BRPC Seeks Input On Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy

11:00AM / Wednesday, October 19, 2022Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC) is seeking public comment on a draft Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for Berkshire County, which will be in effect from 2023 through 2027.

The CEDS is a coordinated regional planning process that documents current economic conditions, identifies priority economic development projects, and sets goals and strategies for the upcoming 5-year period. Two previous CEDS have been published for Berkshire County, in 2011 and 2017. The 2023 edition will include an expanded Resiliency Planning chapter, as well as an overview of COVID-19 impacts on unemployment rates and labor force statistics.

The Berkshire County CEDS is developed by BRPC staff in partnership with a regional CEDS committee, made up of representatives from local government, priority industries, non-profits, and regional agencies involved with economic development. After the public comment period completes on November 12th, 2022, and the CEDS document is endorsed by the BRPC Commission, it will be submitted to the US Economic Development Administration for approval. Implementation occurs over the course of the next five years, with annual progress reports filed each year.

The draft document can be found on BRPC’s website at berkshireplanning.org/initiatives/berkshire-comprehensive-economic-development-strategy-ceds/ or at bit.ly/BerkshireCEDS, along with more information about the initiative and copies of former CEDS documents and annual reports.

The PDF document includes links to online forms for members of the public to suggest additions to the Action Plan and Resiliency Recommendations included in the draft. General comments can be emailed to BRPC Economic Development Program Manager, Laura Brennan, at lbrennan@berkshireplanning.org, with the subject line "CEDS draft."

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CATA's 'I Am a Part of Art' Exhibit Celebrates Creativity and Inclusion

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
07:08AM / Sunday, August 09, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Inclusion is at the heart of Community Access to the Arts, and this year's annual art show showcases that commitment through a diverse mixed-media exhibition featuring interactive elements that make the experience engaging and accessible for visitors of all abilities.

The annual "I Am a Part of Art" exhibit is the organization's biggest exhibit of the year, this year featuring over 300 works of art by 250 artists with disabilities, spanning the Lichtenstein Center and Clark Art Institute, said Chris Watford, CATA communications director.

"This gallery right now is CATA's mission in action, and I hope that you see each piece as a window into each artist's perspective and an invitation to step into our CATA world," Executive Director Margaret Keller said.

On Thursday, the nonprofit kicked off the exhibition with an opening celebration at the center, where joy and pride were evident as community members smiled, admired the artwork and celebrated the artists behind it.

"How amazing it is to stand in the middle of this room and witness the radiance and the beauty of these perspectives, and to take in all of this individuality and talent. Every artist needs an audience, and all of you here today are so important to our ongoing work," Keller said.

Last year, CATA started using the Bloomberg Connects app, which not only showcases the artworks but also provides viewers with behind-the-scenes insights, allowing them to learn more about the exhibit and hear from the artists through video and audio recordings.

"We learned a ton last year and had incredible feedback from the community about how impactful that app was," Watford said.

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