Tagged: berkshires

In recognition of African American History Month, students at one high school in the Berkshires participated in a day of presentations from local African American role models, who shared their own stories with students and reflected on their heritage.

Multicultural BRIDGE – a non-profit organization with a mission to promote diversity understanding and acceptance in area communities, held their first Living African-American History Month Project, through a partnership with Pittsfield High School.

Pittsfield-area commercial leaders and experts participated in a forum Tuesday to discuss bringing their businesses to an international level. 

U.S. Representative Richard Neal said that the forum he organized for the business community in his new Congressional district is similar to forums he previously held in a former district closer to Boston. Neal said that across the Massachusetts have a significant potential for growth in a new global marketplace.

Out of many of the proposals Governor Patrick made in this State of the State address, an increase in transportation & infrastructure spending in particular struck a chord in the Berkshires.

The Governor’s specific mention of connecting Pittsfield to New York with commuter rail service was of particular interest to Pittsfield state representative Tricia Farley-Bouvier….

Since 2011, planners in Berkshire County have been conducting  a federally funded study of community sustainability. Now this week,  the first set of findings are being released. WAMC’s Berkshire Bureau Chief Lucas Willard reports…

The Sustainable Berkshires is a long-term plan, being developed by the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, is intended to help guide investment in private, public, and non-profit initiatives.

Nat Karns, Executive Director of the BRPC, says that the goal of the study starts with a simple question.

For communities in the Berkshires it’s the time of year when local governments determine their tax rates, and many this year are seeing their taxes go up while property values go down. WAMC’s Berkshire Bureau Chief Lucas Willard reports…

North Adams Mayor Richard Alcombright said he’s predicting that residents of the small Berkshire city could see their taxes rise 3% this year – but he says his cities tight fiscal situation is not uncommon right now.

A grassroots initiative designed to strengthen the agricultural economy and address the needs of area farmers has kicked off in the Central Berkshires. WAMC’s Berkshire Bureau Chief Lucas Willard reports…