Pittsfield Mayor Reflects on Economic Development in 2025

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city welcomed more than a dozen new businesses in 2025 and granted support for further economic development. 

During his State of the City Address on Monday, Mayor Peter Marchetti touted the professionals Pittsfield welcomed in 2025 and incentives for growing companies, including the allocation of $1.7 million in Pittsfield Economic Development Funds to four businesses.

"Attracting and remaining businesses has been the top priority in my administration, and we have been hard at work since the beginning. 2025 has been no exception," he said. 

"Fourteen new businesses opened in 2025, including a new hotel, a coffee and gathering space, a book and record store, an arcade, and a pizzeria, just to name a few." 

Downtown Pittsfield has been the center of revitalization and pedestrian efforts over the last couple of terms, and that continues with the push to fill storefronts and a possible business improvement district where businesses elect to pay an additional fee for their own services. 

The city was recently awarded a $50,000 grant from the Massachusetts Vacant Storefront Program to support occupancy through refundable tax credits, and more information will be released soon. 

In fiscal year 2026, Downtown Pittsfield Inc. was provided an additional $15,000 from the city to help make the downtown a lively, creative, and sustainable environment.  DPI’s partnership with the MassDevelopment Transformative Development Initiative has resulted in funding programs, a wayfinding and signage project, a mural project, and pedestrian access improvements. 

"Looking ahead to this year, we are continuing our exploration of a business improvement district within the downtown area that will help provide a sustainable funding source for the revitalization and long-term maintenance of the area, including marketing and capital improvement, public safety enhancements, and special events," Marchetti reported. 

Settlement monies from General Electric, also known as the GE Economic Development Funds, supported new and familiar businesses in 2025.  

The City Council approved a total of $1 million for the Berkshire Innovation Center’s expansion and an optics company moving to the facility, a project expected to "Place Pittsfield at the forefront of advanced manufacturing, creating more job opportunities, and support for entrepreneurs."

• Jain Americas: $500,000 to establish manufacturing operations in Pittsfield at 10 Conte Drive, an $8 million investment that will create 31 jobs over the next three years. 
• Elegant Stitches: $200,000 for a design and manufacturing studio in Downing Industrial Park, a $950,000 investment that will add six full-time jobs. 
• Berkshire Innovation Center: $500,000 for an Advanced Optics Tech Hub. 
• Myrias Optics: $500,000 to bring Myrias to the BIC. 

By the end of 2026, the BIC’s new expansion will create 15 to 18 jobs, and an additional 45 jobs by the end of 2028, with an average salary of $117,000. 

"The partnership between the BIC, Myrias, and [Electro Magnetic Applications] will result in a $10 million investment," Marchetti said. 

"Investing $1.7 million for a return of at least $19 million and creation of almost 100 jobs is a choice I will make time and time again. In 2026 and beyond, we will continue to use our economic incentives to build our tax base, which will in turn improve our economic outlook in our community." 

He also highlighted the tax increment financing agreements that were issued to businesses in 2025, including a 10-year TIF to Unistress Corporation for a $4 million expansion that will bring 50 additional jobs, and a TIF for the new $13 million Holiday Inn Express on South Street that will create 15 full-time jobs and hotel/motel tax revenue. 

Without these incentives, the mayor said businesses may not be able to expand operations, and that leaves the city without job opportunities, new growth, or economic prosperity. 

The Red Carpet Team hosted six companies looking to expand, relocate, or start a business in Pittsfield, he added, and the Pittsfield Economic Revitalization Corporation assisted nearly 20 businesses with technical assistance and consulting services. 

"In conclusion, we have made much progress in 2025, especially with issues surrounding economic development and housing," Marchetti said. 

"I am committed to continuing this momentum into 2026. I am confident that working together, we can move the city forward. I know this work is not easy, but with our hard work and the partnerships, we can accomplish great things together." 

Workforce Development: Kaela Martin