North Adams Receives $200K Gift For Airport

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The city will receive a $200,000 gift to fund its share of the construction of a new administration building on the airport.

Mayor Richard Alcombright told the Airport Commission on Tuesday that real estate developer and Turboprop East director Harry S. Patten Jr. has agreed to fund the city's 5 percent share of the nearly $4 million project.

"There are a lot exciting times in the city lately, and we have had a lot of good announcements and none probably as good as this one," Alcombright said. "This is a really good thing."

The federal grant is contingent on the city being able to fund a certain percentage of the entire project. Alcombright said the commission and city have discussed the new building for the past few years, but he has been reluctant to promise funding.

"Through those few years and those discussions it has been very difficult for me to be able to commit to that kind of money to the project," the mayor said. "As much as we wanted to, it was just a difficult decision."

Alcombright said this decision became easier a few months ago after speaking with Airport Manager Bill Greenwald who was in contact with Patten. After Patten showed interest in donating the $200,000, an agreement was written.

The only condition Patten had was that he could have naming rights to the building. The name ultimately will be approved by the commission, but according to the agreement the approval will not be "unreasonably" upheld.  

Turboprop East, established in 1968, is a major Northeast maintenance facility for several lines of aircraft. The Patten Family Companies purchased the Turboprop in 1995.

Alcombright noted that over the past 15 years, nearly $30 million has been spent on airport improvements.

"This administrative building will give us the ability to now look at the proper ways to manage it more efficiently … and grow in the future," the Mayor said. "I think it’s a great thing, a great a footprint, and there will be more to come."

Commissioner Trevor Gilman noted that most of the money used for the infrastructure improvements came through federal grants funded by airline ticket fees. The city's share for individual projects was usually 2.5 percent to 5 percent. This money from the city in most cases was borrowed and paid back through airport fees.

The commission voted to accept the gift, to authorize the chairman to execute the agreement with Patten, and to accept the grant award from the state Department of Transportation for the administrative building.

North Adams Council Recognizes Special Olympian, OKs Account Transfers

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
11:20AM / Wednesday, July 29, 2026

Jenna Thomas has participated in the Special Olympics for more than 20 years, earning numerous medals. 

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Special Olympian Jenna Thomas was recognized at City Council on Tuesday for her medal-winning performance at the 2026 games last month in Minnesota.

 

"I think it's so appropriate as I'm about to proclaim Disabilities Pride Month that we recognize and honor Jenna," said Mayor Jennifer Macksey, who had Thomas join her at the podium."

 

Thomas was one of nearly 3,000 athletes who participated in the 2026 Special Olympics, which brought nearly 3,000 athletes from across the country to celebrate the talents, determinations, and achievements of individuals with intellectual disabilities. She won bronze as a member of the Berkshire County Arc Titans bowling team, a fourth in doubles with teammate Katherine Meunier and placed in the top 10 for singles nationally.

 

She's been participating in Special Olympics since her teenage years, competing in cross country skiing, track and field since 2009. Thomas switched to bowling in 2019 and has won gold; she was recognized by the mayor in 2023 for her athletic accomplishments representing Massachusetts and North Adams. 

 

"Look at how beautiful that is — a bronze medal in bowling and placed fourth in the doubles competition, demonstrating her dedication, perseverance, and sportsmanship on the national stage," said the mayor. "She also got to meet the governor's partner, Joanna [Lydgate], who we went out with for ice cream. ...

 

"In returning home, she credited her participation to the friendships she's made and the joy of competing ... her accomplishments are a source of pride for the city of North Adams and should serve as an inspiration for the entire community."

 

The mayor also presented $730,741.06 in end-of-year transfers. These transfers are made from accounts with excess funds to accounts that have gone over. Every line with the exception of snow and ice must be balanced for the end of the year.