PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Berkshire Community College (OLLI at BCC) will host a virtual Berkshire Theatre Critics Panel on Monday, Oct. 19 at 11:30 a.m.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
Your Comments
iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.
No Comments
Neal Tours Berkshire Innovation Center as Pittsfield's Tech Economy Grows
By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass. —Congressman Richard Neal visited the Berkshire Innovation Center Thursday to highlight $735,000 in federal funding secured for a new cybersecurity training and testing facility.
"The number one job of the federal government is to provide for the security of its people. I mean, we should never lose sight of that, whether it's China or Russia, every single day there are these belligerents that are attempting to infiltrate national security here in the United States, and we should not be naive about it," Neal said. "I mean, we can have an argument about proportionality; we can do a lot of different things, but not to miss the point of what they're trying to do every day."
The new cybersecurity facility will provide regional manufacturers and businesses with research and design equipment, specialized lab space, and training facilities and is planned to be housed in a to-be-redeveloped space across the street from the Berkshire Innovation Center (BIC), located at 45 Woodlawn Ave.
The derelict property, formerly owned by General Electric, is now known as the William Stanley Business Park.
The project is a $7.2 million dollar investment from the state, $5.2 million from the tech collaborative, $2 million from bond funding secured by Neal, and $1 million that will be split into two phases: $500,000 for BIC to begin building and $500,000 for Myrias Optics to start production in Pittsfield, said Mayor Peter Marchetti.
BIC Executive Director Ben Sosne said manufacturers often highlight the need for help with cybersecurity, particularly in meeting the security requirements necessary to conduct business with General Dynamics and other major contractors.
Collaborators in the field and the public sector have recognized the need that has only grown since technology has advanced and is a great career opportunity, Sosne said.
The visit coincides with the center’s ongoing efforts to create a cybersecurity training and testing facility, supported by $735,000 in federal funding secured by Neal. click for more
Berkshire County has unique needs and approaches to address mental health in the community–something mental health professionals and local officials highlighted to Health Secretary Kiame Mahaniah during his visit to Pittsfield. click for more
The play is simple: A simple cast (two actors), a simple set (two chairs, a glass-topped table, an overhead light, a door leading nowhere). There are no theatrics. click for more
