Berkshire Benchmarks Releases State of the County Update

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Benchmarks data team recently released a State of the County Update for 2023. 
 
This brief report builds on the Berkshire Benchmarks State of the County Report published in May 2022 and highlights notable changes in regional indicators over the past year. The berkshirebenchmarks.org website has also been updated to reflect the most current available data. 
 
The purpose of the Benchmarks initiative and report is to highlight the region's successes and challenges.
 
The 2022 Berkshire Benchmarks State of the County report provided a comprehensive overview of our region's performance across eight sectors: Economy, Education, Environment, Government, Health, Housing, Social Environment, and Transportation.  
 
In the future, the Berkshire Benchmarks team will continue to monitor these and other indicators to aid with the regional understanding of changes in these sectors and whether the work happening throughout the region is having the intended impact. 
 
Berkshire Benchmarks is a collaborative initiative managed through Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC). Our sources are publicly available data, including the U.S. Census Bureau, the American Community Survey, various Massachusetts data sets, and periodic surveys of Berkshire County residents. 
 
Berkshire Benchmarks aims to work with the community to understand priorities and help inform the region on how we are doing and if we are improving. Berkshire Benchmarks enhances the region's access to quality data and analysis. 

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Bousquet Sport Upgrades to All-Liquor License

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Bousquet Sport has upgraded its beverage license so guests can enjoy a cocktail while watching a tennis or pickleball match. 

On Monday, the Licensing Board approved a change of category and an alteration of premises for the facility at 100 Dan Fox Drive.

Attorney Jesse Cook-Dubin explained that Bousquet Sport wants to convert to an all-alcohol license under the new state law, "which we're very appreciative exists." 

"Not likely for the purpose of having a full bar, but really just ready to drink cocktails as an additional option," he explained. 

A state law passed last year allows restaurants and bars with existing wine and malt beverage licenses to convert their licenses to all-alcohol licenses. 

Throughout the 2020s, Milltown Capital has acquired and renovated Bousquet and the former Berkshire West into Bousquet Sport. In 2023, the City Council approved a tax increment financing agreement for the project that will relieve about $215,000 in real estate taxes. 

There is a small bar area between the tennis and pickleball courts where people gather after playing a match, but Dubin said it is not a night spot. Right now, they have to prohibit people from leaving the building with a drink. 

"They would like to expand into the outdoor areas," he said. 

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