BOSTON - Senator Benjamin B. Downing (D – Pittsfield) and Representative Smitty Pignatelli (D – Lenox) announced today the town of Great Barrington has been selected by the state Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and MassHousing to receive a grant for up to $45,000 from the Priority Development Fund.  This funding will assist the town in its planning process necessary for obtaining town meeting approval to dispose of the Searles-Bryant School complex.

"I am pleased to see DHCD and Mass Housing support Great Barrington moving forward with the redevelopment of the Searles-Bryant School Complex,” said Downing.  “Great Barrington's desire to incorporate the principles of sustainable development into the project is just the type of efforts the state should be championing.  It is my hope that this collaboration is one that continues through to the project’s completion."

The goal of the Priority Development Grant (PDF) Planning Assistance funds is to increase the supply of housing in the Commonwealth by encouraging community-based planning that will lead directly to housing production.  DHCD administers these funds on behalf of MassHousing pursuant to a Memorandum of Agreement between the agencies. 

“This project is a cornerstone among the ever-increasing economic development of Great Barrington. I look forward to watching the redevelopment of the Searles-Bryant school buildings and I am certain that the project will add to the vitality of our region,” stated Pignatelli.