What’s New
Greenagers Conduct Accessibility Assessment of UNO Park
On July 28, Greenagers summer program students visited UNO Park for an accessibility assessment, joined by faculty mentors, municipal staff, and community members. Participants identified potential tripping hazards, evaluated path widths and maneuverability, and spent time and thought considering what truly makes a space usable for people with disabilities.
Sign up for the 70th Annual Fall Foliage Parade!
The Northern Berkshire Fall Foliage Parade is celebrating its 70th anniversary on Sunday, October 4, 2026—and this year’s theme is 70 Years in Motion: Time Traveling Through North Berkshire. Community members, businesses, and organizations are invited to bring their favorite era, historic moment, or vision of the future to life through floats, costumes, vehicles, and more. Ready to join the adventure? Sign up to participate and help make this milestone parade one to remember! You can also share your ideas for the 2027 parade theme through a short community survey.
Help Shape a More Resilient Northern Berkshire
The communities of Adams, Lanesborough, North Adams, and Williamstown are looking for up to six paid, part-time Community Liaisons to help ensure local voices are part of regional climate resilience planning. No climate experience is required—we’re looking for people with strong community connections who want to help make sure everyone has a seat at the table.
Say Hello to Downtown’s Newest Businesses!
Downtown North Adams just keeps getting better! We’re excited to welcome some new businesses that add to a growing list of reasons to explore downtown. Whether you’re looking for an unforgettable meal or a one-of-a-kind handmade hat, be sure to stop in, say hello, and support the newest members of our downtown business community.
MassDevelopment, Barr Foundation Partner to Launch Creative District Pilot in North Adams
Three-Year Pilot Program Will Provide Dedicated Staff Capacity, Technical Assistance, Flexible Funding, Arts and Culture Planning, and Other Resources to Support Equitable Economic Growth
UNO Park For All Kicks Off
The North Adams Partnership received a $15,000 AARP grant to revitalize UNO Park with age-friendly upgrades—safer paths, accessible seating, and better signage. McCann Technical School students and volunteers will lead the work, blending accessibility, sustainability, and hands-on learning. Construction begins this summer.
Northern Berkshire Business Meetup
The next Northern Berkshire Meetup will take place July 22 from 6–8 p.m. at Blue Vista Motor Lodge. Hosted by the North Adams Chamber of Commerce, this free monthly gathering welcomes business owners, entrepreneurs, artists, nonprofit and cultural workers, remote employees, and community members from across the Northern Berkshires. Attendees can connect informally, share updates and challenges, and build relationships across sectors.
DCR Seeks Public Input on Natural Bridge State Park Improvements
Learn about proposed improvements to Natural Bridge State Park in North Adams, Massachusetts, during a public meeting hosted via Zoom by the Department of Conservation and Recreation on July 8 at 6pm. Plans include accessibility upgrades, historic preservation work, enhanced visitor amenities, and new viewing areas. Public comments are welcome through July 22.
We’re a 2026 AARP Community Challenge Grantee!
The North Adams Partnership has been selected for a 2026 AARP Community Challenge grant to fund age-friendly and ADA-accessible upgrades to UNO Park, improving safety, accessibility, and outdoor recreation opportunities for older adults and residents with mobility challenges in North Adams.
New Businesses Are Opening in Downtown North Adams. Seriously.
Downtown North Adams is welcoming a wave of new businesses, from the highly anticipated Zio Roberto Ristorante and Taverna to the newly opened Cole Mountain Café and an exciting new restaurant taking shape in the former TD Bank building. Together with a forthcoming retail concept on Holden Street, these investments reflect growing momentum, entrepreneurial confidence, and a vibrant future for downtown.
Northern Berkshire Business Meetup
The next Northern Berkshire Meetup will take place May 27 from 6–8 p.m. at The Store at Five Corners. Hosted by the North Adams Chamber of Commerce, this free monthly gathering welcomes business owners, entrepreneurs, artists, nonprofit and cultural workers, remote employees, and community members from across the Northern Berkshires. Attendees can connect informally, share updates and challenges, and build relationships across sectors.
Western Mass Economic Ecosystem Summit
Regional leaders gathered last Friday for the 8th Western Massachusetts Economic Ecosystem Summit to advance collaboration around clean energy, food systems, innovation, and economic development. The convening brought together cross-sector partners from across Western Massachusetts to strengthen regional alignment, support coordinated growth strategies, and shape future economic investment priorities.
From Market to Main
As recently highlighted by The Berkshire Eagle, the North Adams Farmers Market is helping grow the next generation of local businesses. At Red Shirt Farm, Door Prize, Hexagon Bagels, and Steeple City Social, entrepreneurs are transforming market stand success into permanent storefronts, strengthening downtown North Adams. And we are here for it! 🙌
ArtWeek Kicks Off This Weekend!
North Adams is taking center stage during ArtWeek Berkshires, with a packed lineup of open studios, live music, gallery events, artist talks, workshops, and community gatherings showcasing the city’s vibrant creative economy. From downtown venues to artist spaces and cultural institutions, North Adams is one of the region’s most active and well-represented creative destinations.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.