PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Greylock Federal Credit Union returned "home" with the grand opening of its newly renovated Kellogg Street branch that also houses the new Community Empowerment Center.

 

"Why did we invest millions here?" John Bissell, president and chief executive officer, asked before Monday's ribbon-cutting. "Because this is our home. This was Greylock's first home. This nieghborhood has been our heartbeat since 1935."

 

The expanded and renovated building will not only offer typical banking services but also free counseling to help residents with their financial futures. 

 

Vice President of Administration Jamie Ellen Moncecchi said Greylock looks to give residents in need the tools and resources to help them navigate their financial lives. She went on to say the center will offer free community education, budgeting and credit building classes, and loan coaching.

 

It can also connect residents to community partners.

 

The center was largely funded by a $686,500 grant from the Community Development Financial Institution Fund in 2017. 

 

Mayor Linda Tyer made a few comments and thanked Greylock Federal Credit Union for investing in the Morningside neighborhood and the community.

 

"We are starting fresh today with our eye on a new future and of course Greylock is right at the heart of it," she said. "So congratulations to all of you for making this happen in our city. This is part of what we do when we rebuild a community."

 

State Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier had similar comments and said the empowerment center makes her proud to be a credit union member.

 

"By being a member here I know I am impacting the community in a bigger more impactful way," she said. "That is why I chose to put my own funds here and today you are showing in a very concrete brick and mortor programic way that you are investing here in this part of our community."

 

A.J. Enchill of state Sen. Adam Hinds' office applauded Greylock's efforts to help the Morningside community. He said they are a "practice what you preach" workspace.

 

"I see diversity and people from all walks of life behind that table and that representation means a lot to me as a lifetime resident of the Berkshires," he said. "Thank you for opening your hearts to the Morningside community."

 

Board member Stanley Walczyk talked about the history of the site and said the location originally opened in 1971 as General Electric Employees Credit Union. The credit union shared the location with the company store.

 

"We see that path coming clear again today with businesses and residents openly sharing hopefulness and community pride," he said. "We are all growing and celebrating together."

 

Before cutting the ribbon, Bissell said the credit union has well more than 89,000 members and, in the coming months, he knows this number will reach 90,000. He said the 300 employees of the Greylock Federal Credit Union have and will continue to serve the credit union members who are a huge part of the companies ongoing success.

 

"I think it has been our focus to build deep personal long-lasting relationships standing on the foundation of trust," he said. "We are striving at Greylock for something better."