Franklin County Launches Monthly Green Energy Meetups

Clean energy professionals and climate advocates now have a new place to connect in Franklin County, Massachusetts.

Over a dozen people gathered at Incandescent Brewing in Bernardston last week for the region's first Green Drinks event. The casual networking meetup brings together anyone interested in sustainable energy, from industry professionals to curious community members.

Kristin Cole and Samantha Wood from Greenfield Community College's Workforce Development program organized the event alongside MassHire Franklin Hampshire Career Center, the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, and FirstLight Power. They were inspired by similar gatherings that had run for years in nearby Northampton.

Green Drinks started in London during the 1990s and has since grown into a global movement. Monthly meetups now happen in cities worldwide, creating spaces where people passionate about environmental solutions can share ideas and build relationships.

The first Franklin County gathering attracted attendees from diverse backgrounds. Representatives from Greenfield Community College, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, and several local energy companies swapped stories about the latest clean energy technology and policy changes.

Conversations ranged from residential solar tax credits to new industry developments. Ryan Martin, co-owner of Current Energy in Bernardston, reassured attendees that solar projects remain worthwhile investments despite recent changes to residential tax incentives.

The Ripple Effect

The meetup's informal atmosphere helped ease typical networking stress. Jessye Deane, executive director of the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, noted how quickly strangers became engaged in meaningful conversations about making the region greener.

Wood celebrated the diversity of attendees, from design and build professionals to representatives from American Farmland Trust. Having people from different organizations and roles gathering under one roof creates opportunities for collaboration that might never happen otherwise.

The monthly events will continue on the fourth Thursday of each month from 4 to 6 p.m. at Incandescent Brewing. Cole emphasized they're starting small with plans to grow the community over time through relationship building and shared passion for clean energy work.

Regional partnerships like this demonstrate how grassroots organizing can strengthen both business connections and environmental progress in local communities.