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.

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.

BRPC Economic and Community Development staff are supporting the state’s broadband agency, the Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI), and communities across Berkshire County to realize state, regional, and municipal-level digital equity efforts.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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").

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.

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").

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").

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.

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.

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).

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.

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...