State's One Stop for Growth Open for Applications

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BOSTON — The Community One Stop for Growth application portal has opened for submissions for fiscal 2027. The portal is overseen by the Executive Office of Economic Development and provides a streamlined process for municipalities and organizations to apply for 14 state economic development grant programs. 

One Stop grant programs are administered by EOED, the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, and the quasi-public agency MassDevelopment. Programs in the One Stop offer direct funding and support to housing and economic development projects related to community activation and placemaking, planning and zoning, site preparation, building construction, and infrastructure. 

"The Community One Stop for Growth is about helping communities deliver for their residents," said Gov. Maura Healey. "It reflects our belief that strong local leadership, inclusive economic growth, and a high quality of life go hand in hand. By making state support easier to navigate, we're helping cities and towns build housing, strengthen downtowns, and create opportunity for people across Massachusetts."

Municipalities and organizations wishing to apply for funding through the One Stop may begin by participating in an Expression of Interest process beginning today. During this time, applicants may receive guidance on priority projects from EOED staff before submitting a full application. Applicants may begin working on their applications now in the application portal. EOED will accept full applications from May 4 through June 3, with awards announced in the fall. For more information and to learn how to apply, visit www.mass.gov/onestop. 

This year, the One Stop will add the Seaport Economic Council Grant Program to the application process. 

A full list of programs offered through the One Stop is available online.  

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

15 People Displaced in Pittsfield Home Fires

Staff Reports

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Fifteen people were displaced after 2-alarm home fires this weekend on Springside Avenue and Elaine Drive. 

On Friday evening, the Fire Department responded to a structure fire at 209 Springside Ave., which took a four-hour battle to extinguish and resulted in a partial roof collapse. The next day, on Saturday evening, crews knocked down a fire at 121 Elaine Drive in about an hour. 

The garage and part of the single-family home on Elaine Drive were gutted to the frame, along with a vehicle parked in the driveway. On Springside Avenue, the top level and porch of the multifamily were burned through.  

A GoFundMe has been started for the family of the Elaine Drive home, which includes several young children.  The fundraiser, with a $5,500 goal, explains they lost their home and all of their belongings. (iBerkshires.com does not confirm or endorse fundraisers; they are provided as information only.)

There were no civilian or firefighter injuries, and both incidents are under investigation.  One dog was rescued on Springside Avenue. 

On Oct. 10, around 6:15 p.m., PFD responded to the Springside Avenue home for a reported structure fire and saw a 2 1/2-story wood frame multifamily with a heavy blaze showing from the second-floor front porch, extending out. 

The building suffered a partial roof collapse, which prolonged extinguishment. The fire was brought under control after about four hours.

“An aggressive offensive attack was mounted by first arriving crews stretching hose lines into the building as well as primary searches that proved negative. Ladders were placed around the structure to provide access as well as escape if needed. An off-duty Fire Captain had also been on scene early in the incident to help evacuate the structure and rescue a dog,” PFD wrote in a press release. 

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