Berkshire County Arc Awarded $250K for its New Pittsfield Home

10:36AM / Tuesday, March 03, 2026Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire County Arc (BCArc) was awarded $250,000 from the Federal Home Loan Bank to help offset the cost of building a home in Pittsfield for four men with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.

"This new home will enrich the lives of four men who need an accessible and supportive place to live," said Maryann Hyatt, BCArc president and CEO. "The list is long for individuals waiting for a residential program like this, and BCArc is pleased it can continue to expand and provide these opportunities."

BCArc runs 44 residential programs in Western Massachusetts – from Berkshire County to the Pioneer Valley, supporting individuals with intellectual/development disabilities and brain injuries, along with numerous other programs to support the population.

In addition, the Agency employs individuals with disabilities to run a bottle and can recycling center (The Green Redeem) and a fulfillment operation (Speedy Fulfillment). The Agency has 850 staff members and supports more than 1,000 people and their families.

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Lanesborough Seeks State Support for Berkshire Mall Redevelopment

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires.com
05:58PM / Monday, October 12, 2026

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — The town plans to petition the state to take ownership of the Route 7/Route 8 Connector Road, which officials believe is a "critical component" of the Berkshire Mall’s redevelopment strategy.

On Tuesday, the Select Board approved a letter to state Sen. Paul Mark and state Rep. John Barrett III to request their support for the vacant mall's redevelopment by helping advance transfer of the Route 7/Route 8 connector and considering funding for essential infrastructure.

"We have held discussions with the Baker Hill Road District … which will take the necessary steps to formally petition the commonwealth to take over ownership of the Route 7, Route 8 connector…Your continued support in facilitating this transfer is greatly appreciated," the letter says.

Berkshire Mall owner JMJ RE Holdings has said the potential sale and redevelopment of the mall hinges on dissolving the Baker Hill Road District, a condition of the agreement that, if unmet, would render the contract null and void.

As a result, the mall will continue to deteriorate and the litigation will proceed forward, said Tim Grogan, of JMJ.

Vera Farrell, the liaison to the Baker Hill Road District, said the district board had discussed at one of its most recent meetings that the connector road could be transferred directly to the state, rather than returned to the town; Barrett and Mark were also a part of the discussion.

"The representatives recommended that as an option, that it could transfer the connector road directly to the state, as opposed to deeding it back to the town to dispense it. If we get to that point, that would be a better option to do it that way," Farrell said.

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