Utica, N.Y. — The Mohawk Valley Community College Foundation, Inc., was awarded a three-year $36,000 naming sponsorship and an additional $5,000 from Berkshire Bank Foundation to support MVCC’s entrepreneurial ventures at thINCubator and the College’s Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!), respectively.
“Berkshire Bank understands the importance of providing financial education to assist local communities to fuel small businesses,” stated Jennifer Hunt, AVP, commercial administrative manager. “We are proud to support Mohawk Valley entrepreneurs with tailored financial solutions to empower communities to innovate businesses, create jobs, and grow wealth.”
Today, a naming ceremony was held at thINCubator with Berkshire Bankers and the MVCC Foundation to celebrate Berkshire’s generous support. In attendance to cut the ribbon at the event were Gary Levante, SVP, Corporate Social Responsibility, Berkshire Bank; Jim Morris, Regional President, New York Region, Berkshire Bank; Randall VanWagoner, President, Mohawk Valley Community College; Lori Kiely, Director, Berkshire Bank Foundation; and Nitin Mhatre, CEO, Berkshire Bank.
The naming sponsorship will turn thINCubator’s Community Room into the Berkshire Bank Room, a critical resource for startups and small businesses in the region, according to thINCubator Director Ryan Miller.
“Our mission is to provide local entrepreneurs with the resources they need to be successful no matter where they are in their journey — from programs to mentorship to facility resources,” Miller said. “Our partners at Berkshire Bank share the same vision and we’re grateful for their continued support as we serve the Mohawk Valley business community.”
YEA! is a program that transforms local middle and high school students into real, confident entrepreneurs. This afterschool program takes students in grades six through 12 through the process of starting and running their own real businesses. Students work in close cooperation with local business leaders, community members, and educators to develop ideas and goals, write business plans, pitch to potential investors, obtain funding, develop their brand identity, and more. The program’s goal is to help students embrace their passion, energy, creativity, and talents; launch a venture; and develop a stronger and more diverse small-business community in the region.
About Berkshire Bank
Berkshire Bank is a relationship-driven, community-focused bank that delivers industry-leading financial expertise to clients in New England and New York and is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE: BHLB), headquartered in Boston. With $12.4 billion in assets and 96 financial centers, the Bank provides a full suite of tailored banking solutions through its Commercial Banking, Retail Banking, Consumer Lending, Private Banking and Wealth Management divisions. For more than 175 years, Berkshire has delivered strength, stability and trusted advice to empower the financial potential of its clients and communities. Newsweek named Berkshire one of America’s Most Trusted Companies and one of America’s Best Regional Banks. To learn more, visit Berkshirebank.com and follow Berkshire on Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Media Contact:
Alicia Jacobs, AVP, Public Relations Officer, communications@berkshirebank.com, 413-242-6540x 6540
About Mohawk Valley Community College
Mohawk Valley Community College, established in 1946, is New York State’s first community college with a mission to provide accessible, high-quality educational opportunities for everyone. As the community’s college, MVCC is committed to student success through partnerships, transfer and career pathways, and personal enrichment. With campuses in Utica and Rome, MVCC is the region’s primary provider of college education, offering 90 degree and certificate options for its enrollment of 6,000 full- and part-time students. MVCC also serves an additional 6,000 people through its corporate and community education programs.
