BIC Awarded Climatetech Business Development Grant

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Mass Clean Energy Center announced over $2 million in awards through its Innovation Ecosystem Program (IEP) to 10 Entrepreneur Support Organizations (ESOs) in six communities across the state. The funding will help accelerators, incubators, universities, and other business development organizations expand hands-on programming that moves early-stage climatetech startups from idea to market, strengthening business readiness, sharpening commercialization pathways, and accelerating growth within Massachusetts’ innovation ecosystem.
 
In Berkshire County, the Berkshire Innovation Center (BIC) was awarded $120,000.
 
"Massachusetts has always led by bringing together bold ideas and the people who can turn them into real-world solutions," said Governor Maura Healey. "These investments help ensure that entrepreneurs have the support they need to grow here, create jobs here, and deliver technologies that make life better."
 
he IEP is designed to support ecosystem business development activities that advance climatetech startups through their commercialization life cycle. The program invests in ESOs, such as accelerators and incubators, that provide critical technical assistance, mentorship, and networks that improve both the likelihood and the speed of startup success. These organizations play a critical role in helping early-stage companies pressure-test ideas, refine technologies, validate market fit, and clear early commercialization hurdles faster.
 
In addition to operational expense funding, these awards include targeted fellowship funding at select organizations to support Entrepreneur Fellowship Grants that translate research into climatetech businesses, products, and jobs across the energy, transportation, and buildings sectors.
 
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Pittsfield: No E-Bikes on Sidewalk

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— The city will place signage downtown to remind people that e-bikes are not allowed on the sidewalk. 

On Monday, the Ordinances and Rules subcommittee heard an update about e-bike enforcement in response to a petition from Councilor at Large Kathy Amuso and Ward 3 Councilor Matthew Wrinn. 

Commissioner of Public Services and Utilities Ricardo Morales confirmed that under Massachusetts law, it is illegal for any motorized bicycle, regardless of the class, to ride on the sidewalk. 

"So, at this point, we will start installing some signage in the North Street area," he reported. 

"Doing so for the whole city is going to be very cumbersome, and we're not going to be doing that, but I think there's something to be done in terms of education and outreach and enforcement citywide for that."

Pittsfield has begun to develop what that signage will look like in the downtown corridor. Amuso has received many complaints about the North Street and Elm Street areas; Morales said they could work to locate some key spots on Elm Street for signage. 

"I know it's a citywide problem, but I think if we start on North Street and work our way out and come up with a plan, that would be good," she said. 

The councilors petitioned to increase enforcement of bicycle and e-bike use on Pittsfield streets, install signage in high-traffic areas, and launch an educational program for kids. 

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