Why do business in the Berkshires?
The real question is … why not do business in the Berkshires?
We have it all. A place known for industry, innovation and bold intellectual ideas. Distinguished, leading-edge institutions of higher education. Mountain vistas, rolling rivers and serene lakes. Deep agricultural roots and locally sourced food. A place where creativity and culture abound with world-renowned venues in music, arts and theater.
As we like to say, it is the place to work, live, play and create. And 1Berkshire is charged with strengthening and growing the Berkshire economy using an innovative collaborative approach among the region’s business, tourism, economic, and creative development efforts.
Formed in the summer of 2010, 1Berkshire is the umbrella organization representing the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce, the Berkshire Visitors Bureau, the Berkshire Economic Development Corporation and the Berkshire Creative Economy Council. Dedicated to leveraging our commercial, creative, and community resources, 1Berkshire offers a seamless, unified economic development engine for the Berkshires, designed to position the region to thrive.
1Berkshire offers site selection, workforce training, technical assistance grants, career fairs, state procurement services, advocacy, relocation services and so much more. Our goal is to support economic growth in the Berkshire region.
And the Berkshires offers so much when it comes to commercial and industrial sites — excellent rail service, a state-of-the-art regional airport with private charter service for international travel, and incomparable educational institutions. Additionally compelling is our proximity to New York (three hours), Boston (two hours), Albany International Airport (50 minutes), and Hartford International Airport (90 minutes).
Area Advantages
We also offer:
- The top-rated liberal arts college in the country – Williams College (US News and World Reports).
- The best small town in America – Great Barrington (“Smithsonian Magazine,” 2012).
- The seventh most desirable destination in the world (“National Geographic”).
Nationally, the Berkshires are second only to Washington for their investment in the arts. And in 2013, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts will open a $60 million science and innovation center which represents one of the largest investments in higher education within the commonwealth.
Established companies and organizations include Crane & Co., Country Curtains, SABIC Innovative Plastics and the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s summer home, Tanglewood. Newcomers include Blue Q, Pine Cone Hill, Onyx Specialty Paper and Barrington Stage.
It’s a community that fundamentally believes that loving where you work, live, play, and create helps stimulate the soul … and the economy. The beauty is incomparable. The lifestyle is healthy. You can choose city, small town or country living, but you are never far away from what you need…close to everything and connected to everywhere.
1Berkshire is housed in the historic 1895 Central Station Fire Department in Pittsfield, a modern facility that offers conference and meeting rooms, classroom and the concierge center for 1Berkshire, as well as incubator space. Additional partner tenants include: Berkshire County Regional Employment Board, Berkshire Film & Media Commission and MassDevelopment.
Come visit us in the Berkshires and, before you know it, you will become part of this thriving community that works, lives, plays and creates.
Stuart Chase is the CEO of 1Berkshire Strategic Alliance.
