Economic Development

economic-development

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.

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Digital Equity Planning

BRPC is a pre-qualified consultant to provide services to municipalities participating in MBI's Municipal Digital Equity Planning Program. The ability to engage in digital equity planning will be a critical step for municipal leaders and staff to build a broad understanding of how internet access, or lack thereof, affects residents of their community.

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Economic 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.

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Shared 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.

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economic-development

Projects

Adams Economic Planner

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.

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Agility and Resilience in Berkshire County: Public and Private Sector Preparedness

Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, in partnership with project partner 1Berkshire, will respond to economic injury to the region as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, through regional resiliency planning, recovery project support, economic indicator tracking, technical assistance and capacity building for businesses and municipalities, and workforce and industry support.

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ArtWeek Berkshires

BRPC assists the five designated Cultural Districts of Berkshire County in coordinating ArtWeek Berkshires, an annual festival celebrating creativity in the region.

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Berkshire Funding Focus

Berkshire Funding Focus serves Berkshire County entities seeking federal and state funds for pandemic-related recovery and rebuilding efforts, and supporting organizational and sector capacity in the long term.

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Best Foot Forward Façade Improvement Grant Program

BRPC staff will assist 1Berkshire with administration of the Best Foot Forward Façade Improvement Grant Program, focused on supporting façade improvement for businesses within downtown commercial districts of Berkshire County communities.

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Cheshire Economic Development Planning - Phase 1

BRPC will assemble a body of information that can be used as the foundation for future phased-in, asset-based economic development planning in Cheshire, MA.

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Environmental 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.

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Great Barrington Economic Planner

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.

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Lanesborough Economic Planner

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.

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Lenox Economic Planner

Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC) is providing services of a Senior Planner to improve long-term fiscal sustainability through economic development activities in the Town of Lenox, specifically through tasks pertaining to the implementation of the recently designated Lenox Cultural District.

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Outdoor Recreation Planning

BRPC, through BTI, is providing assistance to Mill Town in convening outdoor recreation forums and continue ongoing planning and research related to outdoor recreation.

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Outdoor 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.

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Partnership 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).

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Pittsfield Municipal Digital Equity Planning

Berkshire Regional Planning Commission was selected by the City of Pittsfield 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").

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Richmond Economic Planner

Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC) is providing the services of an Economic Development planner to assist the Town of Richmond to advance economic development activities in the town.

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Southern Berkshire County Municipal Digital Equity Plan

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.

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Support Municipal Digital Equity Planning Enrollment and Regional Asset Mapping

To increase enrollment in the Municipal Digital Equity Planning Program and conduct regional asset mapping activities in alignment with the Statewide Digital Equity Plan development.

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economic-development

Reports

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