Berkshire Waste Reduction Businesses Awarded Grants

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ADAMS, Mass. — Second Chance Composting, Dream Green Recycling of the Berkshires, and Tommy's Compost Service were awarded Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection's (MassDEP) Recycling and Reuse Business Development Grants (RBDG).
 
Second Chance Composting of Cheshire was awarded up to $100,000.
 
Dream Green Recycling of the Berkshires in Adams was awarded up to $150,000.
 
Tommy's Compost Service in Cheshire was awarded up to $50,000. 
 
"Massachusetts is taking action on waste reduction with smart solutions," said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. "We are investing in reuse, recycling, and composting. This cuts waste and sets the stage for responsible resource management."
 
MassDEP's RBDG Program includes collection and processing grants designed to invest in businesses that maximize the recovery of valuable materials and resources. The program will provide $565,000 to 10 businesses to improve their recycling collection for materials prohibited from disposal, including mattresses, textiles and commercial food waste. Over $1.2 million will go to support 11 businesses in stating or expanding reuse, recycling, or composting operations.
 
The RBDG Program requires companies that receive grants to create measurable economic benefits for Massachusetts. They must also use the grant-funded equipment only for collecting or processing specific materials in the state for at least three years. RBDG collection grants are available for projects that collect certain materials, including surplus food for donation, food waste for animal feed, composting, or anaerobic digestion, as well as mattresses and textiles. The processing grants support projects that reuse or process certain materials, such as container glass, bulky reusable items, construction and demolition materials, textiles, food, and mattresses.
 
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Adams Selectmen Recognize Champion Hurricanes

By Tammy Daniels iBerkshires Staff

The Hurricanes after winning the state championship in Lowell last month.
ADAMS, Mass. — The Board of Selectmen cheered the Hoosac Valley High girls basketball team last week on their back-to-back District 5 state championships.
 
Selectman Joseph Nowak, who organized the recognition, said, "these Lady 'Canes have really shown what grit really is. And I've known these kids for such a long time, and I've seen them grow, and I've seen them mature. 
 
"And these kids aren't just good athletes. They're talented in a classroom, they're well versed, and they are taking a lot of activities within the school and as a community, we should be very proud of them."
 
He called each girl by name and her stand up for recognition along with coach  Jon Frederick and assistant coaches Kailynne Frederick and Trish Carlo. 
 
"So there's a look at our great team. And you know, it warms my heart that we can share something that's kind of fuzzy and happy," he said, instead of the back and forth the board sometimes gets into.
 
Chair John Duval said it was a big deal and noted how many other communities would see this on Northern Berkshire Community Television.
 
"I just think back 44 years now, when I was in a similar situation, when our football team won the championship ... every time that I meet with my fellow teammates since then, that's pretty much all we talk about is our championship team, and we feel pretty proud about that, and it's really was our glory days back then," he said. "So we are tied for life. ...
 
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