Hilltown Community Development has been working to develop and sustain the rural towns and communities of the Hilltowns since 1981.
Over the last several decades we have leveraged and invested over $50 million in housing, economic development, public facilities, farming, and cultural programming in the region.
our Milestones:
1983
Small Business Assistance Program developed
1987
Small Cities CDBG grant funds first Housing Rehab program; 22 homes rehabilitated
1992
Hilltown Elder Network (HEN), an in-home chore service for seniors begins
1996
Septic Repair Program begins
Southern Hilltown Business Assistance Program begins
Hilltown Hospitality Council completes Hidden Hills of Western Massachusetts Tourism Map
2001
Septic Repair Program repairs its 100th septic system
2003
Hilltown Farmers’ Market in Cummington established
2005
Moved into new Hilltown CDC office building
Completed construction on the first 8 apartments in Phase I of Westhampton Woods Senior Housing development
Funded Families Together, a social service program administered by Hilltown Community Health Center
2007
First Annual Hilltown Spring Festival held at Cummington Fairgrounds
Began construction of 11 single-family homes for first time homebuyers on Laurel Road in Williamsburg
2009
Conducted feasibility study for expansion of Westhampton Woods Senior Housing
Provided project management services for the design of a new Public Safety Complex in Peru
Received Schwartz Foundation grant to fund HEN expansion and Elder Small Home Repair Program
Conducted feasibility study for expansion of Westhampton Woods Senior Housing
Provided project management services for the design of a new Public Safety Complex in Peru
Received Schwartz Foundation grant to fund HEN expansion and Elder Small Home Repair Program
2010
Childcare Subsidy program for working families established
Housing Rehab Program completes 500th project
2011
5th Annual Hilltown Spring Festival held at Cummington Fairgrounds
Published 25th consecutive annual Hilltown Business Directory
5th Annual Hilltown Spring Festival held at Cummington Fairgrounds
Published 25th consecutive annual Hilltown Business Directory
2012
Took over administration of the HUD Continuum of Care regional homeless program
2013
Developed a Keep Farming in the Hilltowns program to support local agriculture and increase food access and food security
Developed a Keep Farming in the Hilltowns program to support local agriculture and increase food access and food security
2015
Completed the Phase II of Westhampton Woods Senior Housing development adding an additional 8 new senior apartments.
2016
Completed renovations of the Village Center Apartments, a scattered affordable housing project located in the village centers of Chesterfield, Haydenville and Williamsburg
Hosted a Sustainable Design Assessment Team (SDAT) to assess and improve healthy eating and active living in the Hilltowns
Completed renovations of the Village Center Apartments, a scattered affordable housing project located in the village centers of Chesterfield, Haydenville and Williamsburg
Hosted a Sustainable Design Assessment Team (SDAT) to assess and improve healthy eating and active living in the Hilltowns
2017
Began coordinating the Easy Ride Senior Van, a rural transportation service in partnership with the Franklin Regional Transit Authority (FRTA)
Collaborated with Jacob’s Ladder Business Association to publish the first “Hilltowns Destination Map”
Conducted a walk audit to develop a complete streets plan for the center of Goshen
2018
Completed the construction of 10 senior housing rental units in Goshen town center
Co-organized the first Hilltown Open Studio Tour with the Hilltown Arts Alliance
Completed the construction of 10 senior housing rental units in Goshen town center
Co-organized the first Hilltown Open Studio Tour with the Hilltown Arts Alliance
2019
Operated a pilot Hilltown Mobile Market project in Worthington and Huntington to increase access to healthy, hilltown-grown produce and create a market opportunity for small local farms.
Launched the Hilltown Driver Pool to accommodate senior transportation needs to more distant and/or recurring medical appointments