Starting a Business

The EforAll Accelerator Program is a free, 12-week program offered twice a year in Berkshire County. This program offers a unique combination of immersive business training, mentorship, and access to an extended professional network. Anyone with a dream to start or grow a business or nonprofit is encouraged to apply.

Application Deadline: January 15th, 2025, @ 5 pm ET

Learn More & Apply

Zoning & Regulation

City of North Adams Permitting Guide
This guide has been developed to aid North Adams residents, builders, businesses and others in navigating the permitting process.

Business Certificate
Register your business with the Office of the City Clerk.

Forms, Permits + Licenses
Most businesses will require some type of permit from the City. The larger and more complicated your business or project, the more permits it will likely require.

Funding & Grants

Massachusetts Growth Capital Funding Corporation
Mass Growth Capital Corp provides small business loans, microloans, and technical assistance for small businesses.

Massachusetts Small Business Development Center
Mass Small Business Development Center provides no-cost and confidential one-to-one business advice to prospective and existing small businesses focusing on business growth and strategies, financing and loan assistance as well as strategic, marketing and operational analysis.

Hiring

the berkshires jobs thing
the jobs thing is the Berkshires’ highest-touch jobs portal. All positions pay at least $40K and are located in the Berkshires. Post your job with us today to find the talent you need to succeed.

MassHire
The MassHire Berkshire Career Center can market your open positions or special employment events in a variety of ways including posting flyers in the Career Center, alerting Career Center staff, announcements on our website, and on social media.

Networking

1Berkshire Entrepreneurial Meetups
Meet, greet, and make things happen at these free networking events. Meetups bring entrepreneurs together (typically) on the last Tuesday of the month for coffee or drinks – or connection over Zoom.

Massachusetts Founders’ Network
The Massachusetts Founders Network helps connect startup founders across the state with acceleration resources, including funding. MFN offers valuable networking, resources, mentorship, and community for startup founders in Massachusetts.

Technical Assistance

1Berkshire Business Resources
As the official Regional Economic Development Organization and Regional Tourism Council of Berkshire County, 1Berkshire connects the Berkshire business community to external organizations, agencies, and documents with supplemental information to support and grow their ventures.

Business Consultation Services
1Berkshire and the North Adams Chamber both offer tailored consultation to meet your business needs. Their services are free of cost and confidential.