Berkshire Innovation Center Plans Expansion, New Manufacturing Tenant

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A total of $1 million in Pittsfield Economic Development Funds has been requested to build a tech hub at the Berkshire Innovation Center and help to move a company there. 

The BIC is seeking $500,000 to expand and Myrias Optics Inc. is seeking $500,000 to establish a manufacturing laboratory at the BIC. Last week, the City Council referred both requests to the Community and Economic Development subcommittee, which will meet on Nov. 10. 

The BIC plans to build a specialized nanoimprint lithography (NIL) lab to support the Massachusetts-based photonics company that is currently reliant on a space in Austria. The lab would be within a 7,000-square-foot "Advanced Manufacturing for Advanced Optics Tech Hub" expansion. 

"The proposed expansion of the BIC facility is essential to alleviating current space limitations and ensuring the continued growth of programming that serves the local community. With more space, BIC will be able to accommodate larger student groups through dedicated classrooms that reduce congestion and improve accessibility," the project narrative reads. 

"The expansion will also create more flexible environments for Pittsfield companies seeking training, collaboration opportunities, and research support. Importantly, this growth will preserve vital educational and meeting areas that would otherwise be repurposed into laboratory space, ensuring that Pittsfield residents continue to benefit from shared access to public innovation and learning spaces." 

The BIC opened in the William Stanley Business Park in 2020 and is 23,500 square feet. In addition to the $500,000 in economic development funds requested, the BIC is seeking $7 million from the state. 

Funds would be secured through a deferred-payment, forgivable 10-year promissory note and appropriate security. The applicant estimates that the hub could contribute between $113 million and $142 million to the state's gross product, and between $55 million and $69 million in labor income. 

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.