Great Barrington Opens ARPA Applications to Local Nonprofits

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GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Great Barrington has opened an application form process for local nonprofits seeking grants from American Rescue Plan Act funds received by the town.

The town received $2,075,908 in ARPA funds to mitigate the economic impacts of COVID-19 on households in Great Barrington. In April, the town earmarked $850,000 to organizations supporting housing-related assistance. 

The town will now distribute another portion of the ARPA funds to Great Barrington-based nonprofits serving low- and moderate-income households, households that experienced unemployment, and households that experienced food or housing insecurity.

"The impacts of COVID-19 are still with us and will stay with us for some time, so we hope these ARPA funds will help our local nonprofits in their work caring for our community's residents," said Town Manager Mark Pruhenski.

Eligible nonprofits are those providing housing and housing assistance (including rent, mortgage and utility assistance), food/food assistance, health care, transportation-related assistance, and employment and job training assistance.

The application form can be downloaded here or from the Town Manager’s page of the town website, www.townofgb.org. Proposals are due Sept. 30 by 4 p.m. via email. Funding awards will be made by the town manager in accordance with ARPA priorities approved by the Selectboard.

Recipient organizations will be required to sign a grant agreement with the town, file quarterly program updates with the town, and collect any required demographic or other data that may be required by the U.S. Treasury in order to document use of ARPA funds and ensure compliance with federal requirements.

ARPA grant funds are eligible for expenses incurred between July 1, 2022 and Dec. 31, 2024. All funds incurred by that deadline must be expended by Dec. 31, 2026.


Tags: ARPA,   nonprofits,   

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Chris Vecchia Joins Stone House Properties

WEST STOCKBRIDGE, Mass. — Stone House Properties announced that Chris Vecchia will be joining the company as a Sales Associate. 
 
Born and raised in the Berkshires and currently raising his own family in Pittsfield, Vecchia brings an understanding of the local community.
 
Since 2019, Vecchia has been dedicated to helping his fellow Berkshire County residents achieve their real estate dreams. 
 
In addition to his role at Stone House Properties, Vecchia is a Licensed Massage Therapist, musician, and actor. In his spare time, Chris is an avid downhill skier and hiker, and is a Tanglewood regular during the summer months.
 
"I am thrilled to join the team at Stone House Properties," said Chris Vecchia. "As a Berkshire native, I am committed to helping my clients discover how they can live their life to the fullest in this county." 
 
Buyers or sellers can connect with Chris Vecchia and the Stone House Properties team by visiting www.stonehouseproperties.com, or by contacting him directly at 413-281-6995. 
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