North Adams Regional Hospital Receives MassEcon Impact Award

03:17PM / Thursday, April 03, 2025Print Story | Email Story

NORTH ADAMS, Mass — MassEcon, the state's private sector partner in promoting business growth in Massachusetts, has honored North Adams Regional Hospital (NARH) in the 21st Annual Team Massachusetts Economic Impact Awards, with a Gold recognition.

NARH was among three organizations honored in Western Massachusetts, achieving Gold, while a Silver honor went to Electro Magnetic Applications and Bronze to the Berkshire Innovation Center, both in Pittsfield.

"Berkshire Health Systems, and the entire staff of North Adams Regional Hospital, are honored to be recognized for this achievement," said Laurie Lamarre, BHS Vice President and NARH Chief Operating Officer. "The reopening of North Adams Regional Hospital fulfilled a vision of restoring acute care services to the North Berkshire region, and my colleagues at NARH are committed to improving the health and well-being of all of the people we serve."

The winners will be recognized during a ceremony at UMass Boston in April, and the organizations that were honored were selected after site visits, interviews with regional teams of judges, and 90-second 'pitches' during a finalist's reception. Altogether, the expansion projects included in the awards represent a financial investment of $280 million, and 822 jobs added to the state's economy.

"These are remarkable awardees, making contributions to the economic health of Massachusetts in every region," said Peter Abair, MassEcon's Executive Director. "This is a celebration of Massachusetts as a place to live and work."

"Massachusetts continues to be a national leader in innovation and economic growth and these awardees embody that spirit," said Yvonne Hao, State Secretary of Economic Development. "These organizations are not only driving job creation, expanded facilities, and investment across our diverse regions, but they are also making significant contributions to the vibrancy of our Commonwealth."

Tags: BHS, BMC,

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Pittsfield Housing Project Adds 37 Supportive Units and Collective Hope

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:01PM / Monday, December 29, 2025

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— A new chapter in local efforts to combat housing insecurity officially began as community leaders and residents gathered at The First on to celebrate a major expansion of supportive housing in the city.

The ribbon was cut on Thursday Dec. 19, on nearly 40 supportive permanent housing units; nine at The First, located within the Zion Lutheran Church, and 28 on West Housatonic Street. The Housing Resource Center, funded by Pittsfield's American Rescue Plan Act dollars, hosted a celebration for a project that is named for its rarity: The First.

"What got us here today is the power of community working in partnership and with a shared purpose," Hearthway CEO Eileen Peltier said.

In addition to the 28 studio units at 111 West Housatonic Street and nine units in the rear of the church building, the Housing Resource Center will be open seven days a week with two lounges, a classroom, a laundry room, a bathroom, and lockers.

Erin Forbush, ServiceNet's director of shelter and housing, challenged attendees to transform the space in the basement of Zion Lutheran Church into a community center. It is planned to operate from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. year-round.

"I get calls from folks that want to help out, and our shelters just aren't the right spaces to be able to do that. The First will be that space that we can all come together and work for the betterment of our community," Forbush said.

"…I am a true believer that things evolve, and things here will evolve with the people that are utilizing it."

Earlier that day, Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus joined Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll and her team in Housatonic to announce $33.5 million in federal Community Development Block Grant funding, $5.45 million to Berkshire County.

He said it was ambitious to take on these two projects at once, but it will move the needle. The EOHLC contributed more than $7.8 million in subsidies and $3.4 million in low-income housing tax credit equity for the West Housatonic Street build, and $1.6 million in ARPA funds for the First Street apartments.

"We're trying to get people out of shelter and off the streets, but we know there are a lot of people who are couch surfing, who are living in their cars, who are one paycheck away from being homeless themselves," Augustus said.

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