Chesterfield, MA – Showing marked growth, Hilltown Community Development, the non-profit that seeks to improve the quality of life for Hilltown residents, ended 2022 with over $2 million in grants generated since the pandemic era. The organization has fostered several new initiatives to help increase the Hilltowns’ appeal as a place to live, work and recreate by addressing economic, housing, education, social and community needs.

“Throughout Covid, we helped our local businesses survive by offering small grants,” says Hilltown Community Development Director Dave Christopolis. “As the world has reopened, we shifted our work to launch a tourism program and increase food security while supporting small local farmers and taking the Hilltown Mobile Market online. We continue to support the many artists that call the Hilltowns home by helping them market themselves and the region. Housing remains at the core of our mission. We have developed, own and manage 68 units of affordable housing scattered across the Hilltowns.”

Housing:

In September of 2020, the organization purchased the former Chester High School building, which had been converted to affordable housing in 1987.  The building also houses the Chester's town library and a small museum, and is a contributing structure to the Chester Factory Village National Register Historic District.  Hilltown Community Development has been awarded over seven million dollars for the renovation of the building and will start construction on these improvements in 2023 preserving 15 housing subsidies.

Public Facilities

Hilltown Community Development is helping reimagine the elementary school in Cummington which was closed in 2016.  It will be a community space including a commercial kitchen available for food production.

Hilltown Community Development secured a $2 million earmark from Congressman Richard Neal for the construction of a Senior Center in Worthington. They will work with the Town of Worthington to raise the additional funds to construct a 5,000 square foot Senior Center.

The organization is assisting the Town of Chester in seeking funds to redesign and redevelop their vacant elementary school. They are also assisting the town of Hinsdale in redeveloping their public beach and park at Plunket Lake and making it ADA compliant.  

The Arts:

Hilltown Community Development supported a community group from Cummington in their bid to turn the downtown area into a state designated Cultural District. The designation is expected to come through in spring 2023. It will help the town produce more cultural programming and preserve and enrich the historic character of Main Street. In 2022, the street featured Reflections: a juried art show featuring installations by nine local artists. These installations invited participants to reflect on the cultural and natural history of the region while strolling down Main St.

The organization supplied marketing and PR support to the Hilltown Arts Alliance’s 4th Annual Open Studio Tour which was held on October 1st and 2nd. Art enthusiasts and art buyers from as far away as NYC and Boston came to the Hilltowns to meet with 23 artists, see their work and the unique Hilltown creative process. Nearly 40% of the visitors purchased art and 60% bought local foods, adding to the economic health of the region

Health:

Hilltown Community Development completed its work with local Councils on Aging and community volunteers to create walking maps for nine downtown areas. The initiative was designed to help seniors safely get out for exercise and socialization in their communities. You can view these maps here: Healthy Aging — Hilltown CDC Click on the town thumbnail to see the map. You can also obtain a printed copy from the COA of each of these towns. Any questions about these maps please reach out to Rural Health Project Manager Joan Griswold joang@hilltowncdc.org or (413) 296-4536 ext 102.

The National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health awarded Joan Griswold, The Rural Public Health Project Manager their Community Stars Award for the betterment of rural health in the Hilltowns. Ms Griswold, a long-time resident of Goshen, has educated local residents on CPR, coordinated vaccination drives and increased knowledge about Covid vaccines among the young. She built the healthy walking initiative and helps coordinate the Hilltown Mobile Market.

The organization coordinated a COVID vaccination clinic that took place at their offices in Cummington on October 31st, 2022. Forty-five locals were able to be vaccinated and boosted without prior reservations

Farming and Food Security:

The Hilltown Mobile Market successfully transitioned from four in person markets to weekly online pre-ordering with distribution throughout the Hilltowns to 18 locations. It operated from July through November. The program provided a local outlet for food from 20 producers. New producers this year included Pause Pivot Farm, a hydroponic greenhouse in Williamsburg, Cream of the Crop Farm in Russell, Foxtrot Herb Farm in Shelburne Falls, Grace Hill Dairy in Cummington, and Kinne Brook Farm in Worthington.  They diversified the offerings of the market with local beef, yogurt, eggs, cheese, microgreens and herbs. 

The program grew from an average of over 120 customers a week to over 300. Over $10,000 of healthy local food was given away to 72 low income families and more than $46,000 in revenue was generated for local farms. Look for more farmers and an even greater variety of produce next year. Farmers and local producers looking to join the program for 2023 should contact Hunt Chase at huntc@hilltowncdc.org.

Business Development:

After surveying over 170 local businesses, the Hilltown Community Development decided to transition the Hilltown Business Directory to an online product that now has content about the Hilltowns and encourages tourism. The site has nearly 5,000 active monthly users. Accompanying the online directory are a series of brochures that are being professionally distributed in the Hilltowns, the Berkshires and the Pioneer Valley. Twenty-thousand of the first brochure, focused on Fall Daytrips, were launched Labor Day and accompanied by a Facebook ad campaign. Brochures about Business Services, Health & Wellness, and Hilltown Living will launch in the new year. Businesses included are promoted online with custom Facebook and Instagram posts highlighting their events and goods offered. Since launching a dedicated Facebook presence in September, Hilltown Directory posts have reached over 100,000 people. Businesses looking to advertise in 2023 should contact Joan Griswold (joang@hilltowncdc.org or (413) 296-4536 ext 102).

Hilltown Community Development welcomes resident input on programs. Please reach out to Dave Christopolis at dave@hilltowncdc.org.

About Hilltown Community Development 

Hilltown Community Development is a private non-profit organization that seeks to improve the quality of life for Hilltown residents by addressing economic, housing, education, social and community needs while preserving the rural character of the area. Among their initiatives is the Hilltown Mobile Market, which distributes local produce, meat and dairy throughout the region and the Hilltown Directory which promotes local business and regional tourism.

I am very sad to hear of the passing of Steve Kulik. I got to know Steve fairly well in my job as Executive Director of the Hilltown CDC.  I was hired in 2011 and Steve was our State Representative. He went out of his way to meet with me and help me get a handle on the work the CDC does and what the pressing issues in the Hilltowns were. I knew there was a paucity of knowledge in Boston about Hilltowns. Little did I know I was getting to know one of the most compassionate and effective legislators in our state. I also soon learned that Steve was one of the founding community members of the Hilltown CDC.

As I got settled into my job, I developed a relationship with Steve that showed me another side to politics and government. I saw how he was able to advocate for our rural towns with kindness and intellect and at times, when needed, some fierce advocacy.

Without hesitation, Steve worked tirelessly to help move a piece of legislation through state government that has resulted in millions of new dollars designated for community development programming, providing assistance to many of our rural friends and neighbors. This legislation was the Community Investment Tax Credit or CITC. This has enabled CDC’s across the state to leverage millions of dollars from donors who receive a tax credit on their donation.

For folks who follow Hilltown CDC’s work, we would not have a Mobile Market selling local farm products without CITC, we would not have developed additional affordable housing units, nor would we have been able to expand our transportation services for seniors without CITC and Steve’s advocacy.

There is one other memory I want to share.

When Steve retired for the legislature, Hilltown CDC helped an event to honor his life and work. His wife Suzanne and children Sam and Elizabeth attended the event. Family and friends put together a collage of pictures of Steve’s life. It was a beautiful time.

I brought some musician friends of mine to the event, and we played some jazz music while people honored Steve. On a break, I took a look at the pictures of Steve’s life. I saw this young guy with a long ponytail letting his freak flag fly.

At that moment it all made sense. Steve was a counter-culture activist who figured out how to get inside the system and change it for the better. He never lost his hippie idealism. 

He was “one of a kind” in the messy system we know as politics. There is one thing I know for sure, we need more Steve Kulik’s in our world if we are going to get anything done.

Dave Christopolis

Executive Director

Hilltown CDC

Can you take a moment to help Hilltown CDC? We must demonstrate support each year for our federal grant applications.

If you have utilized the services provided by the Hilltown CDC or I know someone who has benefitted from or could benefit from these services, please add your name to our list of supporters below!

Full Slate of Hilltown Arts Activities Set for September 30 - October 2

Hilltown Arts Alliance Open Studio Tour;

Local Wine, Beer & Harvest Tastings Highlight
Weekend Events

Cummington, MA – The Hilltown Community Development Corporation has announced a full slate of art activities that run throughout the weekend of September 30 - October 2nd in and around the Hilltowns of Western Massachusetts.  The events are complemented with opportunities to taste the best of local farm and beverage producers at the height of harvest season. 

The weekend begins Friday with an arts salon at the Cummington Community House featuring five local artists and continues with the 4th annual Hilltown Arts Alliance Open Studio Tour through Sunday. The self-guided tour that takes visitors to see the work and studios of 23 Hilltowns artists who have chosen the region for its unique rural character and space to create. 

Local food makers and growers are participating with seasonal offerings. There will be a wine tasting of the new vintages of Sauvignon Blanc and Rose at Glendale Ridge Vineyard. Sena Farm Brewery is producing a special raspberry-infused beer to commemorate the weekend. Labels for the limited edition beer have been designed by artist Elena Allee, whose studio is on the tour. The Old Creamery Coop, which sells the goods of local farmers, is celebrating its 10th year with food and music in Cummington on Saturday evening.

The full schedule of activities includes:

• The Art Salon: Friday, September 30, 6PM, Cummington Community House, Cummington. Engaging conversations with five unique and talented Valley-based artists.

• The Hilltown Arts Alliance Open Studio Tour: Saturday October 1 - Sunday, October 2, 11AM - 5PM; 19 locations, 23 artists. Pick up tour maps and view a representative show of the artists’ work at the tour hub in the Commington Community House. Interactive map: https://hilltownartsalliance.org/tour-map/

• Sena Farm Brewery Artist’s Palate Beer Tastings:  Friday, September 30, 2- 7PM, Saturday, September 1, 1 - 7PM,  Sunday, October 2, 1 - 6PM, Worthington. Vibrant Lithuanian style beer with local raspberries introduced in celebration of our Hilltown artists: ask for the Benevolent Host. Farmer’s Daughters food truck on site.

• Old Creamery Co-Op 10th Anniversary Celebration. Saturday, October 1,  5 - 7:30PM, Pettingill Memorial Park,  Cummington.  Come enjoy food and drink from local establishments and farms that do business with the Creamery, a hub of the Hilltown economy.  

• Glendale Ridge Vineyard Wine Tasting: Sunday, October 2, 4 - 6PM, Southampton. Experience the vineyard at harvest with views of Mt. Tom. Special pricing for those who show their Open Studio brochures.

Artists on the Open Studio tour who are doing in studio demonstrations include: Jeanne Johns (11:30AM Saturday, Portrait conversations); Valerie Claff (1:30PM Saturday,  Making a watercolor painting, start to finish); Mark Shapiro (3:30PM Saturday, Throwing, assembling & decorating a teapot in under an hour); Kathy Ford (11:30AM Sunday, The first block: character in quiltmaking); Leni Fried (1:30PM Sunday, Printmaking).

“The rural Hilltowns are undergoing something of a renaissance among artists and food producers,” says Community Development Director Dave Christopolis. “Cummington is going to receive Massachusetts Cultural District Designation this year and is planning additional arts and culture programming annually. Grants from that program and the Hilltown CDC are helping breathe new life into historic buildings where artists can live and create. Each year more artists move to the HIlltowns for the beauty but also the community they become a part of.  We have also just had two new restaurants reopen in historic spaces in Worthington: The Goldenrod Country Inn and Liston’s Bar & Grill.”

“The Hilltowns are a fascinating mix of artists and agriculture, and always have been,” says Hilltown Arts Alliance president, and fabric artist, Kathy Ford. “Artists like Helen Frankenthaler, Willem de Kooning, Diane Arbus and Marianne Moore trained here. Now, we are home to internationally renowned artists like Sergei Isupov, Mara Superior, Mark Shapiro, Olwen O’Herlihy Dowling, and Andrew DeVries. This is a weekend to celebrate our past and that today the Hilltowns are alive with so much creativity.”

Attendees of the tour will wander Massachusetts Scenic Byways 112 and 143, plus many backroads, at the height of leaf peeping season. Visitors can stop at as many arts locations and events as they prefer with Cummington as the tour hub.

The artists included in the Open Studio Tour are painters, sculptors, fabric artists, artisan jewelry makers, printmakers and ceramicists. The complete list of artists participating is: Gloria Conwell, Kathy Ford, Mark Shapiro, Jen Parrish-Hill. Elena Allee, Michael Falcone, John Walker, Ana Busto, Sergei Isupov, Kadri Pärnamets, Jeanne Johns, Leni Fried, Chris Bagg, Susanna White, Laura Bundesen, Olwen O’Herlihy Dowling,  Susan Flores, Laurie Israel, Guy Matsuda, Pleun Bouricius, Cyndy Sperry, David Marshall, Valerianna Claff.

The Open Studio Tour is made possible with support from the Hilltown Community Development Corporation, primary sponsors ArtsAngels, Community Foundation of Western Mass; Mass. Cultural Council, Hilltown Community Health Center. Secondary sponsors: Florence Bank, Mr. Tire, Cummington Supply, Hilltown Hybrids and The Hilltown Land Trust.

For the most updated information on artists, events and food opportunities throughout the Open Studio Tour weekend, go to  hilltownartsalliance.org/open-studio-tour.

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About the Hilltown Community Development Corporation. Hilltown Community Development is a registered 501(c)(3) that seeks to improve the quality of life for Hilltown residents by addressing economic, housing, education, social and community needs while preserving the rural character of the area.  

About the Hilltown Arts Alliance. The Hilltown Arts Alliance is a registered 501(c)(3), volunteer-run nonprofit arts organization serving the beautiful hilltowns of Western Massachusetts. These lush rolling hills are home to an impressive number of accomplished artists. Our mission is to spread the word! The Hilltown Arts Alliance seeks to connect and support local Hilltown artists and makers in their creative endeavors

Please save the date and join us for our virtual annual meeting on Tuesday, October 18 at 6-8PM on Zoom

Click to Join: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89124349232

Dave Christopolis,

Executive Director

Hilltown Community Development Corporation Launches Business Development Campaign with Revamped Directory and Fall Tourism Brochure

Chesterfield, MA – The Hilltown Community Development Corporation has launched a new business promotion program including the region’s first tourism campaign. Responding to the results of a survey of over 170 Hilltown’s business, the former print Hilltown Directory has been shifted into an online initiative (hilltowndirectory.com) that now contains content about how to live, work and travel within the Hilltowns.The Hilltowns of Western Massachusetts now has its own logo as the first step in the branding of the region.

Twenty-thousand copies of the Hilltowns Fall 2022 Daytrips brochure are being distributed in the Pioneer Valley, The Berkshires and at public places and businesses within the Hilltowns. A paid Facebook initiative launches this week to draw those from the surrounding areas to the Hilltowns for the perfect, yet close, fall escape.The Hilltown Directory is posting a Business of the Day feature on Facebook and Instagram to further draw attention to the opportunities and business owners within the region.

“We’ve been working on more sustainable and useful ways to promote local business and the region and after conducting a survey where we tested several ideas, we made a bold digital move,” says Hilltown CDC Director Dave Christopolis. “Now that broadband and cell services are available throughout the Hilltowns an easily searchable and updateable directory online just makes sense. Service businesses were especially hard hit during the pandemic and we need to show a broader audience that we are open for business, distinct and amazing to visit.”

While the Hilltown Directory was online before, it has now been redesigned, categorized for ease of use, optimized for search engines and features articles designed to promote the unique history, culture, rural character and business opportunities of the region. Bold photos of the region’s attractions and businesses are featured throughout. Most are taken and submitted by Hilltowns residents, such as the current cover image of Rte 20 and the National Park Service designated Wild & Scenic Westfield River in fall.

“The Fall Brochure has been a big success in terms of advertiser support,” says Christopolis. “We have 55 businesses and attractions listed. The map gives people a sense of the region and what to do in an easily digestible form. The listings make it easy for everyone from moms to couples, kayakers to hikers and apple pickers, to plan a day or a weekend in our amazing region. When we relaunched the website just after Labor Day, the traffic shot up to six times its daily norm. We know those numbers will just continue to build through peak fall tourism season as our paid social media initiative kicks in. Many of our Business of the Day posts have been getting over 1000 people looking at them.”

The Fall 2022 Daytrips brochure will be available throughout October. Other brochures will be produced through the fall and into next year.  Business Services will launch in November, Health & Wellness for the New Year, and Home, Pet, Auto in February for spring remodeling season. Summer Daytrips will be available starting in April. The closing date for inclusion in one brochure and a year-long listing in the directory is October 15, 2022, and the fee is $100.

Businesses interested in getting involved are encouraged to look at the advertising opportunities at hilltowndirectory.com/adopportunities. For more information, or to get copies of the Fall Daytrips brochure, contact Advertising Director Joan Griswold at joang@hilltowncdc.org or 413-296-4536x102. 

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About the Hilltown Directory 

The Hilltown Community Development Corporation is a private non-profit organization that seeks to improve the quality of life for Hilltown residents by addressing economic, housing, education, social and community needs while preserving the rural character of the area.

Hilltown Arts Alliance Open Studio Tour set for
October 1st & 2nd, 2022

Village of Huntington Added to the Tour of 23 Artists’ Studios

Cummington, MA – The Hilltown Arts Alliance announced today that 23 artists who have chosen the beautiful and historic Western Massachusetts Hilltowns as a place to live and work will be opening their workspaces October 1 and 2, 2022 for the 4th annual Open Studio Tour. The weekend features art demonstrations and a full slate of food and drink opportunities from unique Hilltown artists and producers. This year, the picturesque and historic town of Huntington is being added to the tour. A Tour Hub & Community House Gallery featuring representative works of each artist is being set up at 33 Main St. in Cummington, MA.  Printed maps will be handed out and an interactive tour map is located at: hilltownartsalliance.org/tour-map.

“The rural Hilltowns are home to a thriving population of creative people,” says Hilltown Arts Alliance President Kathy Ford. “We may not be as well known as places like the Berkshires or Northampton, but the Hilltowns are where artists increasingly choose to live. The beauty of this place brings out the beauty in our artists' work. Here we have the room we need to create.”

New to the tour this year are: Elena Allee, who focuses on nature as a construct or memorial; Susanna White, whose oils and alkyds often focus on light and clouds somewhere between realism and abstraction; John Walker, a painter and fine woodworker who recently won first prize at the New England Arts Festival; and Laura Bundeson who explores the brain in all its complexity and beauty through both painting and fabric art.

Attendees of the tour will wander Scenic Byways 112 and 143, plus many backroads, at their leafiest time of year. The Hilltowns feature many hiking and walking trails, white-steepled villages, farms and orchards offering their fall bounty and a river so significant it is designated Wild & Scenic by the National Park Service.

As a complement to the artwork, local producers such as Sena Farm Brewery and Glendale Ridge Vineyard are offering special tastings for tour participants. The Farmer’s Daughter Food Truck will offer lunch in Worthington during the weekend and local restaurants are celebrating with seasonal menus.

The artists included are painters, sculptors, fabric artists, artisan jewelry makers, printmakers and ceramicists. The complete list of artists participating is: Gloria Conwell, Kathy Ford, Mark Shapiro, Jen Parrish-Hill. Elena Allee, Michael Falcone, John Walker, Ana Busto, Sergei Isupov, Kadri Pärnamets, Jeanne Johns, Leni Fried, Chris Bagg, Susanna White, Laura Bundesen, Olwen O’Herlihy Dowling,  Susan Flores, Laurie Israel, Guy Matsuda, Pleun Bouricius, Cyndy Sperry, David Marshall, Valerianna Claff.

The Open Studio Tour is made possible with support from the Hilltown Community Development Corporation, primary sponsors ArtsAngels, Community Foundation of Western Mass; Mass. Cultural Council, Hilltown Community Health Center. Secondary sponsors: Florence Bank, Mr. Tire, Cummington Supply, The Hilltown Land Trust.

For the most updated information on artists and events throughout the weekend, go to hilltownartsalliance.org.

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About the Hilltown Arts Alliance. The Hilltown Arts Alliance is a registered 501(c)(3), volunteer-run nonprofit arts organization serving the beautiful hilltowns of Western Massachusetts. These lush rolling hills are home to an impressive number of accomplished artists. Our mission is to spread the word! The Hilltown Arts Alliance seeks to connect and support local Hilltown artists and makers in their creative endeavors

Hilltown Mobile Market Announces 20 Participating Farms and 18 Delivery Locations for 2022 Season

All ordering is now online with expanded selection and convenience!

Chesterfield, MA, June 8, 2022 – The Hilltown Mobile Market is back for a fourth season with online ordering, expanded products offerings and 18 locations throughout the Hilltowns.  Customers will now be able to browse hundreds of products online grown by 20 local Hilltown producers during the season which runs from July 16-Nov 18.

New producers this year include Pause Pivot Farm, a new hydroponic greenhouse in Williamsburg, Cream of the Crop Farm in Russell, Foxtrot Herb Farm in Shelburne Falls, Grace Hill Dairy in Cummington, and Kinne Brook Farm in Worthington.  They will diversify the market with local beef, yogurt, eggs, cheese, microgreens, herbs, and more.  Returning producers Berniche Blueberry Farm in Chesterfield, Clark Brothers Orchard in Ashfield, Four Corners Farm in Worthington, Good Bunch Farm in Shelburne Falls, Intervale Farm in Westhampton, and Sawyer Farm in Worthington will provide a steady supply of delicious, freshly harvested fruits and vegetables all season long.

New partnerships have also enabled the market to expand to 18 locations with drop-off delivery at various retail stores and community centers. Customers will pick up their pre-orders during designated hours at each location.  Door delivery is also available for residents at Westhampton Woods, Hamblin Court, Highland Village Circle, Hillside Terrance, Nash Hill, and The Maples.

“Everything will be freshly picked to order and travel no more than 30 miles from the farm to your table” says Monica Guzik, Market Manager.  “It will be like shopping at all your favorite local farm stores and roadside farm stands right from your computer or phone.” 

Customers can sign up for a Hilltown Mobile Market farm share, which ranges from $150-$500, to spend down throughout the season.  The program directly supports local farmers but is more flexible than a traditional farm share box or CSA, allowing customers to select the items they want to receive.  There is a $20 minimum order but no weekly commitment. Customers can add to their balance anytime, or simply pay by the order.  Those with SNAP (food stamps) can also sign up for a fully reimbursable HIP CSA that automatically credits $40-$100 per month from their benefits to spend at the online market.

"You get to choose what you like to eat. Love carrots but not zucchini? The Hilltown Mobile Market enables you to enjoy what you want without any waste” says Seva Water, Market Coordinator.

The Market will open for online orders every Saturday starting July 16th.  Orders must be placed by Tuesday at 1pm for pickup either Thursday or Friday afternoon, depending on location. 

The Market is an innovative program of Hilltown Community Development working to increase market access for small Hilltown producers and provide healthy, affordable produce to all residents.  The grant-funded initiative began operating in Huntington and Cummington in 2019 and has now expanded to serve Blandford, Chester, Chesterfield, Middlefield, Westhampton, Williamsburg, Windsor, and Worthington.  The goal of the market is to eventually sustain operations year-round and become a viable distribution option for producers and consumers in the Hilltowns and beyond.

To learn more about the Hilltown Mobile Market visit www.hilltownmobilemarket.info or contact Monica Guzik at (413) 296-4536 x109

Town of Cummington Awarded $31K to Construct Two Pedestrian Crossings on Main Street

The Town of Cummington was recently awarded $31,000 in funding through the Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s Shared Streets and Spaces Grant Program. The program provides funding to municipalities and public transit authorities to quickly implement improvements to plazas, sidewalks, curbs, streets, bus stops, parking areas, and other public spaces in support of public health, safe mobility, and strengthened commerce. The program originally launched in response to the COVID-19 pandemic during the summer of 2020. The Town of Cummington applied for funding during the fourth grant application round in March 2022.

The grant will fund the construction of two new pedestrian crossings on Main Street: one at the Cummington Community House and another at the entrance to the Hillside Terrace Senior Housing. These new crossings will include ADA compliant pedestrian ramps, high-visibility pavement markings, and new signs to help people walk to these community destinations. The Town expects to begin construction in Summer 2023.

New Business Promotion Plan Released!

Revamped Business Directory and Regional Tourism Campaign

Chesterfield, MA – The Hilltown Community Development Corporation has announced that they have begun the process of revamping their business directory program for the digital age and are creating the region’s first cohesive tourism campaign. The directory, which was first produced as a print booklet in the 1980s, will now shift its emphasis to the online directory which has been streamlined to make it easier for Hilltown residents and visitors to find local businesses and attractions. In conjunction, a series of brochures will be created to promote tourism (2022 Fall Day-trips and and 2023 Summer Day-trips) as well as guides to Health & Wellness, Hilltown Living (home, building, auto), and Business Services. Twenty-five thousand tourism related brochures will be distributed in the Berkshires, The Pioneer Valley and throughout the Hilltowns in public places such as restaurants, town halls, general stores and libraries. Five thousand each of the local business related brochures will be distributed within the Hilltowns throughout 2023.

“The pandemic hit us all profoundly in ways that we could not expect. It forced some businesses to close, others to push more into online initiatives and increased workloads with the added headache of supply shortages,” says Dave Christopolis, Hilltown CDC Director. “We are now thinking about the future of business in the Hilltowns and how we can best support our unique village centers and foster a thriving business economy. The Hilltown Directory and the accompanying informational brochures are an important part of supporting Hilltowns businesses and we want to create them in the most sustainable and effective way possible.”

The Hilltown Community Development Corporation surveyed businesses in May 2022 about their pandemic experience and thoughts on the effectiveness of the old print directory. One hundred seventy business owners responded. “We found out that our businesses had concerns about the effectiveness of the directory as response is so difficult to track. We also tested our ideas about promoting the Hilltowns as a distinct and cohesive place to ‘eat, live and play” and found that business owners were overwhelmingly positive about these new initiatives.”

Due to the increased cost of paper, and concerns about sustainability, the CDC will no longer produce and mail the directory to every household, Brochures that largely replicate most of the listings of the old directory will be created.

“The CDC played an important role in supporting new businesses in the Hilltowns that opened during and after Covid-19 that are now thriving such as the Carm’s, the Common Table and their new ice cream store in Chester and the Williamsburg Country Store. The CDC’s new directory initiatives should further help locals find businesses and drive increased interest in our region,” continues Christopolis. “We are literally 30 minutes away from larger population centers and with concerns about gas prices rising, we hope to welcome more day-trippers from the surrounding areas to our unique rural way of life that includes so much natural beauty, agricultural richness and artistic expression.”

Businesses interested in getting involved are encouraged to look at the advertising opportunities at hilltowndirectory.com/adopportunities. The cost for a listing in the online directory for one year and inclusion in one print brochure is $100. For more information, contact Advertising Director Joan Griswold at joang@hilltowncdc.org or 413-296-4536x102. For inclusion in the Fall 2022 Day-trips Brochure the deadline is August 3, 2022. For inclusion in the online directory and one other brochure.:September 1, 2022

The Hilltown Community Development Corporation is a private non-profit organization that seeks to improve the quality of life for Hilltown residents by addressing economic, housing, education, social and community needs while preserving the rural character of the area.

Hilltown Community Development Corporation has been listening to your thoughts and created new business development initiatives. The pandemic hit us all profoundly in ways that we could not expect. We are thinking about the future of business in the Hilltowns and how we can best support our unique village centers and foster a thriving but responsible business economy.

We have been taking a hard look at both the print and online Hilltown Business Directory and conducted a survey that 170 of you answered. Thank you for your thoughtful consideration! Based on that survey we have made the following decisions:

·     We will promote the Hilltowns as a cohesive and wonderful place to live, work and play with a series of brochures distributed throughout the Hilltowns, the Berkshires and the Pioneer Valley as relevant to the topic.

·     For 2022 into 2023 these brochures will include: Fall Daytrips, Home & Auto; Health & Wellness, Business Services and Summer Daytrips.

·     We have simplified both the look and categorization of the online directory and make it easier to find and highlight your business. We will increase our search engine optimization, social media marketing and Google Adwords outreach so more people find us online.

·     We will create content features about local businesses and daytrip suggestions that are featured both online and in the brochures.

·     We will cease printing the full directory due to the rising cost of paper and our concerns about sustainability. Additionally, the survey revealed that business owners have not found it that effective. 

We have revised the website and will distribute the Fall Daytrips brochure mid August - October to take advantage of our most scenic, and well-traveled time of year. Please click here to see a mockup of the brochure that includes ad possibilities. The rate for 2022 will be $100 for an online listing that includes 35 words of copy, a photo carousel and inclusion in one of our brochures. Joan Griswold at the CDC (joang@hilltowncdc.org) is available to answer any questions you may have and take your ad insertions or you can place your ads through our web interface here. It's super simpler and should take less than 10 minutes. As always we welcome your thoughts and comments.

Sincerely,

Dave Christopolis

Executive Director

If you are interested in steady, local work and quick payment--

 Hilltown CDC is currently seeking General Contractors who are interested in bidding on Housing Rehabilitation projects funded by various state and federal grant programs. We recently received Housing Rehab funding, and we will be bidding many projects in the upcoming months.

 Projects are planned in the towns of Chesterfield, Cummington, Goshen, Plainfield, Peru, Worthington, and Williamsburg with projects typically ranging around $40,000-50,000. Contractors working on Hilltown CDC administered projects are assured payment for all approved work and a quick turnaround on invoices as well as a source of steady, local work year-round.

 A minimum of a Home Improvement license is required.  General Accident and Liability insurance as well as Workman’s Compensation insurance, if applicable, is also required.

HCDC is an EEO/Section 3 Employer. Women & members of minority groups are encouraged to apply.

Please contact Adam Korelitz, Program Manager, at (413) 296-4536, ext. 123 for an application or email adamk@hilltowncdc.org. 

The Hilltown Mobile Market is back for a fourth season, with a new business model that will increase efficiency and accessibility to customers throughout the Hilltowns.  Fresh, Hilltown-grown products will now be listed online for customers to order in advance and pickup a few days later at a nearby retail business.  The new platform means that produce will be freshly picked to order from partnering farms throughout the Hilltowns.  It will also allow the market to sell locally produced meat, dairy and eggs which have been frequently requested by customers since the market began in 2019.

“This year we will be able to move more products and serve more Hilltowners than ever before,” says Market Coordinator Seva Water.  “We have been surveying customers each year and this model offers so much more choice, flexibility, and convenience.”

The online market does not open until July, but customers can get in on the season early by purchasing a farm share, which will work as a spend down balance on the storefront. “Orders can be placed each week or as often as it works for the customer,” explains Monica Guzik, Market Manager.  “If you can’t come one week, you won’t miss out.”  The market is also planning to extend the season six weeks this year, through mid-November, with hopes of soon being able to operate the mobile market year-round.

Multiple farm share choices and payment plans keep the price affordable for Hilltown families, with a “Food Security” share option available for folks who may not qualify for SNAP (food stamps) or other food assistance programs.  The $150 share comes with an extra $50 of store credit, for a total of $200 to spend at the market.  For those who do receive SNAP, a special program through DTA allows customers to automatically direct $40 or $60 of their monthly HIP benefit to spend on the online store.  Other options include the Hilltown Small at $200, Hilltown Large at $400, and a Helping Hand Share at $500, which includes a $100 donation that funds two additional Food Security Shares for Hilltown families. Donations to cover the costs of operation and shares for low-income families are also gratefully accepted.

In lieu of in-person farmers markets, which were difficult to keep stocked and required risky upfront purchasing by market staff, customers’ orders will instead be pre-packed and delivered to retail business to over a dozen locations throughout the Hilltowns including B&D Variety Store in Huntington, the Chesterfield General Store, the Old Creamery in Cummington, and Sena Brewery in Worthington.  A full list of towns and delivery locations is available on the website at hilltownmobilemarket.info

“These new business partnerships are critical to the success of the mobile market.  It’s a win-win for the brick-and-morter stores to bring in new customers and expand their offering to include more local products” says Guzik.

The Mobile Market also plans to make weekly stops at seven low-income and senior housing complexes to bring food directly to residents, many of whom are tenants of Hilltown CDC.  These stops will also accept in-person payment for customers using SNAP, WIC and Senior Coupons. “We want to everyone to be able to enjoy what our neighborhood farms have to offer, regardless of income or other life factors,” says Water.  “We are building a strong network of farms and people to revive a thriving local agricultural economy.

Several new Hilltown producers are planning to come on board to take advantage of the new platform.  Core produce farms including Four Corners and Sawyer Farm in Worthington, Good Bunch Farm in Shelburne Falls, Hart Farm in Conway, Intervale Farm in Westhampton, and Crabapple Farm in Chesterfield will be joined this year by Pause Pivot Farm, a new hydroponic greenhouse in Williamsburg, Grace Hill Dairy in Cummington, Mayval Creamery in Westhampton, and Blue Heaven Blueberry Farm in Middlefield.  Interested producers are encouraged to reach out to Seva Water to learn more about joining the online market platform this year.

“We have been fortunate to receive many grants over the last four years to launch this market, and now our challenge is to chart a path towards sustainability,” says Hunt Chase, Director of Community Programs at the Hilltown CDC.  “People have really responded to this project and would love to see it grow to incorporate more farms and visit more towns.  This year we are excited to do exactly that.”

To learn more about the Hilltown Mobile Market and signup for a farm share this year visit www.hilltownmobilemarket.info or contact Seva Water at (413) 296-4536 x116

March 2, 2022 - Senator Adam Hinds presented a check for $50,000 to the Hilltown Mobile Market on the porch of the Sawyer Farm Store in Worthington this afternoon. The funding comes from the Massachusetts legislature through the American Rescue Plan or ARPA.

Hinds was quoted saying that the Hilltown Mobile Market solves many of the challenges we face in the Hilltowns with one innovative project, connecting residents with limited access to food and transportation to a market that also prioritizes the economic viability of local farms.

Hilltown CDC is grateful to the Senator for his support and to all the partners that have made this project possible. Hilltown Community Health Center, the Collaborative for Educational Services, and Cooley Dickinson Health Care have all worked together with Hilltown CDC over the years to address food insecurity in our communities.

The Hilltown Mobile Market 2022 season will begin July 16th and run through November 18th. Farm shares are will be available for purchase soon as well! For more information about the market please visit www.hilltownmobilemarket.info

The Channel22 WWLP story can be found at https://www.wwlp.com/news/local-market-makes-food-more-accessible-for-community/

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has made $75 million available to support small businesses negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. These funds will be administered through two different grant programs, the New Applicant Grant Program and the Inclusive Grant Program. 

For more information visit the links below or contact Michele Kenney, Economic Development Coordinator at michele@hilltowncdc.org or 413-354-1055

New Applicant Grant Program

Learn More

This program was created to provide $25,000,000 in support of businesses negatively impacted by COVID-19 that have not previously received financial relief from MGCC’s COVID-19 Relief Grant Programs.

Inclusive Grant Program

Learn More

This program has $50,000,000 available to businesses that focus on reaching markets predominantly made up of socially and economically disadvantaged and historically underrepresented groups, underserved markets, and those owned by minorities, women, veterans, disabled individuals, or those that identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community.

APPLICATION PERIOD

Both programs follow the same timeline:

February 23, 2022 - Applications Open

April 4, 2022 - Applications Close

GRANT AMOUNTS

Both programs will award grants ranging from:

$10,000 - $75,000

ELIGIBLE USE OF GRANT FUNDS

Both programs have the same options:

• Employee payroll and benefits costs

• Interest on other debt obligations incurred after March 3, 2021

• Cost to pivot company due to COVID-19 pandemic

• Business mortgage or rent and utilities

“What Happened at The Veterans Home?” is a homegrown indie film, written, directed, produced, and scored by Cummington musician Laura Wetzler. Laura and cinematographer Jared Skolnick shot it safely, one actor at a time, over the course of eight days in Florence, Agawam, Holyoke, and Greenfield, MA.

This 50-minute award-winning film is an emotional drama about a disabled veteran, her nurse daughter, and a CNA aid worker caught dead center in the pandemic nursing home tragedy, who refuse to be silenced.

Date: Sunday, March 20, 2022 Time: 2 pm

Where: The Academy of Music 274 Main St. Northampton MA

Tickets on sale now at: aomtheatre.com or 413.584.9032

Tickets: $18-20.+

To register for complementary tickets for veterans and health care workers (100 tickets available) contact: info@nervygirlfilms.com.

An Official Selection at 25 international film festivals, “What Happened at the Veterans Home?” has won numerous prestigious awards, including Best Screenplay in Paris, Best Feature in Athens, Best Humanitarian Film in Prague, Best Actress in Amsterdam and Naples, and Honorable Mention at The Cannes World Film Festival, among others.

Looking to expand your Hilltown farm business?

Need assistance on land access, business planning, marketing, soil building, or grant writing? Interested in becoming a producer for the 2022 Hilltown Mobile Market?

Hilltown Community Development is hosting two virtual meetings this month to let you know about current and upcoming business opportunities.  If you are looking to network with other producers, expand your farm or food business, or would like to apply for a wide variety of farm business technical assistance, please join us for the first meeting.  If you are interested in becoming a producer for the Hilltown Mobile Market this year, please attend the second meeting:

Weds. Feb 9th 6-7PM - RSVP FOR ZOOM LINK HERE  A brief check-in for all producers. We have some info to share about farm technical assistance funds (that must be spent out by June 30, please do apply) and will sketch out general support that HCDC can provide this year – communication and networking, farm-to-farm collaboration, interest in summer farm tours, and a quick overview of the Hilltown Mobile Market project.

Mon. Feb 21st 6-7PM -RSVP FOR ZOOM LINK HERE A deep dive into plans we are making for this year’s Mobile Market which includes some exciting new changes to previous years. Anyone curious about becoming a producer for the mobile market this year should plan to attend

2021 Mobile Market Operator Monica Guzik, originally from Huntington, recently completed her master’s degree in Sustainability Science at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. For her final coursework she prepared an analysis of the impact that the Hilltown Mobile Market has had on farms and consumers in the Hilltowns since its inception in 2019.

Click here to read the 2019-2021 Impact Report!