Training Events
The Massachusetts Small Business Development Center - Berkshire Region conducts free and low-cost workshops and conferences addressing a wide range of concerns for both start-up and existing businesses. Many of these programs are cosponsored with local chambers of commerce, colleges and universities, community development organizations, trade associations, banks and corporate sponsors.
For a complete listing of Massachusetts SBDC seminars offered throughout the state, please visit the statewide calendar at www.msbdc.org. Visit our video page for past trainings and helpful videos.
Conversations That Matter: A Practical Guide to Grants with Expert Karen Pelto
We are pleased to invite Berkshire County small business owners to join us for an upcoming podcast focused on grant funding and financial support opportunities available to businesses in our region. This session is designed to help local entrepreneurs better understand the grant landscape and how to position their businesses for funding success.
Topics will include:
- How to write a strong, competitive grant application
- The types of grants available to small businesses and common funding sources, including local, state, and federal programs
- How and where to find grant opportunities relevant to Berkshire County and Massachusetts-based businesses
- An overview of our grant writing and support services for small businesses seeking funding
Whether you’re launching, growing, or stabilizing your business, this podcast will offer practical guidance and insights to help you pursue funding with greater clarity and confidence.
The speaker will be Karen Pelto, coordinator of the Berkshire Funding Focus at the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission.
Date: Thursday, February 19, 2026
Time: 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. EST
Location: Online
Cost: No charge
Contact: Massachusetts SBDC - Berkshire Region at
413-545-0932
Cosponsored by the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission
Conversations That Matter: Breaking Growth Barriers in Small Manufacturing: A Conversation with Ben Sosne
Join us for a virtual conversation with Ben Sosne of the Berkshire Innovation Center focused on the real opportunities and challenges facing small manufacturing businesses in Berkshire County and across Western Massachusetts.
This open, interactive discussion will explore where local manufacturers most often hit growth barriers—such as workforce, capacity, technology, and capital—and how the Berkshire Innovation Center can serve as a practical partner in overcoming them.
This event is designed for owners, founders, and operators of small manufacturing businesses. The session will highlight actionable resources, collaboration opportunities, and a forward-looking view of what manufacturing success in the region can look like over the next several years.
The speaker will be Ben Sosne, executive director of the Berkshire Innovation Center.
Date: Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Time: 10:00-11:00 a.m. ET
Location: Online
Cost: No charge
Contact: Massachusetts SBDC - Berkshire Region at
413-545-0932
Cosponsored by Berkshire Innovation Center
Click on icon below to listen to recordings from our recent podcasts, Conversations That Matter.
Massachusetts SBDC training events are supported by federal taxpayer funds. By registering, you certify that you are legally authorized to receive services funded by U.S. taxpayer dollars, in accordance with applicable federal law and regulations.