Berkshire CEDS
The Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for the Berkshires
The Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC), with help from communities, businesses and industries, and organizations from throughout the Berkshires is undertaking the task of developing a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for Berkshire County.
The Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) is defined by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) as a participatory planning process that will “help create jobs, foster more stable and diversified economies and improve living conditions.” It is a dynamic and evolving process that is meant to guide the economic future of the region, while still preserving the natural and cultural character of that region.
The CEDS process is not just a onetime economic planning document, it is an on-going regional economic development planning process designed to coordinate the economic development efforts of the region's diverse group of development organizations, local governments, private industry, entrepreneurs and other individuals.
The CEDS is required to maintain eligibility for federal Economic Development Administration (EDA) funding. According to EDA guidelines, eligibility for funding consideration requires:
- a continuous planning PROCESS responsive to other regional economic development initiatives;
- a CEDS STRATEGIC COMMITTEE representing the entire region and diverse in its members' backgrounds, interests and community orientations; and
- a DOCUMENT detailing the Committee's strategic planning process, updated annually as the Committee evaluates regional priorities and actions.
CEDS Background Information
The materials below are to be used for reference and/or informational purposes. Many of the documents have been provided to CEDS Strategic Committee members in preparation for the 2011 CEDS process.
- The CEDS flyer is a presentation of the EDA’s requirements for the CEDS process. Economic Development Administration’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Flyer
- The 2006 Berkshire Blueprint is a good reference document for recent economic development planning efforts that have been undertaking for the region.
- The 2001 Berkshire CEDS was the last CEDS completed and approved for Berkshire County. This document is a good reference tool to see the elements of the CEDS document. 2001 Berkshire CEDS document
- The 2010 Berkshire County Snapshot is a handy document briefly discussing the economic, housing and social characteristics of the county. 2010 Berkshire County Snapshot
- A brief review of the CEDS process and an explanation of the tasks, time commitments and thought processes asked of CEDS Strategic Committee members. 2011 Berkshire CEDS Strategic Committee Handout
- The 2010 State New Economy Index was developed by the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation to analysis the economic transfer of states with a focus on innovation. Funding for this report was provided by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation of Entrepreneurship. 2010 State New Economy Index: Benchmarking Economic Transformation in States
Berkshire CEDS Materials
The Final 2011 Berkshire Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy is complete and available for download by accessing the hyperlink below. Please be aware, the final report is very large and may require a long time to download with slower internet connections.
The final report was endorsed by the CEDS Strategy Committee on May 17th and the BRPC (full commission) adopted the final report at the June 20th special meeting. The document will now be sent to the Economic Development Administration for approval.
The BRPC staff and CEDS Strategy Committee would like to thank all the communities, individuals and organization that made this report possible. Since the CEDS is an only process, please check back often for new updates.
If you have troubles downloading the document or questions on the final report, please contact Daniel J. Sexton, BRPC Planner, by phone at (413) 442-1521 ex. 28, or e-mail at dsexton@berkshireplanning.org
The 2011 Berkshire CEDS Committee
The 2011 Berkshire CEDS Committee, staffed by BRPC, is initiating this economic planning process to revive the Berkshire CEDS document and process, which had been on hiatus since 2001. In accordance with EDA guidelines, the Berkshire CEDS Committee represents a diverse set of interests and core competencies from throughout the region. Among its members are representatives and advocates of local governments, business, industry, finance, education, community organizations, public health agencies, the aged, the unemployed, underemployed, racial or ethnic minorities, and women. The Committee demonstrates the region's conscientious effort to include as broad a range of voices as possible in the development strategy for the Berkshire economy.
| Name | Organization |
|---|---|
| Brenda Burdick | General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems |
| Christine Ludwiszewski | Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce (SBCC) |
| Deanna Ruffer | City of Pittsfield |
| Eleanore Velez | Citizen Member |
| Heather Boulger | Berkshire County Regional Employment Board (BCREB) |
| Helena Fruscio | Berkshire Creative |
| J. Michael Hoffmann | TD Bank |
| Kevin O'Donnell | Town of Great Barrington |
| Keith Girouard | Mass Small Business Development Center |
| Kristine Hazzard | Berkshire United Way |
| Lauri Klefos | Berkshire Visitors Bureau |
| Laury Epstein | Berkshire Grown |
| Mike Nuvallie | City of North Adams |
| Mike Supranowicz | Berkshire Chamber of Commerce |
| Robert Wilson | IBEW Local 7 (Electrical Workers) |
| Roger Bolton | Berkshire Regional Planning Commission |
| Tim Geller | South Berkshire Community Development Corporation (SBCDC) |
| Mark Berman | MCLA |
| Stuart Chase | 1Berkshires Strategic Alliance, Inc. |
CEDS Strategy Committee Meeting Packets
For each of the CEDS Strategy Committee meeting, members received packets of information. Those packets of information have been provided below for review by the public. Please check back often to see the latest CEDS Strategy Committee meeting information.
- October 26, 2010 CEDS Strategy Committee Meeting Packet
- November 30, 2010 CEDS Strategy Committee Meeting Packet
- January 11, 2011 CEDS Strategy Committee Meeting Packet
- January 25, 2011 CEDS Strategy Committee Meeting Packet
- February 15, 2011 CEDS Strategy Committee Meeting Packet
- March 8, 2011 CEDS Strategy Committee Meeting Packet
- March 8, 2011 CEDS Project Comment Packet
- March 22, 2011 CEDS Strategy Committee Meeting
- April 12, 2011 CEDS Strategy Committee Meeting
- May17, 2011 CEDS Strategy Committee Meeting Packet
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May 17, 2011 CEDS Strategy Committee Handout Packet
Meeting Minutes
Meeting minutes from the 2011 CEDS Strategic Committee proceedings will be posted upon ratification by the Committee. The next regularly scheduled CEDS Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 17, 2011 from 12:30 pm to 2:30pm at the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission conference room.
Missed any meetings? Find below an up-to-date listing of all the 2011 CEDS Strategic Committee proceedings:
Adopted CEDS Strategy Committee Meeting Minutes for October 26, 2010 meeting
Adopted CEDS Strategy Committee Meeting Minutes for November 30, 2010 meeting
Adopted CEDS Strategy Committee Meeting Minutes for January 11, 2011meeting
Adopted CEDS Strategy Committee Meeting Minutes for January 25, 2011
Adopted CEDS Strategy Committee Meeting Minutes for February 15, 2011
Adopted CEDS Strategy Committee Meeting Minutes for March 8, 2011
Adopted CEDS Strategy Committee Meeting Minutes for March 22, 2011
Adopted CEDS Strategy Committee Meeting Minutes for April 12, 2011
DRAFT CEDS Strategy Committee Meeting Minutes for May 17, 2011
CEDS Staffing Contact Information
Thomas Matuszko, Assistant Director
Berkshire Regional Planning Commission
1 Fenn Street, Suite 201
Pittsfield, MA 01201-6629
Ph: (413) 442-1521 ex. 34
E-mail: tmatuszko@berkshireplanning.org
Daniel J. Sexton, Planner
Berkshire Regional Planning Commission
1 Fenn Street, Suite 201
Pittsfield, MA 01201-6629
Ph: (413) 442-1521 ex. 28
E-mail: dsexton@berkshireplanning.org