Post date: Mar 22, 2018 4:19:56 PM
Hi Jason,
Hope you’re doing well. I’m reaching out regarding BRPC’s application for Economic Development District status on behalf of Berkshire County. This application is to the U.S. Economic Development Administration (sub to the US Dept. of Commerce), and is possible at this time because our regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) has been approved by the EDA as of December 2017. EDD status is a “gateway” to potential funding sources in the future, but is no guarantee of funding.
One feature of the application packet is that we need to provide letters of support from at least ½ of the municipalities in the county. There are no accompanying obligations, financial or otherwise, but it is good for as many stakeholders as possible to know that BRPC is pursuing this, and that there are potential opportunities for funding down the road.
Laura
Laura Brennan
Senior Planner – Community & Economic Development
Berkshire Regional Planning Commission
Slides attached as well as my letter of support. This is a valuable program that could be beneficial for the county. For us, it may help as part of some sort of regional initiative -- I expect our local demographic and economic conditions will leave us outside of eligibility.