PITTSFIELD, MA, May 5, 2016 - Berkshire Bank, America’s Most Exciting Bank®, is excited to announce that the Berkshire Bank Foundation will support National Small Business Week by awarding $17,000 in grants to support Small Business Development Centers and SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) chapters throughout the Bank’s footprint.
As part of this acknowledgement, business banking officers will host events on various days throughout the week of May 1-7, at different Berkshire Bank locations.
The events will honor local SCORE chapters and Small Business Development Centers, each receiving a $1,000 grant, in recognition of their commitment to supporting and assisting local small businesses. This occasion allows Berkshire Bank to communicate enterprise-wide the vital role that small businesses play In economic development while also honoring the key constituencies working closely with small businesses to help them succeed.
“We are so pleased to support these organizations doing important work every day supporting the small businesses that are the lifeblood of all of the communities that Berkshire Bank serves,” said Lori Gazzillo, director of the Berkshire Bank Foundation. “We applaud the Small Business Development Centers and SCORE chapters that are providing essential support to not only sustain small businesses, but help them thrive.”
The Small Business Development Centers being recognized include:
- Connecticut Small Business Development Center
- Central Massachusetts Regional SBDC (Clarke University)
- UMass-Boston SBDC
- Berkshire Regional SBDC
- Western MA Small Business Development Center Office
- Regional SBDC
- Onondaga Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
- University at Albany SBDC
- Small Business Development Center
- Mohawk Valley SUNY Polytechnic Institute
- Vermont Small Business Development Center
SCORE Chapters being honored include:
- Greater Hartford SCORE
- W. Massachusetts SCORE
- Worcester SCORE
- Boston SCORE
- Northeast NY SCORE
- Syracuse SCORE
- Utica SCORE Chapter
About Berkshire Bank Foundation
Through foundation grants to nonprofits, scholarships to students, environmental programs, and employee volunteerism, Berkshire Bank is making a difference. Each year the Foundations donates over $1.8 million to non-profits in the bank’s footprint and employees provide over 40,000 hours of volunteer service. In 2015, Berkshire Bank was named one of Massachusetts’ Most Charitable Companies by the Boston Business Journal. . To learn more about Berkshire Bank Foundation, visit www.berkshirebank.com/community.
About Berkshire Bank
Berkshire Hills Bancorp (NYSE: BHLB) is the parent of Berkshire Bank, America’s Most Exciting Bank®. The Company, recognized for its entrepreneurial approach and distinctive culture, has $7.8 billion in assets and 93 full service branch offices in Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, and Vermont providing personal and business banking, insurance, and wealth management services. In 2015, Berkshire Bank was named one of Massachusetts’ Most Charitable Companies by the Boston Business Journal. Berkshire Bank is the home financing and retail banking provider for the Massachusetts Teachers Association Benefits, MTA. To learn more, visit www.berkshirebank.com, call 800-773-5601 or follow us on: Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Berkshire Bank is the official bank of NESN’s Boston Bruins Coverage.
Media Contact
Heidi Higgins; Assistant Vice President, Marketing; 413-236-3756