Downing Secures $6.5 Million Authorization For PEDA

08:42AM / Friday, March 21, 2008Print Story | Email Story

BOSTON — State Sen. Benjamin B. Downing, D-Pittsfield, secured the adoption of an amendment for $6.5 million for a life science incubator building at the William Stanley Business Park.

He filed the amendment authorizing the funds for the design, construction and development of the building that was adopted during the Senate considered Gov. Deval Patrick's Life Sciences bond bill.

"Making industry-ready commercial space available to prospective businesses is vital to rejuvenating the economy of Pittsfield and the surrounding region," said Downing. "It is important that Western Massachusetts carve its own niche in the commonwealth's emerging life science industry. This targeted investment will pay dividends for years to come."

Using payments promised by General Electric in 1999, the Pittsfield Economic Development Authority is spearheading the redevelopment efforts of former GE land, now recognized as a brownfield and known locally as the William Stanley Business Park.

Downing's amendment authorizes $6.5 million for design and construction of a 30,000-square-foot facility. The incubator building is intended to attract businesses and provide a temporary growth space, or small-business incubator, which would also house on-site employee training. This project is the next step toward filling the redeveloped space with new high-tech businesses.

This $6.5 million authorization for PEDA was also included in the House of Representative's version of the life sciences bond bill, though in a different account. As the Senate and House have engrossed competing versions of the bond bill, the differences between must be reconciled by a conference committee before it can be forwarded to the governor for final approval.
Tags: life sciences, PEDA,

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Dalton Officials Talk Meters Amidst Rate Increases

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:44AM / Tuesday, February 03, 2026

DALTON, Mass. — The anticipated rise in the water and sewer rates has sparked discussion on whether implementing meters could help mitigate the costs for residents

The single-family water rate has been $160 since 2011, however, because of the need to improve the town's water main infrastructure, prices are anticipated to increase.

"The infrastructure in town is aged … we have a bunch of old mains in town that need to be changed out," said Water Superintendent Robert Benlien during a joint meeting with the Select Board.

The district had contracted Tighe and Bond to conduct an asset management study in 2022, where it was recommended that the district increase its water rates by 5 percent a year over five years, he said.

This should raise enough funds to take on the needed infrastructure projects, Benlien said, cautioning that the projections are a few years old so the cost estimates have increased since then.

"The AC mains, which were put in the '60s and '70s, have just about reached the end of their life expectancy. We've had a lot of problems down in Greenridge Park," which had an anticipated $4 million price tag, he said.

The main on Main Street, that goes from the Pittsfield/town line to North Street, and up through woods to the tank, was priced at $7.6 million in 2022, he said.

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