What’s New
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.
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.
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!