Berkshire Trendsetter Awards 2014 Presented

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Peter White, center, with Megan Whilden and Mick Callahan, was named this year's Young Professional Making A Difference. See more photos here.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The region's "Trendsetters" were honored on Tuesday night their for contributions to the economic, cultural and civic health of the Berkshires.  

Sponsored by 1Berkshire, the county's economic development organization, more more than 275 people attended the fourth annual event held at the Pittsfield Municipal Airport.

The Trendsetter Awards recognize businesses, organizations, and individuals whose outstanding achievements and commitment have strengthened the economy and helped the Berkshires grow.

Berkshire Health Systems was recognized with a special award for "Putting the Berkshires on the Map" for its leadership in quality health care and the role that plays in enhancing the overall image, and health, of the Berkshires.

In addition to being the county's largest employer and investing $30 million into the region through the development of the new state-of-the-art Berkshire Medical Center Cancer Center, it demonstrated commitment to the community by stepping to assume responsibility for essential healthcare services after the close of North Adams Regional Hospital in early 2014.

David Phelps, president & CEO of BHS, accepted a one-of-a-kind, handcrafted sculpture at the culmination of the event, donated by Lauren Clark Fine Art of Great Barrington.


Peter White of Pittsfield was named Young Professional Making A Difference for his collaborative vision for Berkshire County and desire to focus on the bigger picture, while remaining involved in numerous neighborhood revitalization efforts.  

In the Creativity and Innovation category, LympheDIVAs was awarded for filling a void in the medical device industry with its development of fashionable, medically correct compression garments for women suffering from lymphedema, which can promote mental health while also providing relief from symptoms.

The Newcomer of the Year award was presented to No. Six Depot Roastery & Cafe for turning the old train station in West Stockbridge into a thriving business that also serves as a community center by hosting local artists and a variety of events ranging from film screenings, performances, dance lessons and more.

Berkshire United Way was named Nonprofit of the Year for its slate of community impact programming that has created sustained improvements in local early childhood literacy, teen substance use prevention, and teen pregnancy prevention.

Winning the Public Relations Trendsetter award was Briarcliff Motel for attracting editorial interest from traditional media and using online media and social sites to build interest, effectively generating buzz and increasing business for their newly opened motel in Great Barrington.

Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort received the Overall Marketing award for implementing a successful year-round marketing campaign that attracts visitors from all over the country by combining traditional, digital, and social tactics, and has resulted in increased visitation rates.

The Growing and Advancing the Berkshire Economy award was given to Berkshire Community College for their leadership in promoting the future of manufacturing in the Berkshires, and collaboration with local educational institutions and businesses to develop a future workforce for the industry so the companies in this field can continue to thrive.


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Pittsfield CPA Committee Funds Half of FY24 Requests

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A few projects are not getting funded by the Community Preservation Committee because of a tight budget.

The projects not making the cut were in the historic preservation and open space and recreation categories and though they were seen as interesting and valuable projects, the urgency was not prevalent enough for this cycle.

"It's a tough year," Chair Danielle Steinmann said.

The panel made its recommendations on Monday after several meetings of presentations from applications. They will advance to the City Council for final approval.  

Two cemetery projects were scored low by the committee and not funded: A $9,500 request from the city for fencing at the West Part Cemetery as outlined in a preservation plan created in 2021 and a $39,500 request from the St. Joseph Cemetery Commission for tombstone restorations.

"I feel personally that they could be pushed back a year," Elizabeth Herland said. "And I think they're both good projects but they don't have the urgency."

It was also decided that George B. Crane Memorial Center's $73,465 application for the creation of a recreational space would not be funded. Herland said the main reason she scored the project low was because it didn't appear to benefit the larger community as much as other projects do.

There was conversation about not funding The Christian Center's $34,100 request for heating system repairs but the committee ended up voting to give it $21,341 when monies were left over.

The total funding request was more than $1.6 million for FY24 and with a budget of $808,547, only about half could be funded. The panel allocated all of the available monies, breaking down into $107,206 for open space and recreation, $276,341 for historic preservation, and $425,000 for community housing.

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