Initiatives
Berkshire Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS)
The Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) is an ongoing regional effort focused on identifying economic goals and priorities and measuring progress in the region. The resulting 5-year Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for Berkshire County and accompanying annual progress reports are submitted to the Economic Development Administration (EDA) in order to maintain the region’s eligibility for EDA investments.
View InitiativeBerkshire Funding Focus
Berkshire Funding Focus was established to support Berkshire County entities seeking federal and state funds for pandemic-related recovery and rebuilding and building organizational and sector capacity for the long term.
View InitiativeEconomic Development District
BRPC secured Economic Development District designation on behalf of Berkshire County from the U.S. Economic Development Administration in early 2022. The primary purpose of an EDD is to implement the economic development activities and priorities set forth in the region’s CEDS. Berkshire County stands to benefit from EDD status through increased access to regional economic development funds as well as public works assistance grants for individual municipalities.
View InitiativeShared Economic Development Planning
The Shared Economic Development Planning program allows each participating town to access services and assistance that fit their specific needs and budget. Participating towns have requested assistance with a wide range of economic development planning projects.
View InitiativeProjects
Adams Economic Development Planning
Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC) is providing the services of an Economic Development planner to assist the Town of Adams to advance economic development activities in the town, specifically pertaining to the Greylock Glen Development Project.
View ProjectArtWeek Berkshires
BRPC assists the five designated Cultural Districts of Berkshire County in coordinating ArtWeek Berkshires, an annual festival celebrating creativity in the region.
View ProjectBerkshires Outside Website Phase II
BRPC will collaborate with communities in the Berkshire County portion of the Woodlands Partnership area to implement improvements to the BerkshiresOutside website and conduct outreach and promotion to address EEA’s goal of increasing economic development related to natural resource-based tourism.
View ProjectClarksburg Municipal Digital Equity Planning
Berkshire Regional Planning Commission was selected by Clarksburg to lead a Digital Equity Planning process that includes a comprehensive existing conditions analysis; expanded community/stakeholder engagement related to digital literacy, devices, connectivity, affordability, and digital equity; strategic recommendations to meet the needs and goals of residents experiencing impacts of the digital divide; and an assessment of existing or future funding available through sources such as the American Rescue Plan Act ("ARPA") and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act ("IIJA").
View ProjectDalton Municipal Digital Equity Planning
To create a Municipal Digital Equity Plan for the town of Dalton through a multi-pronged process involving municipal coordination, situational analysis of existing conditions, community outreach and engagement, exploration of future funding opportunities, and recommendation development leading to a final report and plan.
View ProjectEnvironmental Education Exhibit at Greylock Glen
Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, in collaboration with Adams, North Adams, Williamstown, Cheshire, and other northern Berkshire communities, will design and implement an indoor educational exhibit highlighting regional climate change impacts, forest-focused solutions, and the value of land conservation for people and wildlife.
View ProjectGreat Barrington Economic Development Planning
Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC) is providing the services of an Economic Development planner to assist the Town of Great Barrington to advance economic development activities in the town.
View ProjectLanesborough Economic Development Planning
Berkshire Regional Planning Commission is providing the services of an Economic Development planner to assist the Town of Lanesborough advance economic development activities in the town.
View ProjectMonterey Municipal Digital Equity Planning
To lead a Municipal Digital Equity Charrette for the town of Monterey, which will involve workshop preparation and facilitation, municipal coordination, analysis of existing conditions, community outreach and engagement, exploration of future funding opportunities, and recommendation development leading to a mini-plan following the charrette.
View ProjectNew Marlborough Municipal Digital Equity Planning
Berkshire Regional Planning Commission was selected by New Marlborough to lead a Digital Equity Planning process leading to a charrette that includes a comprehensive existing conditions analysis; short-term community/stakeholder engagement related to digital literacy, devices, connectivity, affordability, and digital equity; strategic recommendations to meet the needs and goals of residents experiencing impacts of the digital divide; and an assessment of existing or future funding available through sources such as the American Rescue Plan Act ("ARPA") and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act ("IIJA").
View ProjectOtis, Becket, Washington, & Windsor Municipal Digital Equity Planning
Berkshire Regional Planning Commission was selected by four "High Fiber" towns to lead a Digital Equity Planning process that includes a comprehensive existing conditions analysis; expanded community/stakeholder engagement related to digital literacy, devices, connectivity, affordability, and digital equity; strategic recommendations to meet the needs and goals of residents experiencing impacts of the digital divide; and an assessment of existing or future funding available through sources such as the American Rescue Plan Act ("ARPA") and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act ("IIJA").
View ProjectOutdoor Recreation Website
Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, in partnership with 1Berkshire and stakeholders from the region, will establish an outdoor recreation website for Berkshire County. This site will provide users with information regarding a wide range of outdoor recreation activities, their locations, technical difficulty, seasonality, and conditions, etc.
View ProjectPartnership Planning - CEDS Implementation
Berkshire Regional Planning Commission and the Berkshire County Economic Development District (designated by EDA) receive annual funding to support implementation of the region's Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS).
View ProjectPittsfield Cultural Plan
This grant from the National Endowment for the Arts will allow Berkshires Tomorrow, Inc. to partner with the City of Pittsfield to support the development of a community-led cultural plan for the City of Pittsfield and its residents that centers arts as a strategic tool to address deep-seated community challenges, improve livability, and foster inclusive civic engagement.
View ProjectSouthern Berkshire County Municipal Digital Equity Planning
To create a Municipal Digital Equity Plan for the towns of Great Barrington, Lenox, Lee, Sheffield, Stockbridge, and West Stockbridge through a multi-pronged process involving municipal coordination, situational analysis of existing conditions, community outreach and engagement, exploration of future funding opportunities, and recommendation development leading to a final report and plan.
View ProjectReports
Berkshire County Outdoor Recreation Plan 2020
BRPC, with support from Mill Town, published the Berkshire County Outdoor Recreation Plan in 2020. The initial Plan included an asset inventory, updated on an...
View Report