Berkshire Restaurants Awarded MassDevelopment Grants

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Pittsfield restaurants  Marie's North Street Eatery, BB's Hot Spot and Mazzeos were awarded grants along side North Adams restaurant Bigg Daddy's.
 
MassDevelopment announced $900,000 in grants from the Food Insecurity Grant Program for Independent Restaurants, a program in which independent restaurants in Massachusetts receive funding to prepare and supply meals and other food products for nonprofit meal distributors with the goal of helping address food insecurity in the state. 
  • Marie's North Street Eatery was awarded $13,000
  • BB's Hot Spot was awarded $11,420   
  • Mazzeos was awarded $10,000
  • Bigg Daddy's was awarded $34,200
A total of 31 restaurants received grants over the course of this year ranging from $7,000 to $45,000 to prepare and supply food to be delivered at no cost to food banks and pantries, senior centers, schools, and emergency food distribution centers supporting individuals and families in the Commonwealth. MassDevelopment contracted with Local Enterprise Assistance Fund and Franklin County Community Development Corporation to administer the grants and work with the restaurants to collect, deliver, and distribute the food.
 
"The benefits of the Food Insecurity Grant Program for Independent Restaurants are two-fold, strengthening our local restaurants and food-service supply chains while at the same time enhancing access to high-quality prepared meals and food products for those facing food insecurity in Massachusetts," said Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley, who serves as chair of MassDevelopment’s Board of Directors. "Through MassDevelopment, we are pleased to award $900,000 in grants to local restaurants across the state with the infrastructure, staff, capacity, and desire to produce meals and other food products for individuals and families in need."
 
The Food Insecurity Grant Program for Independent Restaurants was created by the former Mass Growth Capital Corporation. In February 2025, Mass Growth Capital Corporation merged with MassDevelopment, which now administers the program. 

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Hinsdale OKs Police Department Audit After Fatal Shooting

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

HINSDALE, Mass. — The town has approved $25,000 for an administrative review of the police department, more than two months after police fatally shot 27-year-old Biagio Kauvil during a mental health crisis. 

Town Administrator Robert Graves said the shooting on Jan. 7 is not the only focus of the audit, and it will be several months before the Select Board receives a final report. 

During a special town meeting on March 11, an article appropriating $25,000 from free cash for an independent consultant to conduct a professional evaluation and audit of the Town's Police Department was approved. The audit includes a review of the department's policies, protocols, operations, and procedures, and concludes with a written report. 

"The Berkshire County District Attorney's Office and Massachusetts State Police are investigating the shooting, and we await their conclusions.  As we look to move forward, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, our insurance company (MIIA/Cabot Risk), and our legal counsel have recommended that the town hire an independent law enforcement consultant or firm to conduct a comprehensive administrative review of our police operation," Graves wrote in an email to iBerkshires on Friday. 

"This event is not their focus; they will assess the overall operation. We want a written assessment of our police operation's strengths and weaknesses to help Hinsdale make future changes and improvements." 

He said after completing the procurement process and signing a contract with a reputable consultant or business, it will most likely be several months before the Select Board receives the final report. 

"Still, it will help the town and police department move forward," Graves wrote. 

Last weekend, family and friends of Kauvil stood in Park Square asking for justice. A flier for the standout reads "Biagio was killed by police while experiencing a mental health crisis. Now, over seven weeks later, authorities have not yet provided any updates.

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