Berkshires Gets $200K in State Grants to Boost Housing, Conservation & Development

Print Story | Email Story
PITTSFIELD, Mass. The Healey-Driscoll Administration has awarded over $2.1 million in grant funding through the Planning Assistance Grant Program, with a significant portion benefiting communities in Berkshire County. 
 
These grants, administered by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA), aim to improve community land use practices by promoting conservation, sustainable housing and economic development, and climate resilience. The Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC) is the applicant for most of these local projects, providing crucial support for efficient land use, increased housing options, and climate change initiatives.
 
Specifically, the following Berkshire County communities and projects have received funding:
  • Berkshire County (200-300 locations): The Berkshire Regional Planning Commission has been awarded $37,500 for a Priority Redevelopment Sites Strategy for Berkshire County.
  • Great Barrington: The Berkshire Regional Planning Commission has received $37,500 for a Priority Redevelopment Sites Strategy for Berkshire County.
  • Lee: The Berkshire Regional Planning Commission has been granted $41,250 for Downtown Zoning Modernization.
  • Pittsfield: The Berkshire Regional Planning Commission has secured $41,250 for an Open Space and Recreation Plan Update.
  • Sheffield: The Berkshire Regional Planning Commission has been awarded $32,900 for Housing Planning Implementation.
  • Pittsfield: The City of Pittsfield has also received a separate grant of $23,900 for a Community Food System Study.
"This funding will help our communities plan to grow, develop, and conserve," said EEA Secretary Rebecca Tepper. "We are giving local leaders the tools to work with residents and experts, helping them to develop practical plans that improve land use and increase housing options." 
 
The Planning Assistance Grant Program will also help local governments engage the public and find expert help. This support allows municipalities to implement smart land use practices that align with Massachusetts' Sustainable Development Principles and comply with the Zoning Act.

Tags: grants,   

Share
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Soccer Hall of Fame Adds Members, Awards Scholarships

Community submission
PITTSFIELD, Mass. -- The 2026 CIAO Soccer Hall of Fame induction ceremony took place at Berkshire Hills Country Club on Thursday.
 
The Hall of Fame's mission is to preserve the sport's history in Berkshire County, to honor excellence within the game and to make a connection between the generations that bring communities together. With players who last played on a soccer field in Berkshire County in the 1960s to the scholarship winners at the banquet on May 14th who played their last high school game in the fall of last year, we are achieving our goal. 
 
It is worth noting that this class of inductees is stellar. We have four County MVP selections, 14 All-Berkshire selections, eight All-Western Mass selections and, and nine captain honors, five four-year varsity starters and one five-year varsity starter. 
 
The players were introduced by committee chairmen Al Belanger and Patrick West. The scholarship winners were introduced by Chris Dumas, a member of the CIAO Soccer Hall of Fame committee. The photographer for the evening was Ricco Fruscio. Over the past 21 years, the scholarships awarded to high school seniors in Berkshire County have topped $250,000.  
 
The 2026 Inductees:
Katie Dumas Sturm (Wahconah 2015) was a hard-nosed, and relentless four-year starter for Wahconah. She was a two-year captain in the middle of the field, scoring and assisting on clutch goals in big games. She was rewarded with being named All Berkshire, and All Western Mass in her senior year. She is married to Brent Sturm (who is also being inducted into the hall of fame this year) and has a son Banks and a 7-week-old Everett Michael. She works at General Dynamics. 
 
Brent Sturm (Wahconah 2009) was named to the All Berkshire Team in both his junior and senior years and won a Western Mass championship during his time at Wahconah. He also went on to have a stellar career at Wentworth Institute. He and his wife, Katie, are the first husband and wife inductees into the CIAO Soccer Hall of Fame in the same year.  After college, he helped coach the Wahconah Soccer and basketball teams. He works at General Dynamics.
   
Nicole Gamberoni (Lenox 2019) was an impact player on her team for five years while at Lenox making All-Berkshire teams four times. She was captain twice, finished with 107 points, and was the league MVP two times. She also went on to play soccer at AIC. She is working at Lenox High School while she is getting her master’s degree. 
View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories

Real Estate
image description

New Friday Front Porch Feature: Lakefront Living on Pontoosuc

Real Estate
Community News
image description

Pittsfield ConCom OKs Shrubbery at Pontoosuc Lake

Community News
Sports & Outdoors
image description

Steel Rail Races Return Sunday, Route 8 Motorists Use Caution

Sports & Outdoors
Community News
image description

Pittsfield Nearing the End of $40M ARPA Program

Community News
Community News
image description

Tax Exemption Proposed for St. Joseph's Housing Project

Community News
Green
image description

Berkshire County Grangers Hear of National Endeavors

Green
Latest Stories
Previous Next

What's Trending?