BUSINESS BRIEFS July 6, 2026: Business news in the Berkshires and beyond

July 6, 2026 - 09:07

The Du Bois Freedom Center in Great Barrington has announced a new partnership with a regional arts council to launch a youth entrepreneurship program focused on preserving African American historical narratives. Starting this fall, the initiative will offer paid internships for local high school students to create digital exhibits and community archives. The center's director said the program aims to connect young people with the legacy of W.E.B. Du Bois while building practical business skills.

At the Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield, officials reported a 12 percent increase in summer membership renewals compared to last year, driven by new family-friendly science workshops and a rotating exhibit on regional industrial history. The museum also secured a grant to upgrade its climate control systems, allowing it to host traveling collections from larger institutions.

The Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge is preparing for its annual gala in August, with proceeds supporting a new scholarship for local art students. The museum recently completed a renovation of its main gallery, adding interactive touchscreens that let visitors explore Rockwell's creative process. Ticket sales for the gala are already outpacing last year's numbers.

Elsewhere in the region, a downtown North Adams coffee shop reopened after a two-month renovation, adding a small event space for local musicians. The owner said the expansion was funded through a small business loan from a community development bank. Meanwhile, the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission is accepting applications for its small business resilience grant, which offers up to ten thousand dollars for technology upgrades and marketing assistance. The deadline is August 15.