Steven Sheppard outlined the state of the Berkshires economy at Wednesday's Good New Business Salute.

LENOX, Mass. — Following a shock to the economic eco-system, economist Steven Sheppard says an area needs to mitigate the negative fallout, understand the changes, and then focus on rebuilding on the strengths.

 

The Williams College professor said the Berkshires had multiple "shocks" to its economy and still hasn't fully recovered.

 

Since the 1970s, population has been dropping and, in 2010, the county's gross domestic product "hit bottom" from the global economic collapse. Since then, a number of business sectors have been coasting along that bottom.

 

"The decline of GDP has been faster than the decline in population so the GDP per capita has decreased," Sheppard said, adding that means more and more people are struggling economically.

 

Manufacturing employment dropped faster than the national average. Agricultural employment is half that expected for a population the size of the Berkshires. There are 25 percent fewer people working in management than expected.

 

"We've really experienced a lot of shocks to the economy," Sheppard said.

 

But it is not all doom and gloom, and the population drop is something other areas have experienced. With an understanding of its strongest areas, leaders can help usher in a new economy. 

 

Sheppard was the keynote speaker at Wednesday's Berkshire Chamber of Commerce Good News Business Salute at Cranwell Resort in Lenox. He outlined a number of areas of opportunity for local industry. 

 

In the Berkshires, there is 2 1/2 to three times as many people working in education than expected. That signals colleges and private schools are doing well and attracting students from outside of the county. Arts and recreation employs more than double the national average for a county this size. Health care accounts for 150 percent more in employment than anticipated. Retail, food service, and hospitality are right behind those sectors with 125 percent of the employment.

 

"Several of these sectors are where non-profits play an important role," Sheppard said.

 

Sheppard has just completed an in-depth look at the local non-profit sector. His report shows that sector of the economy produces $2.4 billion in economic activity and supports 26,000 jobs. His report also indicates that non-profits operating here are buoying the economy and that other sectors should follow in the future.

 

"If this sector was whisked away, out of the picture and not replaced, there would be 26,000 people moving out of the county looking for a job. Collectively, they generate about $2.3 billion in income and keep in mind, that is in an overall economy that is only $5.6 billion," Sheppard said.

 

He broke the industry down regionally to compare. In North County, there are 174 non-profit organizations generating $400 million to $500 million in revenue and accounting for $3.3 billion in assets. North County boasts large assets in Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, the Clark Art Institute, and Williams College. In Central County, there are 282 organizations generating $850 million to $900 million in revenue and accounting for $1.1 billion in assets. Those organizations include Berkshire Health Systems, Hillcrest and Miss Hall's School. South County has 326 organizations generating $300 million to $400 million in revenues and owning $1.1 billion in assets. That includes Fairview Hospital, Bard College of Simon's Rock, Austin Riggs, and Tanglewood.

 

"The non-profit sector collectively is supporting about 40 percent, just under 40 percent of the local economy and that is not counting the visitors they attract," Sheppard said. "We have well over 2 million visitor-days right here in Berkshire County."

 

Every 10,000 visitors generates more than $1 million in income and supports about 12 jobs.

"Our experiences are not unprecedented and is similar to other places that many people consider OK economies," Sheppard said.

 

He said the level of assets per capita is "off the charts." The closest area with as many assets per capita as the Berkshires has have half the amount. The assets allow for long-term planning and visions for those organizations, he said. 

 

With those in place, Sheppard suggested the county focus on developing industries that complement the non-profit sector. Those include more hospitality and hotels, allowing more development of homes, and improving transportation. Management and product design could provide a "high value."

 

Ty Allan Jackson was the event's master of ceremonies.

Sheppard said the overall picture shows opportunities to build off the thriving non-profit sector. 

 

The event at Cranwell was just the second time the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce has held its Good News Business Salute in the evening. The speaking portion followed a cocktail networking hour at which nearly 100 local business people conversed. 

 

Ty Allan Jackson was the master of ceremonies. The children's author shared his story of how he went from corporate sales to becoming a writer. Seven years ago, his son started a lemonade stand and made 50 bucks in three hours. Jackson went to the store to find a book his son could read to learn about entrepreneurship but couldn't find any, let alone any with characters of color. So, he wrote his own - "Danny Dollar."

 

"I learned how to publish it myself and in the first month I sold 1,000 copies," Jackson said.

 

He said only 7 percent of children's books feature children of color, showing a real lack of diversity. He emphasized the importance of children learning to read because 2/3 of the children who can't by the fourth grade end up on welfare or incarcerated. And that's what led him down his career path.

 

The chamber honored Berkshire Horse Works, the Montessori School of the Berkshires, and the Berkshire Music School as part of the salute. Jackson received a standing ovation when he concluded the night with a soliloquy about love. He reminded those in attendance that before race, sex, political affiliations and tastes, we are all human. He asked those in attendance to show love to one another.