Election 2009: Bianchi Hosts Small Business Forum

05:08PM / Monday, August 10, 2009Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Mayoral candidate Daniel Bianchi will be hosting an open forum and listening session on small business to be held at the GE Athletic Association on Tuesday, Aug. 18, at 5:30 p.m.

The forum is designed for members of the business community and the community at large to share ideas, concepts, and concerns relating to their business and the process of doing business in the city. Bianchi, a current city councilor, is soliciting comments and discussion that may help and improve Pittsfield's economic development. The session will provide an opportunity to discuss the issues facing many of Pittsfield's small businesses.

"Small businesses are the backbone of the city of Pittsfield. Individually, they may offer a few jobs, or 40 to 50 jobs, but collectively, hundreds of families rely on the successful operation of small businesses," said Bianchi.

"It is important that the city of Pittsfield be aware and responsive to the needs of small businesses, making it easier for them to operate and grow. We should be encouraging existing small businesses and helping to facilitate their growth as well as attracting new businesses."

"Existing small businesses in the community deserve an equal opportunity for local government support. Creating an equitable, supportive atmosphere for existing business can be the foundation for new business expansion."

Light refreshments will be provided. Members of the business community are encouraged to attend. For more information, call the campaign office at 413-442-2555 or Bianchi's home at 413-443-0180.

iBerkshires.com Text Ads

rk MILES Blding Materials

Are You Ready to Update Your Home? Start With rk MILES. 4 Locations (800)670-7433

www.rkmiles.com

Now's the time...

to harvest value from your home. Click for more details about a HELOC. Insured by NCUA.

www.greylock.org

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Pittsfield Wants People to Know Where Free Public Wifi Is

By Brittany PolitoiBerkhshires Staff
04:46AM / Friday, September 18, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city wants it to be clear where people can connect to free public wifi— which expands beyond downtown.

On Tuesday, the Parks Commission approved "Free Wifi" signage at The Common, Riverway Park, and Durant Park. Community members can access the internet without charge in these locations, as well as in downtown areas.

Two years ago, Pittsfield received a $99,972 Digital Equity Implementation Grant from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative. This allowed the city to take a comprehensive look at digital equity and determine where to focus attention.

"That was a lengthy process that we worked on, and there was a lot of public input. We did some surveying. We met with a lot of focus groups; [Berkshire Regional Planning Commission] was the group that spearheaded that for us, and one of the things that came up was the lack of accessible wifi," Director of Community Development Justine Dodds reported. "Particularly in the westside."

Throughout this process, residents also wanted to see connectivity at the nearby Westside Riverway Park.

In 2023, Pittsfield was selected to participate in the Municipal Digital Equity Planning Program launched by the state and MBI, focused on ensuring residents can use the internet to conduct day-to-day activities. A digital equity plan also qualifies Pittsfield for additional grant funding.

Around 16,000 city households qualified for the Federal Communications Commission's affordable internet program that ended in 2024.

Dodds said adding Wi-FI and signage to Durant and Riverway Parks is a small piece of the larger digital equity project. Signage is already downtown, and the city plans to hire the same designer for the expanded wayfinding so it is cohesive.

View Full Story