Governor Launches Business Builds Program

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BOSTON — The Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED) announced the launch of Business Builds, a new competitive capital grant program designed to support business expansion, job creation, and climate-friendly investment across Massachusetts.  
 
Created through the Mass Leads Act and administered by the Massachusetts Office of Business Development (MOBD), Business Builds provides strategic grants to businesses relocating to, expanding in, or creating new jobs in Massachusetts. The program is aimed at strengthening Massachusetts' competitiveness, accelerating private investment, and advancing projects that provide a clear public benefit, including job growth, revitalization of underutilized properties and economic growth in rural areas. 
 
"Massachusetts succeeds when businesses can grow, innovate and create jobs in every region of our state," said Governor Maura Healey. "Business Builds gives employers the support they need to modernize facilities, expand operations and invest with confidence right here in Massachusetts." 
 
Business Builds advances the Healey-Driscoll Administration's commitment to increasing Massachusetts' economic competitiveness while ensuring that public investments deliver meaningful public value. The program will complement existing tools such as the Economic Development Incentive Program to spur job creation, strengthen regional economies, and support capital investments in facilities and equipment. Through Business Builds, EOED aims to attract and retain businesses across Massachusetts, including in Gateway Cities, rural towns, and underutilized or redevelopment areas. 
 
Business Builds is a rolling program, and the next deadline to apply is February 4, 2026. For more information, visit www.mass.gov/info-details/business-builds-capital-grant-program.  
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Pittsfield Council Says 'Yes' to Soccer at Crane Park

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

The pitch will have the logos of the city and the US. and Massachusetts soccer associations. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city is gladly accepting a "mini-pitch" from the U.S. Soccer Foundation to bring games back to Crane Park. 

Fueling excitement around the World Cup, U.S. Soccer has been working with the Massachusetts Youth Soccer League to make these facilities available to 20 communities — one of which will be at the park at the intersection of Benedict Road and Springside Avenue. 

The City Council accepted the gift on Tuesday during its regular meeting. 

A mini pitch is a compact, modular field typically used for soccer, and it can also accommodate inline skates. It has a galvanized steel border with built-in goals and a rubber plastic surface that is clicked together; installed on the existing inline hockey court. 

Ward 2 Councilor Cameron Cunningham said he has gone door to door speaking with nearby residents, and they are "really excited" about the upgrade. He also sees it as a great addition. 

"They say that nobody really uses the court a ton now, and they are excited to see kids back on there playing," he said. 

Decades ago, the Crane Park facility was a wading pool. It closed in 1980, and before the turn of the century, it was filled in and marked for hockey. 

Parks, Open Space, and Natural Resources Manager James McGrath explained that the wooden border around the rink is showing its age, has been vandalized and tagged, and the facility is seeing a "real decline" in use. 

"This would seem to be an appropriate spot for us to remove the board system that's in place and install the mini pitch system through this grant," he said. 

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