CHESTERFIELD — Small businesses and nonprofits in the Hilltowns could be in line for a financial boost if a $250,000 budget amendment introduced by Sen. Adam Hinds stays in the final state budget for fiscal 2021.
The Pittsfield senator said he’s “very confident” that the money, included in the Senate’s nearly $46 billion budget approved last week, will make it through the budgetary process.
“We really hope to have this in people’s pockets really quickly,” said Hinds, whose district stretches from the New York border to Williamsburg. “Winter is here.”
Of the $250,000 in funding, $100,000 will be made available for the Greater Shelburne Falls Business Association for use in its membership area. The Hilltown CDC will distribute the remaining $150,000 and will create an application process for businesses, nonprofits and individuals to use, Hinds said.
Hinds is hopeful that the money will become available for people to apply for by next month. “It’ll largely be first come, first serve,” Hinds said.
Hinds said that a lot of the businesses in the Hilltowns depend on a strong summer and fall, and that this hasn’t been the case for a number of businesses this year, due to COVID-19.
“This is a way to help get through the winter months,” he said.
Bera Dunau can be reached at bdunau@gazettenet.com.