Great Barrington, MA – Today, Congressman Richard E. Neal joined Jenise Lucey, Executive Director of the Berkshire South Regional Community Center (Berkshire South), the Berkshire South Board of Directors, Berkshire South staff, and state and local officials to announce a $1,015,000 earmark for the Berkshire South North Wing Expansion Project. This allocation was made possible through Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) from the Rural Housing Service with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Congressman Neal included funding for this project in the Fiscal Year 2026 spending bill.
“Understanding the important role that Berkshire South plays for residents of all ages, I was proud to secure funding to support the expansion of this beloved facility. As we approach the 25th anniversary of the opening of Berkshire South, I am delighted to join with residents of South County in marking the organization’s next chapter that will allow its dedicated staff and volunteers to continue serving the community for decades to come,” said Congressman Richard E. Neal. “As an organization that provides services for individuals at every stage of life, this investment will impact every generation. Whether it’s providing child care for working families or offering wellness and fitness programs to our seniors, Berkshire South not only improves the quality of life for local residents, but also strengthens our local economy. This is a great day for the people of South County, and it is a privilege to be a part of this celebration.”
Founded in 2002, Berkshire South provides health, wellness, and education programs and initiatives to thousands of children, adults, older adults, and families throughout South County. After 24 years of operation, Berkshire South has seen a steady increase in demand for its services, underscoring the essential role the center plays in the community. As a result, Berkshire South will commence a two-part project aimed at enhancing wellness, fostering social connections, and bolstering early childhood services.
“We are beyond thrilled to receive this federal appropriation. Since opening our doors in 2002, Berkshire South Regional Community Center has held a long-term vision of growth to better meet the evolving needs of our community. These funds will allow us to expand our campus to include infant and toddler care, enhance our fitness center, add dedicated programming space, and relocate our administrative offices to better support our operations,” said Jenise Lucey, Executive Director of Berkshire South Regional Community Center. “A donation of about an acre of land from the Great Barrington Land Conservancy in 2017 made it possible for us to meaningfully plan for this expansion, and the support from Congressman Neal’s office now helps turn that vision into reality. This investment will also be instrumental in helping us leverage additional funding needed to complete the project.”
Funding secured by Congressman Neal will support Berkshire South’s North Wing Expansion project, phase one of the two-part project. Phase One will add 6,000 square feet to Berkshire South’s facility, a 15% increase to the current 40,000-square-foot facility. This added space will allow Berkshire South to expand its current fitness center by adding two open-space rooms, and upgrade the facility’s HVAC system. This expansion will not only address the need for increased capacity to meet increased demand, but it will also enhance accessibility for individuals with disabilities. Additionally, it will provide space for community programs and administrative offices, further enriching the services offered.
“Each year, Berkshire South welcomes more than 200,000 visits and serves over 230 children through our year-round childcare programs,” continued Lucey. “This expansion will allow us to deepen our impact and continue serving our community; now and into the future.”
Under guidelines issued by the Senate and House Appropriations Committees, members of Congress requested CDS funding for projects in their state for Fiscal Year 2026. CDS requests were restricted to a limited number of federal funding streams, and only state and local governments and eligible non-profit entities were permitted to receive CDS funding. This project is one of fifteen CDS projects submitted by Congressman Neal, investing in a variety of initiatives throughout the First Congressional District of Massachusetts.
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