UMass Study Shows Impact by Mill Town Capital in Berkshire County

11:42AM / Saturday, May 03, 2025Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — An analysis by the UMass Donahue Institute (UMDI) indicates that Mill Town Capital generated a total economic impact of $132 million across Berkshire County, Massachusetts, between 2017 and 2023.

The independent study examined the effects of Mill Town's investments in local businesses, real estate, and infrastructure, as well as its philanthropic activities.

According to the UMDI, the investments resulted in a 1.42x economic multiplier, meaning that every $100 generated by Mill Town Capital led to an additional $42 in local economic activity. The study also found that the number of workers connected to Mill Town Capital's activities increased from 3 in 2017 to 672 in 2023. Additionally, the analysis suggests that $5.1 million in local tax revenues were generated through investment and job creation. The report states that $107.3 million (81 percent) of the total economic impact occurred in Pittsfield.

Tim Burke, CEO of Mill Town Capital, stated that the report confirms the impact of community-based investment. The UMDI report suggests that Mill Town Capital's approach, combining private investment, public-private partnerships, and community engagement, has produced measurable returns. Rod Motamedi, Assistant Director of Economic and Public Policy Research at UMDI, noted that Mill Town Capital's business model demonstrates how mission-driven capital can contribute to economic change and that community engagement can foster momentum for Pittsfield and the region.

Mill Town Capital, founded in 2016 by Dave Mixer, describes itself as an impact investment platform focused on the revitalization of Pittsfield and Berkshire County through investments in real estate, businesses, and community initiatives.

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Dalton Board Signs Off on Land Sale Over Residents' Objections

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:50AM / Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Residents demanded the right to speak but the agenda did not include public comment. Amy Musante holds a sign saying the town now as '$20,000 less for a police station.'

DALTON, Mass. — The Select Board signed the sale on the last of what had been known as the Bardin property Monday even as a handful of residents demanded the right to speak against the action.

The quitclaim deed transfers the nine acres to Thomas and Esther Balardini, who purchased the two other parcels in Dalton. They were the third-highest bidders at $31,500. Despite this, the board awarded them the land in an effort to keep the property intact.

"It's going to be an ongoing battle but one I think that has to be fought [because of] the disregard for the taxpayers," said Dicken Crane, the high bidder at $51,510.

"If it was personal I would let it go, but this affects everyone and backing down is not in my nature."

Crane had appealed to the board to accept his bid during two previous meetings. He and others opposed to accepting the lower bid say it cost the town $20,000. After the meeting, Crane said he will be filing a lawsuit and has a citizen's petition for the next town meeting with over 100 signatures.

Three members of the board — Chair Robert Bishop Jr., John Boyle, and Marc Strout — attended the 10-minute meeting. Members Anthony Pagliarulo and Daniel Esko previously expressed their disapproval of the sale to the Balardinis.

Pagliarulo voted against the sale but did sign the purchase-and-sale agreement earlier this month. His reasoning was the explanation by the town attorney during an executive session that, unlike procurement, where the board is required to accept the lowest bid for services, it does have some discretion when it comes to accepting bids in this instance.

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