Nancy Fitzpatrick has been named chairperson of the Berkshire Creative Economy Council by unanimous vote of the Council's executive committee. Fitzpatrick will take the reins starting in early January, guiding the Council (known as Berkshire Creative) as it continues to stimulate new job growth and economic opportunity within the region's creative economy.
"As we moved into the implementation phase of the work, Nancy Fitzpatrick was the obvious choice to lead the council," says Berkshire Creative co-founder Ellen Spear. "Her businesses, her personal interests and her roots in the county make her the embodiment of our message and what we hope, collectively, to achieve. Under her leadership, we look forward to continuing the important progress Berkshire Creative has already made."
As a business owner, cultural institution affiliate, philanthropist and community leader, Fitzpatrick represents the creative economy in action. She is owner of Roaring Inc., which owns and operates The Red Lion Inn, Elm Street Market and Jack's Grill and operates the Porches Inn. She is Vice Chairman of Fitzpatrick Companies Inc., parent company of Country Curtains and Housatonic Curtain Company. Fitzpatrick is also a partner in the women's apparel boutique, Evviva, and president and owner of Crispina Design Workshop.
"When I think of it, every single thing I do is pretty directly involved with this thing we're calling the Creative Economy," states Fitzpatrick. "How much more fun and inspiration could one person have?"
In addition to her creative business ventures, Fitzpatrick is affiliated with many of the county's most established cultural organizations, including the Mass MoCA Foundation, Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Berkshire Museum, Hancock Shaker Village, and Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. Fitzpatrick holds a B.A. from Smith College and an honorary degree from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. She also completed Harvard Business School's Owner-President Management Program.
Berkshire County is a leader in the creative economy movement sweeping the nation and has been recognized in the Commonwealth for its visionary leadership and strategic plan to foster economic development in creative industry.
The Berkshire Creative Economy Council's mission 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.
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LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Town meeting on Tuesday approved an almost $14 million fiscal 2027 budget, and approved bylaws for short-term rentals and signage, and for public safety vehicles.
Of the 20 warrant articles, one, Article 7, to use free cash to pay prior fiscal year bills of $941.27 was indefinitely postponed by Moderator David Rolle because the bills were for the fire association.
Some 247 of the town's more than 2,600 registered voters filled Lanesborough Elementary School, debating articles during a meeting that lasted more than three hours.
The town's 2027 spending plan is up more than 10 percent, with the main increases from higher enrollment in the regional schools and the McCann Technical School renovation project.
Voters approved the assessment of $7,586,284 for Mount Greylock Regional School. They also approved Article 11, which was the use of $16,298.48 in free cash for the McCann's roof and window replacement project so as not to impact the budget.
Ambulance Director Jen Weber is planning 24-hour coverage, which means more staff and a hike in her budget. Article 5 asked the town to appropriate $234,100 to operate the Ambulance Enterprise Fund for salaries and expenses, which passed.
Fire Chief Jeff DeChaine spoke to the audience on his articles and the need for a new truck to replace the 1996 fire truck, listed on the warrant articles for a total $813,366, which includes a $100,000 contingency cost on whether a 2026 model-year chassis can be secured before new emissions standards in 2027. If they get the 2026 chassis, that contingency likely won't be needed.
Cassidy Flynn scattered five hits in a complete-game effort in the circle as Lenox upset top-seeded Hoosac Valley, 3-2, in the quarter-finals of the Division 5 State Tournament. click for more
Brayden Durant struck out seven and walked one in a complete-game effort on the mound Saturday to pitch the Drury baseball team to a 6-0 win over Keefe Tech in the quarter-finals of the Division 5 State Tournament at Joe Wolfe Field. click for more
Jason Codey struck out 13, walked two and allowed just an infield single as the Generals earned a 7-1 win over Wahconah to claim their third straight regional title. click for more
Gracelyn Wright struck out eight, and Genevieve Lagess went 3-for-5 with four runs batted in as the Hurricanes beat Monson, 17-3, to claim their first Western Mass title in four years. click for more
For the boys, Ward Bianchi helped lead the way with a win in the shot put and a second place in the javelin as the Mounties finished 16 points ahead of runner-up Pittsfield (pending the results of the pole vault, which were unavailable at 11 p.m. Friday night). click for more
