Berkshire Innovation Center and MassHire Berkshire Workforce Board Joint Media Campaign

08:00AM / Thursday, October 20, 2022Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Innovation Center (BIC) and MassHire Berkshire Workforce Board have released the first video installment of a multi-platform regional marketing campaign aimed at building awareness about career paths in key growth sectors in the Commonwealth which are available in Berkshire County, including: Advanced Manufacturing, Life Sciences, CleanTech, Aerospace & Defense, Software & Engineering, and Healthcare.

According to a press release, the slogan "Innovation Lives Right Here" acknowledges that beyond the natural beauty and cultural attractions that the Berkshires are already well known for, there is a long-standing tradition of technology and innovation that underpins the regional economy. As stakeholders in workforce development, the BIC and MassHire intend to utilize the campaign as a building block towards reframing the Berkshires as a hub and destination for technology driven career opportunities that provide exciting, meaningful work, in addition to the quality of life that the region is already renowned for.

The initial campaign content will be distributed via the BIC and MassHire's digital platforms in partnership with regional companies and affiliates.

"Innovation is in our DNA here in the Berkshires," said Ben Sosne, Executive Director of the Berkshire Innovation Center. "The foundation that was laid by transformative figures such as Zenas Crane and William Stanley is carried on today by firms that are rapidly scaling in the key sectors that are the drivers behind Massachusetts' consistent ranking as the most innovative State in the nation. These firms are fueled by talent, and we are committed to making more of the unbelievable talent that we have in this County aware of the opportunities right in their backyards."

The campaign announcement and initial 60 second video will be followed by industry-specific 30 second spots featuring footage sourced from local companies, and will eventually expand into broadcast television, billboards and print media.

"MassHire connects hundreds of youth and educators to career readiness opportunities annually, however, we are always surprised about how many people are not aware of the dynamic careers that currently exist in the Berkshires," said Heather Boulger, Executive Director of MassHire Berkshire Workforce Board. "This exciting partnership with the BIC serves to drive people to these innovative career pathways."

For more information please visit www.InnovationCareers.org/Berkshires.

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Berkshire Towns Can Tap State Seasonal Communities Resources

10:54AM / Monday, December 29, 2025

BOSTON — Governor Maura Healey announced that 18 additional municipalities across Massachusetts have been designated as Seasonal Communities, opening up new tools, support and grant funding to help them manage seasonal housing pressures.

Created as part of the historic Affordable Homes Act signed into law by Governor Healey in 2024, the Seasonal Communities designation was designed to recognize Massachusetts communities that experience substantial variation in seasonal employment and to create distinctive tools to address their unique housing needs. The law also established the Seasonal Communities Advisory Council (SCAC).

The Affordable Homes Act identified several communities to automatically receive the designation, including:

All municipalities in the counties of Dukes and Nantucket;
All municipalities with over 35 percent seasonal housing units in Barnstable County; and
All municipalities with more than 40 percent seasonal housing units in Berkshire County.

To identify additional communities, the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (HLC) reviewed available data, specifically focusing on cities and towns with high levels of short-term rentals and a high share of second- or vacation homes.

In Berkshire County, Egremont, Great Barrington, Lee, Lenox, New Marlborough, Richmond, Sandisfield, Sheffield, West Stockbridge and Williamstown have been designated.

"Our seasonal communities are a vital part of Massachusetts' cultural and economic fabric, but they're also home to essential workers, families, seniors, and longtime residents who deserve a place to live year-round," said Governor Healey. "That's why we're committed to supporting these communities with innovative solutions like the Seasonal Communities designation to meet their unique needs, and I'm thrilled that we're offering this opportunity to 18 additional communities across the state. Everyone who calls these places home should be able to live, work and grow here, no matter the season."

As with the statutorily identified communities, acceptance of the designation for municipalities is voluntary and requires a local legislative vote. HLC will open an application for newly eligible communities that haven't accepted the Seasonal Communities designation to request consideration.

The Affordable Homes Act created several new tools for communities who accept the Seasonal Communities designation to be able to:

Acquire deed restrictions to create or preserve year-round housing
Develop housing with a preference for municipal workers, so that our public safety personnel, teachers, public works and town hall workers have a place to live
Establish a Year-Round Housing Trust Fund to create and preserve affordable and attainable housing for year-round residents
Create year-round housing for artists
Allow seasonal communities to develop a comprehensive housing needs assessment
Permit tiny homes to be built and used as year-round housing
Permit year-round, attainable residential development on undersized lots
Increase the property tax exemption for homes that are the owners' primary residence