Representative Daniel E. Bosley (D-North Adams) announced today that he has filed a bill that would create the “Commonwealth Creative Economy Council†within the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development. The “creative economy†includes areas such as arts, culture, and tourism, but also high technology industries such as software development and web design, publishing, architecture, advertising, and a broad range of related and interconnected industries that have their origin in individual creativity.
“This legislation reflects the legislature’s commitment to supporting and encouraging the growth of the creative economy, which is an integral part of the Commonwealth’s economic future†said Bosley. “The Creative Economy Council will help the state recognize and measure this industry’s contribution, and will develop a strategic plan that both attracts and retains the individuals and companies engaged in this sector.â€
"The Commonwealth Creative Economy Council underscores the importance of investment and the growth potential of the creative cluster," said Laurie Norton Moffatt, co-chair of the Berkshire Creative Economy Project and director/CEO of the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, MA. "Art means business in the Berkshires was the key finding of the Berkshire Creative Economy Project. Creativity is a core competency and competitive advantage of a vibrant Berkshire economy that is recognized internationally for its creative brand."
The key points of the bill are as follows:
* The Council’s mission is to develop a statewide strategy for the enhancement, encouragement, and growth of the creative economy in the Commonwealth, and to promote through public and private means responsive public policies and innovative private sector practices;
* The Council will reflect the depth and breadth of experience and intelligence that we have in the Commonwealth, including stakeholders from all the diverse sectors of the creative and innovative economy and key members of state government;
The Council will also:
Research and evaluate studies done in other states to locate and identify best practices that easily transfer to the Commonwealth;
Build upon the recommendations of the “Innovation Agenda: Growing the Creative Economy in Massachusetts†statewide conference of May 3, 2006, and the Berkshire Creative Economy Report, in order to develop a state wide strategy for enhancement of the creative economy;
Provide recommendations on restructuring economic programs within state government to enhance our creative economy efforts; and
Provide strategies and proposed legislation where necessary to provide linkage between programs to enhance the creative economy.
Patricia Zaido, Executive Director of The Salem Partnership commented that "Christine Sullivan, Executive Director of the Enterprise Center at Salem State College and I greatly appreciate Representative Bosley taking the lead on this most important economic initiative. Last year, we coordinated the first state-side conference on the Creative Economy and published a final report and an action plan for the Commonwealth. Representative Bosley has taken this innovative agenda to the next level which will allow a coordinated effort across the state and make Massachusetts a model for the rest of the country.
This bill was filed today with the House Clerk’s office.
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Pittsfield Parks OKs Annual Events, Hears Wahconah Park Idea
By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Parks Commission signed off on some annual city events on Tuesday.
Commissioners approved the 80th annual Eggstravaganza Egg Scramble, the Westside Legends' 6th annual Easter egg hunt, and another lineup of Eagles Band concerts in the park. The Eagles Community Band is in its 90th year.
Pittsfield's 80th egg hunt will be held at The Common on Saturday, April 4 (rain date April 11) from 10 to noon. The free event is open to children ages 2-11 and will feature a balloon artist, a face painter, the Easter bunny, and, of course, plastic eggs filled with small prizes.
The Westside Easter Egg Hunt, organized by the Westside Legends, is on the same day, April 4, from 1 to 3 p.m at Durant Park. It was scheduled to not conflict with the city's event, and will include tabling from community organizations, and some raffles.
City officials are also planning an opportunity to appreciate the Wahconah Park grandstand's century of history in Pittsfield. Demolition is currently out to bid, and prices are expected the first week of March.
"We want to have some conversation around opening up the grandstand one last time for the community to come in and look around and share memories," Parks, Open Space, and Natural Resources Manager James McGrath reported.
"I think it would we'd be remiss if we just brought in the wrecking ball and people were like, 'Wait a minute, I didn't have a chance to have one last look out from my favorite spot in the grandstand,' So we're going to figure out how to do that, how to get that done safely, and just how to celebrate this with some folks."
He has been in touch with Larry Moore of Berkshire Baseball to share facts about the park, "and just remind people how much of a storied past Wahconah Park has had, and just keep hope alive for the next iteration of Wahconah Park, whatever that looks like."
Nolan Booth scored the go-ahead goal with 6 minutes, 22 seconds left in the third, and Ben Harris made 20 saves to give McCann Tech the crown. click for more
The Hoosac Valley Hurricanes boys basketball team used a fast start to claim the Western Massachusetts Class D title with a 62-47 win over the Mount Everett Eagles. click for more
Shane Faucher scored 18 points. Sammy Bullett added 14, and Connor Hinkell and Brayden Durant added 13 and 11, respectively, as Drury won its 11th straight game, improved to 19-2 and captured its first Western Mass title since 2023. click for more
The Holyoke wrestling team Saturday took the final two championship bouts to pull away for the title by a 12-point margin over Mount Greylock at the Western Massachusetts Division 3 Championships. click for more
