What’s New
ADU Design Challenge Winners Announced
The Healey-Driscoll Administration launched the statewide challenge with a clear goal: make it easier, more affordable, and more inspiring for property owners to build ADUs. Now, the results are in—and they’re worth a look. The newly released ADU Design Challenge Showcase highlights a collection of winning and qualified designs that bring creativity, flexibility, and practicality together.
Free Workshop to Boost Summer Visitor Engagement
Get ready for summer visitors at a free one-hour workshop on May 14 at Wild Soul River in Williamstown. Learn practical skills to engage customers, read cues, and turn casual visits into meaningful conversations that strengthen connections and share your business story.
New $25K Down Payment Assistance Available for First-Time Homebuyers
There’s good news for aspiring homeowners across Massachusetts—including here in the Northern Berkshires. MassHousing has expanded its homebuyer assistance program, making up to $25,000 in interest-free down payment support available to more first-time buyers.
Mastic Opens on Eagle Street
A new shop is adding a quirky, creative touch to North Adams. Mastic, opened April 3 by Jared Shockcor, offers “a little weird” mix of home goods, vintage finds, books, and locally made products with a metaphysical twist.
Apply for a Creative Experiences Grant!
Mass Cultural Council’s Creative Experiences provides grants to organizations, creative businesses, government entities, and schools to fund festivals, projects, residencies, and other cultural activities in the arts, humanities, and sciences.
April is Volunteer Month!
April is a time of renewal—longer days, fresh energy, and a chance to reconnect with what matters most. It’s also the perfect moment to give back. That’s why April is recognized as Volunteer Month: a call to action for individuals, businesses, and organizations to step up and support their communities in meaningful ways.
Home Modification Loan Program for Landlords
When people hear about the Home Modification Loan Program (HMLP), they often assume it’s designed only for individual homeowners. While it’s true that HMLP helps families make critical accessibility upgrades, many don’t realize that this program is also a powerful tool for small landlords.
MASS MoCA Art Futures Benefit & After Party
As MASS MoCA’s Art Futures Benefit winds down, join us to dance the night away at our high-energy, outdoor after party featuring music by DJs Cooper Gangemi and Sören Smedvig, and immersive, large scale projections by artist Pamela Hersch.
Small Business Owners: Drop In, Get Expert Help, and Grow
Join the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center for an open session meet-and-greet at BIC Works @ MASS MoCA in North Adams. This flexible three-hour event invites small business owners and entrepreneurs to drop in at their convenience, connect with advisors, and learn about available resources.
Register Your ArtWeek Event—Deadline May 1!
Welcome to ArtWeek Berkshires! Individuals and organizations throughout the county are invited to take part in this multi-day festival of creativity. Enter a performance, studio visit, gallery show or talk—anything creative that includes an experiential component!
MA ADU Incentive Program
The ADU Incentive Program, led by Massachusetts Housing Partnership in collaboration with Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, supports homeowners building accessory dwelling units through outreach, education, and technical and financial assistance, helping advance projects while expanding housing options statewide.
Register: Small Business Resource Expo
The Berkshire/Western Massachusetts Small Business Resource Expo returns May 21, 9 AM–3 PM at the Stationery Factory in Dalton. This free event connects entrepreneurs with expert advice, offering a one-stop hub to help businesses start, grow, and thrive across the region.
ADU Financing Resources
At our ADU Financing 101 panel, attendees explored local financing options for building accessory dwelling units. Myla Franklin and Brett Roberts highlighted loan programs, energy-efficiency incentives, and flexible lending tools that help homeowners create new housing opportunities in their communities.
Grants Boost Local Business Ecosystem
Great news for North Adams’ small business community! Door Prize, Lickety Split, and The Plant Connector have all secured grant funding to fuel growth and improvements—from enhanced dining spaces to new equipment and a mobile plant cart. Plus, Assets for Artists received $80,000 to expand support for entrepreneurs, strengthening the local creative economy.
ADU Financing 101
Join our ADU Financing 101 webinar to learn about Massachusetts’ new ADU financing program, home equity strategies, and low-interest loans for ADUs—plus eligibility, real-world options, and next steps.
Small City, Big Stories Launches in Partnership with NBCTC
Small City, Big Stories celebrates the people and projects driving downtown North Adams forward. Hosted by Jenny Wright, Executive Director of the North Adams Partnership, and produced with Northern Berkshire Community Television Corporation, each episode highlights the creativity, innovation, and community spirit that make North Adams so special.
Berkshire Innovation Center Hosts Small Business Support Seminar
Local entrepreneurs gathered at Berkshire Innovation Center to connect with partners, access guidance and capital, and learn they’re not alone.
MassHousing Announces New ADU Construction Loan Program
MassHousing will offer a new ADU loan program providing fixed-rate second mortgages—up to $250,000 for detached and $150,000 for attached units—to help low- and moderate-income homeowners build accessory units.
Massachusetts Launches ADU Design Challenge
Governor Maura Healey today announced a new statewide campaign to make it easier and more affordable for residents to build accessory dwelling units (ADUs) — and North Adams is already ahead of the curve!
Small & Smart Design Award Ceremony
Congratulations to the winners of the Small & Smart Design Awards! Fifty creative submissions—including outstanding student designs—highlighted innovative, small-scale housing solutions. See the winning ADU concepts online!