Central Berkshire Habitat For Humanity Joins Rural Rally

10:40AM / Monday, October 27, 2025Print Story | Email Story

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — This Oct. 31, Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity (CBHFH) will join Habitat for Humanity International's first-ever Rural Rally, a nationwide initiative highlighting the urgent need for affordable housing in rural America.

The Rural Rally coincides with the 39th annual Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project, honoring the enduring legacy of President and Mrs. Carter and their decades-long commitment to Habitat for Humanity's mission of building homes, communities, and hope.

CBHFH's participation centers on its effort to create a 20-home neighborhood off North Plain Road in Housatonic—one of the most significant affordable housing developments in Southern Berkshire County.

For years, the Town of Great Barrington has envisioned turning this 7.25-acre parcel into an inclusive neighborhood that supports the people who work in the community. The region's economy depends on arts, culture, entertainment, and tourism—yet the workers who sustain these industries, along with teachers, healthcare professionals, and essential service providers, are increasingly being priced out of the area, stated a press release.

Over the past decade, South County has seen a sharp rise in second-home ownership, a surge in short-term rentals, and increaseing housing costs. These pressures have displaced much of the local workforce, leaving small businesses and essential services struggling to retain employees.

"The creation of this 20-home community in Housatonic is a landmark effort to address one of the most urgent challenges facing Southern Berkshire County—the lack of affordable housing for essential workers and families," said CBHFH CEO Carolyn Valli.

With land set aside by the Town of Great Barrington and the Great Barrington Affordable Housing Trust, these 20 single-family homes will offer stability and opportunity for working families who might otherwise be forced to leave the area.

The state and town have already completed substantial infrastructure work, and the first of three construction phases is well underway.

On Oct. 31, two longtime Women Build volunteer teams—Greylock Federal Credit Union's crew and Team Pretty Tough, which includes two CBHFH Board members—will join CBHFH's professional Construction Team, this year's AmeriCorps cohort, and experienced core volunteers for the Carter Build Day at Prosperity Way. Together, they will install siding and build porches on the first six homes.

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Greenagers Founder Will Conklin Honored as Business Person of the Year

By Breanna Steele12:17PM / Saturday, October 03, 2026

Casey Pease of state Sen. Paul Mark's office presents William Conklin, right, with a state Senate proclamation.

EGREMONT, Mass. — The Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce honored a local businessman and nonprofit leader on Sept. 24 at Catamount Mountain Resort.

William Conklin was this year's Business Person of the Year, recognizing his work as founder and executive director of Greenagers, a nonprofit that helps youth and children engage in work in environmental conservation, sustainable farming, natural resource management, and vocational skills building.

Conklin and his family also run Sky View Farm and he is a managing partner of Konkapot Tree and Timber, a small-scale forest products business.

"If you spent any amount of time in Southern Berkshire, chances are you've heard his name, whether you realize the connection at the time or not," said board member Sierra King Watson, who emceed the event. "You might be having a conversation about farming, a new barn or structure that was built, students learning hands-on skills in sustainable agriculture, or a family that receives donated firewood to help keep their home warm through a cold Berkshire winter, or maybe you're simply talking about one of those community leaders who somehow manages to show up, support everyone, and seemingly be everywhere all at once.

"Well, one name has a way of continuously popping up, and that is Will Conklin."

Board President Mark Rulison said the region has more than 1,200 nonprofits. One in four jobs in the county is in the nonprofit sector, which ranks 27th nationally for nonprofit employment. He said the economic impact on the community is huge, thanking those who help.

For the event on Thursday, Conklin requested that as much of the food as possible was sourced locally. Most of it came from Greenagers, Sky View Farm, Indian Line Farm and Fancy Feast Supper Club, creative dinner series.

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