Creation of Berkshire Economic Development Corp. and new president announced

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Michael Daly, who co-chairs the Governor’s Berkshire Regional Competitiveness Council (BRCC) with William Hines, president and ceo of Interprint, announced the creation of the Berkshire Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) and the hiring of Tyler Fairbank as the entity’s new President at a 2:00 PM press conference today in the Central Block in Pittsfield. The Berkshire Economic Development Corporation, created through the collaboration of several key partners, will service the economic development needs of the entire region. Daly stated that the region’s need for an individual to spearhead the collaborative economic development work of Berkshire County was critical. BEDC will focus on recruiting and retaining employers and employees and act as a catalyst for all new endeavors. The creation of the BEDC is being timed with the extensive collaboration of organizations such as the BRCC, Berkshire Chamber of Commerce, Jobs for Pittsfield Task Force, the cities of Pittsfield and North Adams, the Berkshire Regional Employment Board and many others. During the press conference, C. Jeffrey Cook, co-chairman of Berkshire Council for Growth, announced the dissolution of the Council and the transfer of assets to BEDC. “It is time for Berkshire County to capitalize on its invaluable assets—great land, great people and great efforts,” commented Daly. “The region is ripe for the collaboration that was started by the Berkshire Council for Growth and was renewed by the Berkshire Regional Competitiveness Council. We are confidant that Tyler will continue to harmonize with all the partners, ultimately taking us to the next level.” “We have the makings of a Perfect Storm. The conditions and ingredients for successful economic development in the Berkshires are unique right now. So many good things have happened over the past few years-- the alignment of efforts from the business community, cities and municipalities, the State, and most importantly the right attitudes from the right players. The point is that the collective spirits and intents of these efforts are force multiplied when the collaboration that is currently happening is taken to the next level. The BEDC can be that force multiplier. What's more is that we need someone selling the Berkshires. That's the best part of this job,” stated Fairbank. “The Berkshire Economic Development Corporation will be the organization in this region, carrying out the day to day critical work of attracting qualified people and qualified organizations. We need to go beyond the boundaries of Berkshire County to find the companies that will complement those we already have here,” commented David Bissaillon, president and CEO of the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce. “The work of the BEDC will have a significant positive impact on the ability of the companies that are already operating here, to stay competitive, focused and growing.” “Our experience with the successful formula of ‘Jobs for Pittsfield’ indicated that a collaboration with all of Berkshire County and a regional approach would also well serve our jobs creation efforts,” commented Pittsfield Mayor James Ruberto. He added, “To continue to move Pittsfield and Berkshire County forward, as we have done in the last couple years, we need to now concentrate on getting our young people to return after college and we need to be sure our high school and middle school kids are aware of the opportunities that await them after obtaining their education…right here in Pittsfield and Berkshire County.” Mayor John Barrett, in a prepared statement said, “I am very optimistic that this approach to addressing the economic development efforts in Berkshire County will be most successful. It has always been our theme in North Adams that jobs know no boundaries, and I am hopeful that this philosophy will continue with the creation of the Berkshire Economic Development Corporation and its new President, Tyler Fairbank. The foundation has been built to grow a strong, diversified Berkshire County economy.” The Berkshire Economic Development Corporation will be located in the Berkshire Chamber’s suite of offices located at 75 North Street, Suite 360 in Pittsfield.
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Lanesborough Fifth-Graders Win Snowplow Name Contest

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — One of the snowplows for Highway District 1 has a new name: "The Blizzard Boss."
 
The name comes from teacher Gina Wagner's fifth-grade class at Lanesborough Elementary School. 
 
The state Department of Transportation announced the winners of the fourth annual "Name A Snowplow" contest on Monday. 
 
The department received entries from public elementary and middle school classrooms across the commonwealth to name the 12 MassDOT snowplows that will be in service during the 2025/2026 winter season. 
 
The purpose of the contest is to celebrate the snow and ice season and to recognize the hard work and dedication shown by public works employees and contractors during winter operations. 
 
"Thank you to all of the students who participated. Your creativity allows us to highlight to all, the importance of the work performed by our workforce," said  interim MassDOT Secretary Phil Eng.  
 
"Our workforce takes pride as they clear snow and ice, keeping our roads safe during adverse weather events for all that need to travel. ?To our contest winners and participants, know that you have added some fun to the serious take of operating plows. ?I'm proud of the skill and dedication from our crews and thank the public of the shared responsibility to slow down, give plows space and put safety first every time there is a winter weather event."
 
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