Council, Grant Support Creative Economy

By Jen ThomasPrint Story | Email Story
Rep. Daniel Bosley discusses the impact of the creative economy on the Berkshires at a Thursday press conference.
Stockbridge - As part of the continuing cultural renaissance of the county, members of the Berkshire legislature, the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) and business and community leaders announced Thursday two components to help move the creative economy forward. Held at the Norman Rockwell Museum, the simultaneous announcement of a $100,000 MCC grant and the official formation of the Berkshire Creative Economy Council signals a commitment in the region to expanding and investing in the “creative cluster” - which includes nonprofit institutions, individual artists and commercial businesses that produce and distribute creative products and services. Officials feel this investment in the Berkshires’ creative efforts will stimulate job creation and economic growth. “The key to our economy is innovation and creativity,” said Rep. Daniel Bosley (D-North Adams), the House Chairman of the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies. “We have a creative economy here and it enriches our lives, makes our lives better because we live out here.And, it’s a great place to be.” The announcements come following a March unveiling of the Berkshire Creative Economy Report, which outlined a strategy for developing and maintaining the Berkshires’ growing creative economy. The co-chairwomen of the Berkshire Creative Economy Project - Ellen Spear, president and CEO of Hancock Shaker Village and Laurie Norton Moffatt, director and CEO of the Norman Rockwell Museum - have created the Council from the project’s steering committee of entrepreneurs, artists and educators from the both profit and nonprofit sectors. The mission of the Berkshire Creative Economy Council (or Berkshire Creative) is to “spark innovative collaborations between artists, designers, cultural institutions and businesses with the goal of stimulating new job growth and economic opportunity in the region.” “The creative economy is about financing and capitalizing on Berkshire County’s unique strengths,” said Norton Moffatt. She said those strengths included the “sheer size and scope of the creative cluster,” the balance of rural beauty with proximity to cities and links to other key industries, like tourism, technology, education. The $100,000 MCC Adams Art Program grant will be used to support the Berkshire Creative’s efforts to stimulate economic development through the advancement of the creative cluster. “You’ve worked relentlessly, creating a vision for this region and I’m hoping this investment will help fuel that vision, make a reality, bring your vision to life,” said Anita Walker, the executive director for the MCC to the residents of Berkshire County. “You are a model for the state and your work is incredibly important for Massachusetts and this region.” Rep. Christopher Speranzo (D-Pittsfield), Rep. William “Smitty” Pignatelli (D-Lenox) and Sen. Benjamin B. Downing (D-Pittsfield) attended the press conference. “Art means business in the Berkshires. This 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,” said Norton Moffatt. Jen Thomas may be reached via email at jthomas@iberkshires.com or at (413) 663-3384, ext. 23
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Police Seeking Suspect in Fatal Hit-and-Run

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Police are searching for a suspect in a fatal hit-and-run on Tuesday. 
 
The victim, whose identity has not been released, was found nearly four miles away from where he was reportedly struck. 
 
The initial report was that someone was in the road, possibly struck by a motor vehicle, at the intersection of Linden Street and Francis Avenue at about 11:33 p.m.
 
According to the report filed by Sgt. David Hallas, officers were unable to locate either a victim or a vehicle at the intersection. They spoke with witnesses and canvassed the area. 
 
They were found him in the road in the 1350 block of West Housatonic Street near the Best Western hotel. 
 
The victim was deceased. 
 
The investigation is pointing to the victim being struck the Linden Street intersection and then trapped under the vehicle and dragged "to a final resting place" on West Housatonic. 
 
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