Day: July 1, 2020

Pittsfield Cooperative Bank Supports Resilience Fund for Farmers

By
Daily News

PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Agricultural Ventures (BAV) announced it has been awarded a $5,000 grant from Pittsfield Cooperative Bank to support its Resilience Fund for Farmers.

This new fund was established in response to the COVID-19 crisis and the resulting impact on local farmers, who are hurting right now as stores, restaurants, and other income-generating avenues like farmers’ markets and CSA are closed or operating in different, logistically challenging ways due to the virus. Despite these challenges, many farmers are reaching out to contribute healthy food to the neediest among us and sell as much as they can directly to consumers.

The goal of the BAV Resilience Fund for Farmers is to support those who are experiencing business challenges as a result of COVID-19. Zero-interest, forgivable loans and grants will be provided to help farmers adapt to new realities, overcome significant income challenges, and ensure that farms remain viable and sustainable so they continue to meet demand for healthy, local foods.

In addition to working with individual farmers, BAV also hopes to support strategies that avoid costly duplication of effort among farmers, such as developing coordinated delivery services. The first grant from the fund helped Roots Rising to pivot and establish the Berkshire County-wide Virtual Farmers Market, which in its first eight weeks served 1,400 households, gave $18,000 to neighbors in need, and generated $50,000 in sales to support the local food system.

The grant from Pittsfield Cooperative Bank represents the first corporate support to the fund, which was established with a grant from a local family foundation.

“We are very grateful for this generous gift from Pittsfield Cooperative Bank to our Resilience Fund for Farmers. The grant will allow us to provide deeper support to our key constituents, the farmers who are providing our neighbors with fresh, healthy, and local food,” said Cynthia Pansing, BAV executive director.

J. Jay Anderson, president and CEO of Pittsfield Cooperative Bank, added that the bank “is proud to support the work of the Berkshire Agricultural Ventures and the Resilience Fund for Farmers during this extraordinary time. At a time when local food systems and healthy food is important to our communities more than ever before, we thank them for their work.”

State Announces Updated Travel Guidelines to Support COVID-19 Response

By
COVID-19 Daily News

BOSTON — The Baker-Polito administration announced new COVID-19 public health guidelines on travel and transportation.

Effective today, July 1, all travelers arriving to Massachusetts, including residents returning home, are instructed to self-quarantine for 14 days. This guidance does not apply to travelers from Rhode Island, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, New York, or New Jersey. Additionally, workers designated by the federal government as essential critical infrastructure workers are also exempt from this directive.

Travelers who are displaying symptoms of COVID-19 are instructed to not travel to Massachusetts.

All visitors and residents of Massachusetts are also reminded that the use of masks or face coverings in public places where individuals cannot socially distance from others remains required.

These new guidelines replace previously announced Massachusetts travel guidance. For national travel information, visit www.travel.state.gov.

Grant Funds Announced in Second Round of Relief and Resiliency Grant Program

By
Daily News

AMHERST — The Downtown Amherst Foundation announced that the second round of grants from the Relief and Resiliency grant program have been made available to 28 Amherst businesses from the retail, restaurant, and service sectors. The funding arrives as more businesses open up and prepare for in-store services, shopping, and dining.

Restaurants and eateries to receive awards are Arigato, Kaiju, Momo Tibetan, Oriental Flavor, Osteria Vespa, Sunset Grill & Pizza, Wheelhouse (a catering company located in the former Lumberyard restaurant space), and the Subways on Main Street and College Street (owned and operated by locals).

Retailers awarded are Dion Tack, J. Austin Antiques, Knowles Flower Shop, and Mystery Train Records. Salons, spas, and health clubs awarded are Global Cuts, Absolutely Hair, Amherst Extensions & Beauty Supply, Artressa Salon, Casimir Kocot Salon, Eliana’s Barbershop, Electrolysis by Athena & Lorraine, Elements Hot Tub & Spa, Hair by Harlow, Hair East, and Sandy’s Barber Shop. Service-sector awards go to Amherst Copy & DesignWorks, Hampshire Athletic Club, Fitness Together, and Paul’s Shoe Repair.

The funds help business owners and staff struggling with lower customer volume while navigating staffing, services, and fiscal obligations like paying suppliers, while staying healthy and safe. Kevin Grimard at Paul’s Shoe Repair, who has been in business for 32 years, taking over from his father, who opened in 1960, said, “I’ve done really well all these years in Amherst and never thought in my life something like this would happen.”

The fundraising effort has garnered more than $300,000, with generous recent donations from Applied Mortgage and the Amherst Rotary Club, along with numerous donations from residents.

The Downtown Amherst Foundation has secured personal protective equipment (PPE), and will distribute gallons of hand sanitizer, face masks, and gloves to Amherst businesses. Jay Paulo, owner of the Subway on Main Street, as well as a part-time EMT in Springfield, said the PPE is most welcome as supplies remain very limited.

The town of Amherst was also able to secure a $10,000 grant from the Solomon Foundation, which it has awarded to the Downtown Amherst Foundation. The DAF will match this grant and will use it to purchase umbrellas and large planters for shade trees to enhance the outdoor dining experience. The Amherst Downtown Business Improvement District will be working with the Department of Public Works to string café lighting along the streetscapes to create a welcoming and vibrant nighttime setting.

To donate to the Downtown Amherst Foundation, visit downtownamherstfoundation.org or send a check to 35 South Pleasant St., Amherst, MA 01002.

Springfield College English Professor Finalist for Mass Cultural Council Artist Fellowship

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield College Associate Professor of English Justine Dymond has been selected by the Mass Cultural Council (MCC) Artist Fellowships Program as a finalist in the category of fiction/creative nonfiction on the strength of her lyrical essay titled “Brave of Worms.”

“I am so very excited with the news and the peer recognition that comes with the selection as a finalist for the MCC artist fellowship,” said Dymond, who joined the Springfield College humanities faculty in the fall of 2008. “I am thrilled to be in the company of the other finalists and fellows. Since it’s a statewide honor, you can imagine how competitive it is in Massachusetts, where so many amazing writers live and work. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve applied, and I’m still pinching myself I received this honor.”

Dymond teaches courses in writing and multi-cultural literature at Springfield College. Her short prose and poetry have appeared in numerous literary journals, including Massachusetts Review, Pleiades, Briar Cliff Review, and Cimarron Review. Her short story “Cherubs” was selected in 2007 for an O. Henry Award, a highly prestigious recognition in the art of the short story.

In 2018, she received the the Eludia Award presented by Hidden River Arts, an inter-disciplinary, independent arts organization located in Philadelphia, for her collection of stories titled The Emigrant and Other Stories. Forthcoming from Sowilo Press, the collection ranges widely in setting and era, including France during World War II, Maine in the early 18th century, and Tennessee in the 21st century.

BusinessTalk with Ray Berry

By
Business Talk Podcast

We are excited to announce that BusinessWest, in partnership with Living Local, has launched a new podcast series, BusinessTalk. Each episode will feature in-depth interviews and discussions with local industry leaders, providing thoughtful perspectives on the Western Massachuetts economy and the many business ventures that keep it running during these challenging times

Episode 6: July 1, 2020

Thom interviews Raymond Berry, Jr., President and General Manager of White Lion Brewing

Thom Fox interviews Raymond Berry, Jr., President and General Manager of White Lion Brewing. Thom and Raymond discuss COVID-19’s impact on the hospitality and beverage industry, how he and his peers are managing the pandemic, and when the new White Lion Tap Room will roar into Downtown Springfield.

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