History

The Community Development Corporation of South Berkshire has helped to create sustainable communities in southern Berkshire County since 1988, when we were incorporated as a Massachusetts Community Development Corporation for local business support and Main Street revitalization.

In 1998, we initiated a Home-Based Business Assistance Program sponsored by the towns of Great Barrington and Sheffield.

In 2002, we began developing smaller scale, rural affordable housing. Since then, CDCSB has created 60 new affordable housing units and leveraged over $19 million in public and private investment in the region. Our current pipeline of projects includes 153 housing units and 54,000 square feet of commercial space.

These are some of our milestones:

1988
Incorporation around Great Barrington Main Street issues with the intent to build a town market place and meeting hall

1998
Home-based Business Assistance Program initiated, sponsored by the towns of Great Barrington and Sheffield; awarded an EPA Site Assessment Grant for the 100 Bridge Street (formerly New England Log Homes/NELH); formation of the South Berkshire Housing Coalition

2001
Awarded a Supplemental EPA Site Assessment Grant for 100 Bridge Street (formerly NELH)

2002
100 Bridge Street, formerly NELH, Environmental Assessment Phase I and Phase II completed by engineering firm Fuss and O’Neill Inc.

2003
140 East Street: completion of nine affordable rental units, first in Great Barrington in 20 years

2004
Great Barrington town vote to donate land for affordable housing on Hillside Avenue; acquisition of Pinewoods site, Stockbridge

2005
100 Bridge Street, formerly NELH, Environmental Assessment Phase III and Phase IV completed by Ransom Environmental Inc.

2007
Pinewoods: completion of 30 affordable rental units

2009
Hillside Avenue: completion of ten affordable rental units; first new construction of affordable rental units in Great Barrington in 10+ years; designated developer for the Searles/Bryant School complex in Great Barrington

2012
Demolition completed on 100 Bridge Street site with $1.2 million

2014
CDCSB receives $50,000 of Community Investment Tax Credits in its first allotment from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
100 Bridge Street: Environmental permitting issued for bio-remediation of site

2015
100 Bridge Street: $300,000 in Community Preservation Open Space Funds awarded for Riverfront Park; $450,000 in Community Preservation Funds for Affordable Housing awarded over 2 years (2015-2016)
Forest Springs: Comprehensive Permit obtained for development of new affordable housing units in Great Barrington on behalf of Construct, Inc.; secured $1 million from Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston in partnership with Berkshire Bank; awarded $220,000 in Community Preservation Funds for Affordable Housing
CDCSB allotted $100,000 in Community Investment Tax Credits

2016
Forest Springs: Managed the design and permitting process and secured all project financing
CDCSB allotted $50,000 in Community Investment Tax Credits

2018
CDCSB allotted $100,000 in Community Investment Tax Credits
CDCSB closes on 910 Main Street property
MA DHCD funds Bentley Apartments, the affordable housing portion of 100 Bridge Street

HPIM0233.JPG

Ribbon Cutting

Setting of Modular Units is Complete

Demolition

2012

History

The Community Development Corporation of South Berkshire has helped to create sustainable communities in southern Berkshire County since 1988, when we were incorporated as a Massachusetts Community Development Corporation for local business support and Main Street revitalization. In 1998, we initiated a Home-Based Business Assistance Program sponsored by the towns of Great Barrington and Sheffield. In 2002, we began developing smaller scale, rural affordable housing. Since then, CDCSB has created 60 new affordable housing units and leveraged over $19 million in public and private investment in the region. Our current pipeline of projects includes 153 housing units and 54,000 square feet of commercial space.