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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LitNet Opens Pittsfield Location, Seeks Tutors

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
08:17AM / Sunday, September 06, 2026

LitNet has been serving English language learners for 35 years.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — For 35 years, the nonprofit Literacy Network has helped adult learners, particularly immigrants, build English and literacy skills, and its new Pittsfield location makes these services more accessible than ever.

Last week, Literacy Network, also referred to as LitNet, started expanding into its new space in Crawford Square, located at 37 North St.

While LitNet primarily serves Spanish-speaking adults, it also works with learners who speak Portuguese, French, Chinese, Vietnamese, Cambodian, and Eastern European languages such as Ukrainian and Russian.

The organization is maintaining its offices on Park Street in Lee. Executive Director Leigh Doherty said the added 1,500 square feet of space will allow the program to expand upon many of the things it has been doing for years.

The space will serve as a public tutoring hub in Central Berkshire, offering rooms for one-on-one tutoring, classes and workshops, and a welcoming area for learners to read and study. The larger, more visible location will also allow for expanded evening and weekend hours, making it easier for learners and tutors to connect and for community members to discover the program.

Popular workshops include an English for business class, an advanced English book club, and an idioms and slang class to learn the nuances of English, Doherty said. "We listen to our learners."

The feedback the adult learners provide based on their need has helped shape the programs classes and services, she said.

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