Eforall Berkshire County Announces Spring Accelerator Cohort

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Entrepreneurship for All (EforAll) Berkshire County announced the 13 business ideas chosen to participate in the Spring 2021 Business Accelerator program.
 
The program begins the week of February 22 and will be held completely virtually.
 
"I continue to be amazed by the ideas, energy and passion each entrepreneur brings to the table when applying to the Accelerator Program," Jay Anderson, president of the Pittsfield Economic Revitalization Corporation (PERC) and a member of the EforAll Berkshire Leadership Advisory Committee said. "It takes a lot of courage to start a business. The confidence, clarity and connections that EforAll provides to these entrepreneurs is invaluable as they advance their goals and dreams of starting or growing a business. This program is a retention tool for our community and dovetails with the creativity and sustainability in the Berkshires."
 
These businesses represent a wide array of ideas and come from a broad swath of the region:
 
  • Amy Musante/Musante Farm, Dalton
  • Ava Garrett & Lauren Scapin/Camp Coco, Marlborough
  • Brandon Williams/Stem and Crown, Pittsfield
  • Brian Barde/Kindlewood Camping, Pittsfield
  • Charlotte Semmes/Penelope Prints, Hudson, NY
  • Clemente Sajquiy/Green River Property Care, Great Barrington
  • Jim Schultz/Red Shirt Farms, Lanesboro
  • Luis Hoose/LH Fitness, Pittsfield
  • Melinda & Kyle Cruzen/Berkshire Worms, Lanesboro
  • Michelle Daly/Daly Art Consulting, North Adams
  • Samuel Abora/Boras' World, Pittsfield
  • Tara Jacobsen/Be Full, Pittsfield
  • Victoria Fiorini/ Sworn Handmade, Pittsfield
 
This will be the third class for EforAll's Berkshire County site. Applicants went through an application process including volunteer readers and interviewers.
 
The public will be invited in June to the Gala and Showcase at the conclusion of the 12-week intensive program.
 

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Pittsfield Cannabis Cultivator Plans Dispensary

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD. Mass. — A cannabis cultivator and manufacturer has opted to sell its products on site in Downing Parkway. 

The Zoning Board of Appeals this month approved a special permit for J-B.A.M. Inc. to operate a dispensary out of its existing grow facility. There will only be changes to the interior of 71 Downing Parkway, as there will be less than 500 square feet of retail space in the 20,000-square-foot building. 

"My only concern would be the impact, and really would be traffic, which I don't think is excessive, the odor, if there was one, but that doesn't seem to be an issue, and I think it's a good location for a marijuana facility," board member Thomas Goggins said. 

The company's indoor cultivation site plan was approved in 2019, an amendment to add manufacturing and processing in 2021, and on the prior day, a new site plan to add a retail dispensary was approved by the Community Development Board. 

J-B.A.M. cannabis products are available in local dispensaries. 

The interior of the facility will be divided to accommodate an enclosed check-in area, front entrance, retail lobby, secure storage room, offices, and two bathrooms. There are 27 parking spaces for the facility, which is sufficient for the use. 

No medical or recreational cannabis uses are permitted within 500 feet of a school or daycare, a setback that is met, and the space is within an industrial park at the end of a cul-de-sac. 

"The applicant desires the restructuring of the business to be more competitive in the industry with the ability to grow and sell their own cannabis products so they have more financial stability," Chair Albert Ingegni III, read from the application. 

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