Governor Jane Swift on Thursday announced more than $4.8 million in grants for project in the Town of Adams, part of a comprehensive economic development strategy for the North Berkshire community.
The grants will be funded through MassDevelopment, MassHighway and the Executive Office of Transportation and Construction.
"The funds we are presenting today will help to draw businesses to Adams and will make the town a more attractive place to live and work," Swift said. "I am proud of the creative public-private partnership that has been organized by MassDevelopment that includes the Executive Office of Transportation, MassHighway and the Department of Environmental Management as well as local officials and area citizens."
Funds for visitor's centerSwift announced a $2.5 million grant from MassHighway to the Town of Adams for the construction of the "Discover Your Berkshires, Adams Visitor Center," which will be designed and constructed by MassDevelopment. The visitor's center is expected to help Adams tap into the tourism and recreation industry in Northern Berkshire County and is scheduled to open in the spring of 2003.
Swift also presented a $2.3 million grant provide by the MassHighway for Phase II of the Ashuwillticook Trail, the county's first off-road bike trail. Once completed, the trail will stretch for 10.8 miles, from the Pittsfield/Lanesborough line into downtown Adams.
The project includes the rehabilitation of five railroad bridges along the former Boston-Albany rail bed. Phase I of the construction was completed in August of 2001 with the opening of the first 5.2 miles of the trail.
"These two projects will bolster both the tourism industry and the quality of life in Western Massachusetts," said acting transportation secretary James Scanlan. "This is a great example of how the state can lend a hand to local priorities that help fuel economic development."
North county tourism
The visitors' center and bicycle trail are designed to bring people into downtown Adams to access attractions and activities on Mt. Greylock including hiking, cross-country skiing and bicycle trails. A pending agreement between the department of environmental management and MassDevelopment will also provide for the development of an environmental management and MassDevelopment will also provide for the development of an environmental education center at Greylock Glen. Collectively, these projects will reinforce Adams as a destination for outdoor recreation, environmental education and sustainable community development.
"By highlighting the resources of Berkshire County with a new visit's center and a top-notch rail trail, the Swift Administration is continuing to make Berkshire County a premiere tourist destination," said MassHighway acting commissioner John Cogliano.
Susan B. Anthony birthplace restorationIn addition to these grants, Swift presented $25,000 from MassDevelopment, the state's quasi-public economic development authority, to the Susan B. Anthony Birthplace to fund a historic structures report. This will be a critical first step in the restoration of a historic property that commemorates an important turning point in the struggle for women's suffrage. Swift also discussed the importance of a $25,000 grant, also from MassDevelopment, to the Adams Technology Center. This predevelopment assistance grant, awarded in the fall of 2001, is being used to assess the feasibility and assists in the marketing of a high tech center in Adams. The center is expected to attract a variety of entrepreneurial companies and encourage private investment.
In this period of fiscal uncertainty and challenging economy, the investments made this past year in the future of Adams and the Berkshire will create many needed jobs for citizens of these economically targeted areas," said Michael P. Hogan, chief executive officer of MassDevelopment.
In June 2001, Swift pledged her commitment to ensuring that Adams received the necessary support and resources from a variety of agencies to assist in its revitalization efforts. MassDevelopment, in partnership with the town, has made significant strides in advancing the economic revitalization plan following grants launched last September. Since that time, environmental contamination has been removed, hazardous, designs have been finalized, construction has been planned and the private sector is once again investing in Adams.
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North Adams Airport Hires New Manager
By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Airport Commission unanimously voted this week to hire Skyler Friedman as the new airport manager.
The vote came after a brief interview Tuesday. Although two candidates were scheduled to be interviewed, only Friedman was in attendance.
In total, there were four resumes that a subcommittee knocked down to two finalists.
"All were qualified," Commissioner William Hooper said. "One was less qualified, two were equally qualified, and one was a step above. The two you have this evening were the two determined to be the most qualified."
The commission planned on interviewing both candidates, but only interviewed Friedman. Although the second candidate indicated she would be present remotely for the interview, she never called in.
Friedman was the manager from June until September through the city's contract with Hewison Aviation, a New York-based flight school operating in North Adams. The company provided management services to the city but decided to end this arrangement in the fall.
The commission faced losing Friedman as manager and urged him to apply when they advertised the position.
Friedman spoke about communication, noting he suspected it would be easier as an employee of the city. He also spoke about larger projects at the airport he would like to follow through on, including the creation of a flying club. He said he wants more people at the airport and interested in aviation.
He was asked if he planned to leave the position in the near future for other opportunities.
"I would not be here now if that were my goal," he answered.
He added that the area does not have a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), a position he hopes to fill. He said he hopes to "merge his interests" as the manager and a CFI, eventually relocating permanently to North Adams instead of commuting from Albany.
Otherwise, he said there will be no disruptions, as he has already done the job. Instead of learning a new position, he said he is ready to tackle projects he had to step away from when the contract ran out.
"The past five months have been that process, and I will pick up where I left off," he said. "I stumbled upon things in the interim, and there will be no transition."
In other business, the Airport Commission saw another response to the proposed restaurant RFP. Only one organization responded: East Fork Bread.
Although there was some back-and-forth between the RFP subcommittee and the bread makers, the subcommittee ultimately could not recommend their proposal as it did not fit their requirements.
The state Department of Conservation and Recreation is planning to purchase a total of 250 abutting acres in Clarksburg and the town of Florida. The purchase was on the Florida Select Board's agenda on Wednesday night.
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Local officials, schools, and community organizations unite to offer a free Halloween walkthrough featuring local lore, concessions, and family fun. click for more
The fire was called in just before 5 p.m. as "visible flames and smoke." There was dark smoke coming from a storage area on the backside of the building and firefighters were able to quickly knock it down. click for more
These women were unsung fliers, so important as pioneers in the history of aviation that they took to the skies in the teens and early 1920s before Earhart even stepped foot in her bright red Lockheed Vega 5.
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