Rural Spotlight from Western MA

I’ve wanted to interview Ben Lamb for a few years now and he did not disappoint.  We spoke on diversifying revenue streams for his organization’s regional work and whether the rapid federal funding changes are having an effect.  We also spent considerable time on housing challenges and what it could look like using a growing housing sector to improve the regional economy.  

We made an argument against de-populating western MA (in fact,  Berkshire county is re-populating) and we took a close look at the state of the region’s micro markets, some behind 2000 units or more and how this presents an opportunity.  How codes designed for larger urban areas are limiting factors in a region like the Berkshires and where the biggest opportunities are for developers in sectors like senior living and downtown mixed use.   

What does the current tech and manufacturing sectors look like today 40 years on after the shock of loosing core industries in cities like North Adams and Pittsfield? 

There is a unique connectedness of rural communities here in New England and we had an opportunity to explore how Berkshire county is taking advantage of that. 

We hope you enjoy.