Berkshire Film & Media Collaborative Awarded Cultural Facilities Grant

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Executive Director, Diane Pearlman and Senator Paul Mark
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Film & Media Collaborative (BFMC) has been awarded a $200,000 Cultural Facilities Fund (CFF) Capital Grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) and Mass Development. 
 
BFMC will use this grant to begin build drawings for the new international film education center proposed for the north end of the Elayne Bernstein Theatre complex on the grounds of Shakespeare & Company in Lenox.
 
BFMC Executive Director, Diane Pearlman, attended the celebration to hear the
announcement of the CFF Capital Grant in Easton. 
 
"We are thrilled with the continued support we have received from MCC/Cultural Facilities Fund for the KSS project – first for the feasibility study, then for architectural drawings and now to finish Phase 2 of the project and to plan and begin the final renderings of the build drawings," said Pearlman. "Their support has been significant in garnering interest and contributions from other individuals and organizations."
 
Kemble Street Studios is a mixed-use studio, lab, and classroom environment dedicated to education in the art and craft of filmmaking and media development. The center will offer hands-on learning for the young people in the region interested in training in the industry. It will also be a resource for local nonprofits and companies to become "video literate" and incorporate video in their branding, marketing, social media, and training. 
 
To date, BFMC has raised well over $500,000 dollars for this initiative.
 

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Pittsfield Announces a New Program to Help Fill Vacant Storefronts

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City of Pittsfield announced the availability of refundable state tax credits for businesses through the Massachusetts Vacant Storefront Program (MVSP). 
 
These credits are offered to companies that choose to occupy commercial spaces that have been vacant for at least six to twelve months.
 
The MVSP was established to support municipalities in revitalizing their downtown and commercial districts. By encouraging businesses to move into long-term vacant storefronts, the program aims to foster economic development and invigorate community spaces. Refundable tax credits serve as an incentive for businesses to fill key vacancies within a city's downtown or commercial area.
 
To further these efforts, the City of Pittsfield is collaborating with Downtown Pittsfield Inc. and the Berkshire Black Economic Council. These organizations are working alongside the city to assist businesses interested in occupying vacant storefronts, particularly in the downtown area and along the Tyler Street corridor.
 
For more details about the Massachusetts Vacant Storefront Program and how to participate, reach out to Justine Dodds at the City's Department of Community Development at jdodds@pittsfieldma.gov or 413-499-9368.
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