Community Development Corporation of South Berkshire Welcomes Two New Board Members

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GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The Community Development Corporation South Berkshire (CDCSB) announced the appointment of two new members to its Board of Directors: Mark Blumkin and Timothy Prinz. 
 
Both bring professional expertise and a shared commitment to strengthening communities through expanded opportunity, economic vitality, and access to affordable housing.
 
"Mark and Tim each bring deep experience that will help guide the CDCSB's work as we expand affordable housing opportunities and strengthen the small business ecosystem across South Berkshire County," said Jim Harwood, Board Chair. "Their insight will help ensure our projects are both impactful and sustainable for the long term."
 
Mark Blumkin brings more than four decades of experience advising on capital construction projects, with particular expertise in project planning, delivery strategies, and cost-effective implementation. As Principal of MSB Advisors LLC, he supports organizations in delivering complex projects on time and within budget. His career includes more than 30 years with leading professional services firms, as well as roles with the City of New York and an engineering consulting firm. A Berkshires resident for nearly a decade, Blumkin is committed to advancing affordable housing solutions that support the region's workforce and long-term economic health.
 
Timothy Prinz is a public health and health policy expert with nearly 20 years of experience translating research into effective policy and programs that improve outcomes for underserved populations. His work has spanned national health reform efforts, nonprofit leadership, and academic research. Dr. Prinz has held senior roles with organizations including The Children's Health Fund, the United Hospital Fund, and the Blue Sky Health Initiative at UCLA, where he contributed to policy ideas incorporated into the Affordable Care Act. He holds a Ph.D. in political science from Harvard University and has taught American politics at the University of Virginia.
 
The CDCSB works to strengthen South Berkshire communities by developing affordable and workforce housing, supporting small businesses, and advancing initiatives that promote economic opportunity and community stability. 
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Lee Breaks Ground on Public Safety Building

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

Lee Town Administrator Chris Brittain says the community voted to invest in its future by approving the new $37 million complex. 

LEE, Mass. — Ground was ceremonially broken on the town's new public safety building, something officials see as a gift to the community and future generations. 

When finished, Lee will have a 37,000 square-foot combined public safety facility on Railroad Street where the Airoldi and Department of Public Works buildings once stood. Construction will cost around $24 million, and is planned to be completed in August 2027.

"This is the town of Lee being proactive. This is the town of Lee being thoughtful and considerate and practical and assertive, and this project is not just for us. This project is a gift," Select Board member Bob Jones said. 

"This is a gift to our children, our grandchildren."

State and local officials, including U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, gathered at the site on Friday, clad in hard hats and yellow vests, and shoveled some dirt to kick off the build. 

Town Administrator Chris Brittain explained that officials have planned and reviewed the need for a modern facility for the public safety departments for years, and that the project marks a new chapter, replacing 19th-century infrastructure with a "state-of-the-art" complex.

"The project is not just about concrete and steel, it's a commitment to the safety of our families, the efficiency of our first responders, and the future of our community," he said. 

He said he was grateful to the town's Police, Fire, and Building departments for their dedication while operating out of outdated facilities, and to the Department of Public Works, for coordinating site preparation and relocating its services. 

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