Need help paying for childcare? Childcare subsidies are available for working families with children ages 0-5 residing in the towns of Chesterfield, Cummington, Goshen, Peru, Plainfield, and Worthington. 

 If your gross household annual income is below the limits listed, you may be eligible for assistance in paying for your childcare costs:

Household of 2          $51,650

Household of 3          $58,100

Household of 4          $64,550

Household of 5          $69,750

Household of 6          $80,050

Parents must be working, or in a vocational or educational program during childcare hours to qualify.  Payments are made directly to the licensed daycare provider of your choice. Depending on income and attendance, the program may be able to cover all or most of monthly costs. 

 Please contact Steve Herzberg for an application by calling 413.588.6693 or via email steven_herzberg@msn.com

This Program is offered through the Hilltown Community Development and is funded by a Community Development Block Grant from the Massachusetts Department of Housing & Community Development and the Town of Chesterfield. This is an Equal Opportunity Program

Community Action is now booking appointments in Greenfield, Northampton and Ware for new applicants to the Winter Fuel Assistance Program. The program helps eligible families by paying a portion of their heating bills from Nov 1 to April 30. If you are a Massachusetts resident in Franklin or Hampshire County living on a low or fixed income you are encouraged to apply.

Eligibility is based on the number of people in your household and the combined gross income of all person in the household.

If you are a first time applicant you must apply in person. If you have participated in past years you will receive your application by mail and do not need to apply in person.

To apply call 413-774-2310 (Franklin County) or 800-370-0940 (Hampshire Country) or go online at www.communityaction.us

Annual Income Limits:

Household of 1 - $35,510

Household of 2 - $46,437

Household of 3 - $57,363

Household of 4 - $68, 289

Household of 5 - $79,215

Household of 6 - $90,141

Household of 7 - $92,190

This fall the Hilltown CDC celebrated the completion of the Goshen Senior Housing project.  Highland Village Circle consists of ten one-bedroom apartments for tenants who are at least 62 years old and who meet income qualifications. The apartments are located in the town center, across Route 9 from Town Hall and within walking distance to the Municipal Office Building, the Council on Aging, the Congregational Church, the post office, and the general store. Goshen’s Select Board appointed the Goshen Elder Housing Committee in the year 2010 to explore the possibility of building housing for senior citizens. The five-member committee met for eight years and worked with the Hilltown CDC to make this idea into a reality. At the September 28th Open House a proclamation by the Massachusetts State Senate honored the five members of the Goshen Elder Housing Committee, all of whom served for the entire eight-year period from the time of their appointment until the completion of the project. Job well done!

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

FREE Small Business Classes!

The Village Enterprise Center in collaboration with the Hilltown CDC, Southern Hilltown Adult Education Center and Jacob's Ladder Business Association is offering an ongoing series of classes and workshops aimed at assisting entrepreneurs and small business owners to start and grow their businesses in the Hilltowns!

Here is a sampling of classes offered this fall in both Chester and Chesterfield:

• Social Media for Business: learn the basics of social media for business and how to market your products and services on Facebook and Instagram.

• Beginner and Intermediate Quickbooks: hone your bookkeeping skills.

• Photography for Online Sales: learn how to photograph your products for sale.

• Paypal for Buisness: learn how to accept payments on your website or in person and email invoices to your customers.

• You Tube for Business: create your own channel and start posting videos.

For more information check out the latest Hilltown Small Business Assistance Newsletter . To reserve your spot call the VEC at 413-354-1055 or email Michele !