MassHire Appoints Alcombright as 'Business Market Maker'

05:41PM / Wednesday, January 26, 2022Print Story | Email Story

Richard Alcombright

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — MassHire Berkshire has tapped a former mayor, Richard Alcombright, as its "business market maker."

The market maker position was created through the Baker-Polito administration's Partnership for Recovery Plan announced in October 2020.

The plan was made to support the recovery in several ways. One of them was to fund market maker positions that would support employer engagement activities aligning with Career Technical Initiative grants and other workforce skills needs and opportunities.

"In his role, Dick will travel the county to begin and, in some cases continue, conversations around such things as the overall health of the business, employment levels, hiring, recruitment and retention, training needs and the economic landscape as it pertains specifically to that business," said Heather Boulger, MassHire's executive director. "His background and knowledge of the region's business community position him well to engage at this level."

Alcombright, recently retired after 40 years with MountainOne Bank, has had experience working with and providing solutions for business customers. Additionally, as mayor of the city of North Adams for eight years, he fostered growth and development working with businesses on permitting, tax incentive programs and navigation of government processes.

He is currently president of Berkshire Community Action Council, a trustee of Berkshire Health Systems, and a member of the North Adams School Committee, and serves several groups locally and statewide that provide solutions for folks and families suffering from substance use disorder.

"This is an exciting opportunity for me and a critical time for our Berkshire business community," Alcombright said. "While I will have specific questions that will round out my fact-finding, my role is to really listen, leave with an understanding of their needs, and then work with the good folks at MassHire to help them and their partners provide workforce solutions."

MassHire Berkshire, a branch of the state's workforce development system, meets the employment needs of businesses and workers by supporting partnerships with industry, education and workforce organizations.

Tags: people in the news,

iBerkshires.com Text Ads

Save & Earn with Greylock

3.30% APY 6-month certificate. Click to learn more! Insured by NCUA.

www.greylock.org

rk MILES Blding Materials

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

www.rkmiles.com

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

State Wins $130M to Advance West-East Rail

03:03PM / Saturday, October 17, 2026

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Some $130 million in federal monies is being invested into passenger rail along the so-called Knowledge Corridor and for laying the groundwork to establish West-East Rail from Albany, N.Y., to Boston.

The funding for the Springfield Hub Modernization Project was announced on Friday by Gov. Maura Healey, U.S. Sen. Ed Markey and U.S. Reps. Richard Neal and James McGovern.

The project is part of the state's Compass Rail vision, centered on Springfield Union Station and building on existing Amtrak Vermonter, Hartford Line and Valley Flyer service.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation was awarded the funding through the Federal Railroad Administration's Fiscal Years 2025-2026 Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements grant program to support modernization of the rail infrastructure around Springfield Union Station.

"This is a major win for Western Massachusetts and a big step forward for West-East Rail," said Healey in a statement. "This $130 million investment in Springfield will help us improve transportation, reduce congestion and connect more communities to jobs, housing and economic opportunity. I'm grateful to Senators Markey and Warren, Congressmen Neal and McGovern, and all of our partners for helping us secure this critical funding and move us closer to expanded passenger rail service across Massachusetts."

The project will upgrade tracks, signals and other infrastructure to address a major rail bottleneck, reduce conflicts between freight and passenger trains, and allow more efficient operations and expanded rail service. This work is expected to improve on-time performance, reduce delays and provide more schedule flexibility for Amtrak Vermonter and Valley Flyer passengers. The project will also create capacity for future passenger rail service while reducing unnecessary train idling, emissions and operating costs.

"Building West-East rail is a once-in a-lifetime investment to connect Massachusetts' communities and our regional economies like never before. It will mean lower costs, less congestion, and access to opportunity for families across the state," said Markey. "I'm proud to have secured this $130 million in federal funding alongside Governor Healey, Senator Warren, Congressman Neal and Congressman McGovern, bringing our total federal investment to more than $280 million to date, which will build the track to this more affordable, cleaner, better connected future."

View Full Story