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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Pittsfield ConCom Sees Revised Work Plans for Wahconah Park

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
02:26PM / Thursday, August 13, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Conservation Commission will dig into the notice of intent application for Wahconah Park's overhaul.

The commission heard an update on the historic park's reconstruction during its regular meeting on July 23.

The grandstand is expected to be down by early September, and the city has been working with SK Design Group and the Department of Environmental Protection to revise work plans, which can be complex on a site located entirely in the floodplain.

The revised plan includes supplemental materials to address the DEP's comments, clarified riverfront area compliance, a separated wetland replication area floodplain, a fully documented stormwater conveyance and treatment approach, and addresses wetland floodplain and construction sequencing impacts.

It was continued to Aug. 13 so that commissioners can review the new documents and comment.

"The revised design will replace the aging and failed drainage infrastructure," explained James Scalise of SK Design Group, on behalf of the city.

"…We have avoided and minimized impacts to regulated resource areas. We've reduced the potential for erosion control, drainage failure, and uncontrolled discharges."

The over-a-quarter-century-old structure was deemed unsafe in 2022, and planners have determined that starting from square one is the best option; a $15 million rebuild is on the table.

The project team was before the ConCom in May after receiving several comments from the DEP. Because of the difficult permitting path, they requested a continuance and have spent that time responding.

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