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 Council OKs Funds for Plow Truck; Refers Council Pay Recommendation

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
10:16AM / Saturday, October 31, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Winter is right around the corner, and Pittsfield plans to purchase a vehicle to increase its snow-plowing capacity.

On Tuesday, the City Council approved the transfer of $200,000 from the Public Works Stabilization Fund for equipment. The Department of Public Services will purchase a one-ton truck equipped with an all-season body, snowplow, wing, and spreader.

Commissioner of Public Services and Utilities Ricardo Morales said it is something the department would like to have for supervision and expanding its work.

"We need this piece of equipment to have a supervisor be able to go on the mains with a wing plow and assist on that as needed, and be able to pick up that wing and go to a neighborhood street and be able to assist with snow plowing in a neighborhood street," he explained.

"And at the same time be able to jump throughout the city because he's supervising as well, making sure that there's volume."

A comparable truck is included in Pittsfield's capital plan.

These vehicles normally need to be ordered 10 to 12 months ahead of delivery, but Morales said Pittsfield identified one that can be expedited; he did not say how quickly.

"Approving funding now gives us the best chance of having the truck built and in service for the coming snow season," he wrote in a communication to the council.

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