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Meng Wu 'Jason' Wang, Yaling 'Joy' Wang and their daughter Gina at the opening of Meng's Pan-Asian in 2017. They've sold the family business and plan to travel and spend time with their daughters.

Meng's Pan Asian Restaurant in North Adams Changes Hands

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Meng's Pan Asian Restaurant has changed hands but there is so far no plans to change the name or significantly alter menu. 
 
The Wangs have been a mainstay in the Berkshire Plaza on Main Street for 21 years, first as the China Buffet and then as Meng's since 2017. 
 
Owners Meng Wu "Jason" Wang and Yaling "Joy" Wang put the business up for sale recently and closed a deal with a couple from New York on Jan. 7. 
 
Jason Wang was classically trained as a chef in China. He and his wife moved to North Adams 21 years ago to raise their children and serve this community. They worked at other restaurants before opening the China Buffet about 2002, replacing another Chinese restaurant. They opened the Sushi House on the Main Street side of the building in 2011. 
 
In 2017, they closed the Sushi House and the buffet and rebranded as Meng’s Pan Asian Restaurant with a completely renovated space and expanded menu. The restaurant operated six days a week, including on major holidays such as Christmas and New Year's Day and served freshly cooked Chinese, Japanese, Thai and other Asian dishes.
 
They closed for the first time during the pandemic emergency then reopened the family-run restaurant for take-out and delivery as soon as they were able to.
 
To avoid any service interruption, the new owners are choosing to keep the name, menu (with possible minor changes) and hours of operations the same. Furthermore, any gift certificates issued are still valid under the new ownership.
 
One of the first things Joy and Jason look forward to is to take a vacation together as a family. All three of their daughters grew up working in the restaurant. With their daughters in their junior and sophomore years in college and junior year in high school, they hope to spend more time together as a family.
 
When asked about what they will miss, Joy didn't hesitate to say she will miss the regular customers. Being the one to answer the phone and greet customers, she knows most people's favorite dishes and over the last two decades, customers have become extended family. 
 
In a post on Facebook, the Wangs ask that customers "be patient with the new owners as they establish and familiarize themselves with the business' operations."
 
"We are very grateful for all the support we received in the past 20 years and we are delighted to be part of such an amazing community."

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McCann and Taconic Awarded CTI Grants

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced $525,482 in Career Technical Initiative (CTI) implementation grants awarded to two organizations in the Berkshires to train 80 individuals for careers in high-demand occupations within the trades, construction, and manufacturing sectors in the region. 
 
In North Adams, McCann Technical School was awarded $344,871 to provide training to 60 participants for Automotive Technician, Advanced Manufacturing, and Welding positions. They will partner with T&M Auto Sales Inc., Berkshire Bridge & Iron Co. Inc., Haddad GMC, Haddad Subaru, Bedard Brothers Auto Sales Inc., Lenco Armored Vehicles, TOG Manufacturing, Sinicon Plastics, Adams Plumbing & Heating Inc., and Gills Point S Tire.
 
"We are excited to be working with our MassHire team to continue to address our workforce needs and build talent pipelines and career pathways in Advanced Manufacturing, Welding and Automotive Technician," McCann Superintendent James Brosnan said. "This CTI award will provide hands-on training and support as we continue to expand our skilled talent pool for employers in the Berkshires."
 
In Pittsfield Taconic High School was awarded $180,610 to provide training to 20 participants for Metal Fabrication and Auto Technology positions. They will partner with O.W. Landergren Inc., Lenco Industries Inc., Bedard Brothers, Haddad's Auto Group, and RW's Auto Inc.
 
"Pittsfield Public Schools is incredibly grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and Commonwealth Corporation for the CTI award to Taconic High School. This grant will have a significant and lasting impact on our community by providing skilled technicians to address critical shortages in Berkshire County," said Superintendent Joseph Curtis. "We are excited to partner with Lenco Industries, Haddads, Bedards, RW Auto, O.W. Landergren, Northeast Fabricators, and the MassHire Berkshire Career Center. These partnerships will serve as a catalyst for positive change, ensuring that our trainees are well-prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st-century workforce, while simultaneously strengthening our local economy."
 
The CTI grant program, a state-funded workforce initiative, partners with career and technical education schools to provide adult learners, especially unemployed and underemployed individuals from underserved populations and underrepresented groups, with career training and technical skills to meet the needs of Massachusetts employers. The program transforms career and technical education schools across the state to become "Career Technical Institutes" that run after dark programs in the construction/trades, manufacturing, and skilled trades career pathways. 
 
"Addressing our workforce needs and building talent pipelines and career pathways in construction, trades and manufacturing sectors is a priority for this administration," said Governor Maura Healey. "CTI offers hands-on training that will support our jobseekers, workers and employers. We're proud to expand the CTI awards to these two schools in the Berkshires to strengthen our workforce and grow our economy throughout the state."  
 
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