MALL TO MINI-FARMS: The Berkshire
Berkshire Business Journal 75 S. Church St. Pittsfield, MA 01201
Mall’s new owner plans a center of cannabis cultivation, manufacturing and distribution. Page 2
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EAGLE’S NEW NEST: Members of the public get a glimpse of The Eagle’s renovated Pittsfield office. Page 3
Berkshire Business Journal SEPTEMBER 2022 | VOL. 1, NO. 4
Learning by doing College students gain valuable workforce experience through Lever Inc. intern program MCLA student Haelie Paquette worked as an intern for Berkshire Family and Individual Resources in North Adams this summer. BEN GARVER
BY JOHN TOWNES NORTH ADAMS — Greta Luf wants to
work in education when she graduates from the University of Massachusetts Amherst two years from now, but teaching is not her goal. The Stockbridge resident is interested in developing policy or representing educational institutions in legal matters. It’s not easy to break into these fields right out of college, because previous experience is a must. But Luf has found a way get that experience, and she’s been able to do it without leaving the Berkshires. Luf spent the summer working as a project analyst for the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation in Sheffield, a position she received through the Berkshire Interns program. Founded and sponsored by small business accelerator Lever Inc. of North Adams, Berkshire Interns places young people like Luf in positions with established firms that are looking for a hand.
“It was a tremendous experience,” Luf said. “My supervisor was great, and I learned a lot and gained skills I’ll be using in my career.” While employers, schools and students across the county have long arranged internships on their own, the Berkshire Interns program has emerged as a significant regional resource to support this aspect of career preparation and workforce development on a coordinated basis. Since the program began in 2018, Berkshire Interns has placed 120 students like Luf at some 35 Berkshire employers, including 19 interns with 16 companies this year. Last year, 22 interns found positions with nine companies. This year’s employers included both large and small commercial businesses and nonprofit organizations. The program’s services are free for both employers and the students. “We had fewer intern positions this year because a few employers had to reduce the number of them, but we LEARNING, Page 10
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Jeffrey Thomas is the executive director of small business accelerator Lever Inc. of North Adams, which sponsors the Berkshire Interns program.
“Studies indicate that if we cannot retain our current younger population and attract other young people to move here, we face a serious population decline. Berkshire County is a great place to live, but young people also have to know that they can find good jobs here.” JEFFREY THOMAS, Lever Inc. executive director