A crowd gathers at an open house at the Plant Connector in downtown North Adams. Press photo by Kate Abbott

Jobs

Here are the Hill Country Observer’s articles about jobs, listed from newest to oldest. Questions about local economies surface in The Hill Country Observer as we follow movements in co-ops, small businesses, nonprofits and sustainable ways to make a living in our rural communities and support kinds of work that fulfill workers and local needs.

  • Issue:

    A downtown makeover begins

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    Bennington sees landmark buildings as key to reviving its urban core The former Putnam Hotel and two neighboring buildings in the center of downtown Bennington are the focus of a redevelopment effort that started construction in June. photo by Joan K. Lentini   By EVAN LAWRENCEContributing writer BENNINGTON, Vt. After two years of delays and read more

    A downtown makeover begins
  • Issue:

    Vermont weighs rules for slate quarries

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    Industry warns of costs and job losses, but critics see need for oversight Tom Beebe hammers a large piece of slate so that it will be able to fit onto the processing belt at the Sheldon Slate Products facility in Poultney. Joan K. Lentini photo   By EVAN LAWRENCEContributing writer POULTNEY, Vt. A legislative battle read more

    Vermont weighs rules for slate quarries
  • Issue:

    Changing rules for immigrant driver’s licenses?

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    N.Y., Mass. debate changes to help immigrant workers Emerson Exante, a legal immigrant from Guatemala who works at a Washington County dairy farm, shows off his new New York driver’s license. But for the many undocumented workers at farms and elsewhere in the region, getting a license isn’t an option. Legislative proposals to change that read more

    Changing rules for immigrant driver’s licenses?
  • Issue: ,

    Colleges on the brink

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    Demographic, financial pressures spell doom for three area schools Southern Vermont College President David R. Evans stands on the patio outside his office in the college’s Everett Mansion. The college is one of three in the region that plan to close this spring. Joan K. Lentini photo   By EVAN LAWRENCEContributing writer     With read more

    Colleges on the brink
  • Issue:

    Cleaner than coal? — Cement plant’s plan raises concern

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    Cement company’s alternative-fuel plan raises questions about air emissions The sprawling Lehigh Cement Co. plant in Glens Falls is seeking approval from state regulators to supplement its normal fuel supply of coal and natural gas with raggertail, a mixture of plastic and paper left over the process of recycling paper and cardboard. Joan K. Lentini read more

    Cleaner than coal? — Cement plant’s plan raises concern
  • Issue:

    Recycling’s season of discontent

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    Haulers, local governments struggle as waste markets disappear A truck delivers a load of recyclables to TAM Recycling in Pownal. The pile in the foreground contains about 1.5 days worth of cardboard recyclables that have been delivered and are awaiting processing at the facility. Joan K. Lentini photo   By EVAN LAWRENCEContributing writer POWNAL, Vt. read more

    Recycling’s season of discontent
  • Issue:

    Honoring black history in the Berkshires

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    Group aims to transform former church into visitor, cultural center Beth Carlson and Wray Gunn Sr. stand in front of the former Clinton A.M.E. Zion Church in Great Barrington. Carlson and Gunn both serve on the board of a 2-year-old nonprofit group that hopes to transform the building into a visitor and cultural center celebrating read more

    Honoring black history in the Berkshires
  • Issue:

    State rewrites manure rules for large farms

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    After legal fight, many N.Y. farms opt for alternative set of regulations State environmental regulators in New York have drafted new rules aimed at preventing water pollution from large dairy farms — after a judge tossed out an earlier rewrite of the rules. Rob Barendse file photo   By EVAN LAWRENCEContributing writer   New York read more

    State rewrites manure rules for large farms
  • Issue:

    In the Berkshires, preparing for legal marijuana sales

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    Mass. retailers get set for legal marijuana sales, raising questions for N.Y., Vermont Theory Wellness opened the Berkshires’ first medical marijuana dispensary, above, in Great Barrington two years ago. Now it’s one of the first four retailers in Berkshire County that are expected to begin selling to anyone over 21 after the state’s voters backed read more

    In the Berkshires, preparing for legal marijuana sales
  • Issue:

    Fruit and fulfillment

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    An orchard’s attractions keep growing, covering apples to art Peaches grown at Love Apple Farm are among the attractions in the weeks before apple season begins at the Columbia County orchard. The farm has been a local destination since the late 1960s, but like many other pick-your-own operations, it has been expanding its scale and read more

    Fruit and fulfillment