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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Site 9 has Another Interested Buyer

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
05:37PM / Monday, August 10, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Pittsfield Economic Development Authority held its shortest meeting on Thursday.

In June, Pittsfield's Business Development Manager Michael Coakley said there was an interested buyer for a couple of acres on Site 9, a pharmaceutical research and development company.

Coakley said they have received a purchase and sale agreement but before signing, there have to be assurances that the company has the financial requirements to construct the building.

He was to have another meeting with the company to go over questions on the purchase and sale agreement, as well as environmental and legal questions. Coakley said the company is still very interested and is trying to raise funds for its project.

Coakley also brought the board up to date on the street names suggested in June 2025 of Mill Town Way, Morningside Way and Innovation Place.

He said Milltown Way and Innovation Place are in the process of being accepted, and the city will take over those streets. They are working with Milltown to make sure they are OK with the process and if it has any questions.

In other news, an electric energy company is interested in leasing Site 7 for six months. This entity hopes to use it for storage of shipping containers, staging, and parking for crews installing smart meters throughout the city. The lease would be $3,100 monthly, but the board could not vote on Thursday as it did not have a quorum.

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