern Berkshire YMCA

May 6 | Opening of Greylock Yoga at Greylock Works

May 6 | 7:30 p.m. | Live Comedy at Bright Ideas Brewing

May 6 | 7 p.m. |  Rising Glass Brewing Fundraiser Dinner/Party | Historic Beaver Mill

FREE ServSafe Courses at Berkshire Community College

Berkshire Community College has the following 100% FREE certifications available for ANYONE in the industry looking to prepare themselves for the upcoming season.   

ServSafe Food Handlers

ServSafe Allergens

ServSafe Alcohol

 

***ServSafe Managers: 30 ARRIVING 5/1/2023***

 

(*** ServSafe manager courses are on order and will be live and available for registration on May 1st, 2023.  Please register TODAY to reserve your spot.)

 

All of these certifications are available ONLINE at any time and can be an easy task to best prepare for the upcoming season.    

Click here TO REGISTER to choose your course

 

Choke Saver Certification

 

Industry Professionals will require CHOKE SAVER Certification to have at least 1 person in house at all times.  BCC has partnered with the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission to organize FREE (there’s that word again) sessions since January and we have 2 more open dates left. 

 

Click here to REGISTER!

Want your event listed? Submit the listing here

Funding Opportunities

Inclusive Recovery Grant Program

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has made $75,000,000 available to support small businesses negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This program targets businesses that focus on reaching markets predominantly made up of socially and economically disadvantaged and historically underrepresented groups, underserved markets, and those owned by minorities, women, veterans, immigrants, first-generation immigrants, disabled individuals, or those that identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community. MGCC will administer grants up to $75,000 for eligible small businesses, in a geographically equitable manner. 

DEADLINE APRIL 28

This project is being supported by federal award number SLFRP1025 awarded to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. These funds were appropriated through the Commonwealth’s FY2023 Economic Development Bill. 

A business and/or business owner will be ineligible for this grant program if they have received a grant from MGCC in 2022 or 2023, with the exception of a grant from Biz-M Power or Empower Digital, including: 

  • New Applicant Grant Program 

  • Inclusive Grant Program 

  • 2023 Inclusive Funding Opportunity 

 

To download and review full details on the program's rules and eligibility requirements, click here: 

Inclusive Recovery Grant Program Overview & Required Documentation

Independent Movie Theater Grant Program

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has made $3,000,000 available to support movie theaters in the Commonwealth negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This program targets movie theaters in the Commonwealth that: (a) have had not less than $15,000 in box office ticket sales in calendar year 2019, (b) have experienced a decline in box office sales between calendar year 2019 and subsequent years, or portions thereof, of 40 percent or more: (c) be physically located in the Commonwealth; and (d) have no current tax liens on record with the department of revenue at the time of application.

Priority shall be given to applicants with 4 screens or fewer and those headquartered in Massachusetts. 

Eligible applicants shall receive $15,000 per screen for each of the first 2 screens at a particular location and $10,000 per each additional screen at a particular location. 

This project is being supported by federal award number SLFRP1025 awarded to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. These funds were appropriated through the Commonwealth’s FY2023 Economic Development Bill. 

A business and/or business owner will be ineligible for this grant program if they have received a grant from MGCC in 2022 or 2023, with the exception of a grant from Biz-M Power or Empower Digital, including: 

  • New Applicant Grant Program 

  • Inclusive Grant Program 

  • 2023 Inclusive Funding Opportunity

    To download and review full details on the program's rules and eligibility requirements, click here:  Independent Movie Theater Grant Program Overview & Required Documentation

Biz-M-Power Updates

The program has increased the matching grant from a 1:1 match to a 2:1 match. This means businesses receive $2 from MGCC for every $1 raised in crowdfunding. There is approximately $5.8 million in funding still available. This program is open until June 30, 2023. Monthly reviews will be posted on MGCC Biz-M-Power website.

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

  • Apr 17 Grant | A4A Capacity Building Grant for MA artists

  • Apr 18 Grant | Anonymous Was A Woman Environmental Arts Grants

  • Apr 20 RFP | Office of Juvenile Justice

  • Apr 25 Grant | Whiting Foundation Creative Nonfiction Grant

  • Apr 28 Grant | Harpo Foundation

  • Apr 30 Prize | Pure Generation Art Prize

  • May 1 Grant | Aperture Fund Creator Labs Photo Fund 2023

  • May 10 Grant | Studio Potter Grants for Apprenticeships

  • May 16 Grant | Hopper Prize

  • May 17 Grant | Andy Warhol Foundation Arts Writers Grant

  • May 30 Grant | Collective Futures Fund 2023

  • Jun 8 Grant | MCC Festivals + Projects

  • Jul 23 Grant | Martha Boschen Porter Fund

  • Aug 1 Grant | Berkshire Taconic Artist Resource Trust (for individuals)

  • ongoing Grant | MGCC Digital Capabilities Grant

  • ongoing Grant | Hilary Teachout Covid-19 Relief Grant

  • ongoing Grant | The Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Grant

  • ongoing Grant | Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation Grants

  • monthly Awesome Foundation Grant

  • rolling Adobe Creative Residency Community Fund

  • rolling Independent Journalism Grant

  • rolling Eyebeam Center for the Future of Journalism

  • rolling Foundation for Contemporary Arts Emergency Grants

  • rolling Creative Capital x Skoll x Kickstarter Funds for Asian/Black/Indigenous/Latinx Creators

  • rolling A.P.E. Open Call for Project Proposals

  • rolling BridgeSong Fund: Emergency Relief for Women, Nonbinary, and Genderqueer Artists of Color

  • rolling New England Musicians Relief Fund

  • ongoing NEFA Grant Finder List

EVENTS

  • Mar 10-Apr 22 On View: Installation Space | Spectral Strata and Venus Spectra

  • Apr 20-May 14 On View: Liminal Spaces at Gallery 51

  • Apr 22-Jun 11 On View: Ferrin Contemporary | Linda Sikora: DARKENING GROUND

  • Apr 22 Ciarra's Travelin' Earth Day Show!

  • Apr 22 Urban Bush Women: Haint Blu at MASS MoCA

  • Apr 27 Open Studios at MASS MoCA

  • Apr 29 Queer Yoga Pop-Up at Wild Soul River

  • Apr 29 9th Annual Live Out Loud LGBTQIA+ Conference at MCLA

  • May 5 First Friday (North Adams)

  • May 6 Rising Glass Brewing Fundraiser at the Beaver Mill

  • May 7 Hoosic River Clean-Up with Mountain Warrior Conservation

  • May 13 Conrad Tao and Patrick Higgins live at the Clark

  • May 21 Hoosic River Clean-Up with Mountain Warrior Conservation

  • May 27 Phony Ppl at MASS MoCA

  • monthly Open Studios at Walkaway House

  • every 4th Wednesday: Writer's Group at Bear and Bee

  • 2nd Tuesday (monthly) Herbalist Meet-Up at Common Folk

  • weekly Berkshire Environmental Action Team Volunteer Opportunities

  • monthly events at Plant Connector

  • monthly events at Savvy Hive

  • weekly Common Craft Night at Common Folk

Workshops & Webinars

Did you know that Mass. Growth Capital Corporation currently has an inclusive recovery grant program that allows Massachusetts businesses to apply for up to $75k? Learn more next Monday at the Mass. Restaurants United Deep Dive.

Register here

The MGCC Inclusive Recovery Grant Program targets businesses that focus on reaching markets predominantly made up of socially and economically disadvantaged and historically underrepresented groups, underserved markets, and those owned by minorities, women, veterans, immigrants, first-generation immigrants, disabled individuals, or those that identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community.

MGCC will administer grants up to $75,000 for eligible small businesses, in a geographically equitable manner. The program is currently open for applications and the deadline closes on April 28th 2023.

Photographing Your Artwork w/ Mercedes Jelinek

Tuesday, May 2, 2023 | 2 - 4 PM | For  CT, MA & RI

Making a Plan in a Time of Uncertainty w/ Laura Baring-Gould

Tuesdays, May 9 & 16, 2023 | 2 - 4 PM | For Worcester County, MA

Portfolio Power / The Artist Portfolio w/ Anabel VΓ‘zquez Rodriguez

Wednesday, May 24, 2023 | 2 - 4 PM | For MA

Making a Plan in a Time of Uncertainty w/ Laura Baring-Gould

Thursdays, May 11, 18 & 25, 2023 | 2 - 4 PM | For CT & MA

 

The Brass Tacks of Writing Artist Grants w/ Beverly Army Williams NEW!

Wednesdays, May 31, June 7 & 14, 2023 | 11 AM - 1 PM | For MA

In The News

Mass Cultural Council Announces Second Round of Festivals & Projects Funding

At Mass Cultural Council, we believe that festivals and public projects play a vital role in building community and celebrating the vibrant cultural landscape of the Commonwealth. This year, Mass Cultural Council proudly announced 740 recipients of FY23 Festivals & Projects grants, totaling $1,850,000.


The next grant round of Festivals & Projects will support projects, festivals, and/or activities that are publicly available between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024. These awards of $2,500* will support outdoor performances, art workshops, public art projects, pop-up markets, small capital projects, art and nature hikes, regional food festivals, cultural celebrations – and more – across the Commonwealth.

Berkshire Cider Project Becomes B Corp

Why did we become a B Corp?
Our success depends on a strong local economy, resilient environment and empowered employee base. Even as a small, start-up company, we have made decisions to prioritize our values, even in some cases sacrificing profit for purpose. This certification is a meaningful external validation that we are on the right track. Thanks to our whole team, our partners and our customers for helping to make this happen.

We are a work in progress, and always have more to strive for as we grow. But, today we celebrate!

Some highlights:
Each year, we donate at least 2% of our revenue to non-profit organizations, a portion of which is employee directed.

We source locally as much as possible - more than 30% of our COGs spending is with suppliers located within 200 miles (or 322 km).

We have an allocated budget for external professional development opportunities for our employees.

We are a woman-owned company and more than 50% of non-managerial workers identify as women.

We offset our Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions and - as we grow, will aim to use additioanl energy saving practices and equipment.

We are transparent - primarily through our annual Sustainability Report.

What is a B Corp?
A certified B-Corp is a company that balances profit and purpose.

The certification looks across several categories, including the environment, workers, community, governance and customers to evaluate how a company seeks to have positive impact through its business model. It's like Organic certification but for a whole company.

By our count, we are JUST THE SECOND B Corp IN THE BERKSHIRES (shout out Willow Investment Management!), and one of just 78 B Corps in Massachusetts.

Globally, there are more than certified 6,000 B Corps, across 161 industries and 89 countries, but share one unifying goal - using business as a force for good. Some other B Corps that you might be familiar with include Cabot Creamery, New Belgium Brewing, King Arthur Flour, Participant Media and KickStarter.

Have questions?

We'd be happy to chat with you about our journey to certification! Shoot us an email at hi@berkshire-cider.com

Connect with Us!

North Adams Chamber Business Development Team
Marketing: Makayla-Courtney McGeeney
Business: Nico Dery
North Adams Chamber
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Our mailing address is: North Adams Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 344

North Adams Chamber of Commerce, 85 Main Street, North Adams, United States

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