State Grants $9.7M For PEDA Life Sciences Center

PEDA and city officials are hoping the innovation center will spark a new industry on the former GE property.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The state has allocated $9.7 million to build a life sciences center at the William Stanley Business Park.

The grant will allow the construction of a 20,000-square-foot center for companies in the early stages of production and commercialization to share space. The grant was announced Tuesday by Gov. Deval Patrick and the state Life Science Center for the land overseen by the Pittsfield Economic Development Authority.

"I am thrilled, because we have been diligently, deliberately and systematically pursuing this fabulous award for more than two years — with support and direction from the PEDA Board, City Hall and MLSC staff," said Corydon Thurston, PEDA executive director, in a prepared statement. "This is a new and unique economic engine for Pittsfield and the Berkshires, one that provides an exciting opportunity to create jobs by enabling existing businesses and mentoring new startup companies."

The award includes $2 million for equipment including "state of the art" tools for measurements, microscopy and 3D printing. The construction and design is expected to cost $7.25 million.
 
The facility will assist start-up businesses and the operating budget will be funded through membership, usage fees and rental income from labs, clean rooms and offices. PEDA says it has commitments from 19 private-sector companies and five institutions to use the space.

PEDA was granted $55,000 last year to begin feasibility studies for the project; $6.5 million had been earmarked for the project once the studies were completed.

The state Life Sciences Center was created in 2008 by an act of the Legislature with the mission to implement a 10-year, $1 billion initiative to create jobs and support research.
 
PEDA is tasked with marketing the 52-acre William Stanley Business Park, General Electric Co.'s former industrial facility.

Pittsfield Remembers Lives Lost to Overdose, Underscores Harm Reduction

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:33AM / Tuesday, September 01, 2026

Mayor Peter Marchetti reads a proclamation at City Hall encouraging residents to raise awareness and lift each other up. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Dozens of people gathered downtown on Monday to remember those lost to overdose and work toward a future of zero deaths from substance use disorder. 

The Berkshire Overdose and Addiction Prevention Collaborative and its partners held a proclamation reading and flag-raising at City Hall, followed by a standout in Park Square with signs promoting the use of naloxone, harm reduction, and reducing associated stigma. 

There were 23 fatal overdoses in Berkshire County in 2025, 11 in Pittsfield. This is down 44 percent from the 41 countywide fatalities in 2024. 

While it is a significant decrease, advocates want to see that number at zero. 

"On the one hand, we're very pleased to see this significant of a decrease. This is actually the lowest number that we've had since [Department of Public Health] started collecting these numbers in 2013, but the goal is still zero," said Andy Ottoson, public health planner with the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission. 

August is International Overdose Awareness Month, the world's largest annual campaign to end overdose, remember those lost without stigma, and acknowledge the grief of families and friends left behind. September is National Recovery Month, a national observance to educate the public on the importance of substance use treatment and mental health services.

Samantha Kendall of Berkshire Harm Reduction explained that it is truly meeting people where they are, as they are, and when they are, "and I think we all do a really great job at that."

"We also want to remember that we're building a community for everybody, and systems and policies for everybody. That's really important in harm reduction work, so that's also the reason we're here today," she said.