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Lawmakers Hear of Importance of Berkshire Tourism

The Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development held a hearing Monday morning at the Berkshire Museum that attracted leaders of almost all of the county's tourist attractions. Below, co-Chairwoman Rep. Cory Atkins addresses the audience.
Cultural Economy by the Numbers 125,000 jobs $17 billion in revenue $3.6 billion in wages $11 million in state & local taxes Source: Mass Office of Travel & Tourism

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Every 747 that lands at Logan International Airport puts 16 Massachusetts residents to work.

Tourism and culture pump $17 billion into the economy yearly and employs more than 125,000, some 3,500 in the Berkshires alone.

The state needs to do all it can to increase the number of people visiting the state by air and otherwise, said Betsy Wall, executive director for the state Office of Travel and Tourism, at the Berkshire Museum on Monday morning.

The public hearing held by the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts, and Cultural Development brought cultural, business and political leaders together to plead for additional state support in tourism.

Lawmakers say they understand the importance of the arts in the economy and community, with Committee co-Chairwoman Rep. Cory Atkins, D-Concord, noting that more than 100 representatives sponsored her amendment to add $1.6 million the Massachusetts Cultural Council's budget this year.

Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo said tourism accounts for $60.9 million in revenue for the state budget and creates 125,000 jobs.

"Tourism and arts are an important part of our state's identity," DeLeo said, adding that tourism is the third largest industry in the commonwealth

According to Wall, the Berkshires is currently "outpacing" the entire state while the state is "outpacing" the rest of the country when it comes to tourism dollars. But continuing to capture those dollars could be threatened by the state of New York, because New York has increased its spending on marketing and tourism from $19 million to $60 million.

"We have to fight. We have compete for this money," Wall said. "We have a very, very competitive market."

The market isn't confined to the region — it's the entire world. Wall said Massachusetts has recently opened new markets with advertising and is attracting tourist from Latin America, Asia and the Middle East — to add to such standbys as Europe. Additionally, there is a "robust" domestic marketing program bringing people to the state and New England.

Lauri Klefos, of the Berkshire Visitors Bureau, said she was able to leverage $310,000 in state dollars to get $780,000 in matches from local organizations. With that, the bureau was able to create a year-round marketing plan that reaches 400 million people. That builds on the state's campaign that is reaching those international markets the bureau doesn't have tho funds to reach.

"This investment you made in the Berkshires is really making a difference," Klefos said, adding that in the last year, the county has seen a 6 percent increase in visitor spending.

The attractions where the visitors drop the dollars in the Berkshires say they depend on state funds to help market and operate. According to Tristan Wilson, managing director of Barrington Stage Company, income from tourism accounts for only half of the operating expenses.

"We rely on donations to bridge that gap," he said, donations that rarely come out-of-town visitors, which make up two-thirds of the theater's audience. So the theater company reaches out to national organizations, corporations and the state to find the extra support. "We need the support of the state."

Federal funding remains uncertain with a proposal in the U.S. House that would cut funding for the National Endowment for the Arts in half. U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who testified, said she believes arts is "a measure of who we are" but funding for the arts is being held up by Republicans.

U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren testified in support of the arts.

"We've got world-class museums, world-class music, world-class dance. We've got it. We just need to support it and create access to it so there is transportation to get out here. That's a way to bring a stronger economy for this region," Warren said, after her testimony. "It is not just good for this region. It is good for our country. It is the right direction."

Nonetheless, Warren said she is proud of Massachusetts because "we get it" and want to put money into the arts. Warren said she testified to add her voice to that of the local areas in support of humanities.

"It is a great statement here in Massachusetts about how we understand the importance of investing in the arts and we understand what it will mean for this region. It would be great for the Berkshires but we've got to do it," Warren said.

Veronica Bosley, director of tourism for the city of North Adams, said tourism has become a cornerstone of the former mill city's economy and funding for regional tourism councils is imperative to attracting visitors. Bosley said 200,000 people visit North Adams every year and, in the last three years, 10 businesses were able to open because of increased tourism dollars.

Additionally, Jonathan Secor, of the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, said partnerships of cultural institutions are keeping a younger demographic from leaving the city.

But arts is not just a way to further the economy. Caroline Burns, president of Berkshire Children and Families, said arts education plays a major role in the development of the youth and helps them grow to become more educated adults.

"Intensive study of the arts is every bit as important as academics," Burns said.

Because of that, Burns said her organization recently began a music program for local schools, helping to fill in gaps from school budget cuts in the arts.

While the state has increased funding of cultural organizations, there is a lot of untapped potential, many who testified said.

Anita Walker, executive director of the Massachusetts Cultural Council, said the financial impacts that are being made with funding from her agency comes from a lot of hard work from the receiving cultural institutions. This year, the organization will be able to increase its impact in the arts by some 15 percent for grant awardees because of the budget increase from the state.

And every one of those dollars will be stretched to get the most of them, she said.

"I am mystified at how these organizations and individuals continue to provide high-quality, world-class enrichment," Walker said, with the funding they have to work with.

Rain Slows Growth of Butternut Fire

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:35PM / Thursday, November 21, 2024

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass.— Rain has slowed the Butternut Fire's growth but it's estimated at about 1,200 acres at this point. 

It's the largest wildfire in the Berkshires since nearly a 1,000 acres burned in Clarksburg State Forest back in 2021. 

"We want to start with some good news. Ground patrols are finding minimal new fire activity since this morning's rains began," the Great Barrington Fire Department posted on its Facebook page at 12:45 p.m..

"We want to reiterate that the rain will not extinguish the fire but it is helping to stop the spread. The weather has also delayed some of the drone operations — as a result we do not have an official size. What we do know — the growth has been minimal."

Fire Lt. Brian Mead earlier Thursday morning said the fire had seen some growth overnight but not to extent of Wednesday's surge. Fire was reported within a quarter mile of homes and was "stopped in its tracks." There are now more than 100 personnel on the ground and there has been one injury related to the fire, which he did not elaborate on.

 

"The rain will help to some extent but it will not extinguish the fire," said Mead. "We will remain on scene for the days and weeks to come but we still need your help. Please, please follow the local and state bans on outdoor fire. The last thing we need is another preventable fire."

At 4 p.m., the department reported that it will continue to operate under unified command with support from local, state, and federal agencies. Friday's operations will be scaled back with smaller crews and focused on monitoring and reporting.

At the last live update of the day, Mead said the fire would continue to be monitored and fire crews dispatched as needed. 

 

"There is a lot of misinformation on out social media and we ask that you please, please rely on local official sites," he said. "Please avoid the areas and allow us to do our work."

 

The rain and smoke has made drone monitoring difficult so the exact size of the fire is not known; he estimated it grew about 100 acres over the past 24 hours. 

Two rumors he dispelled were that the fire did not start at Camp Eisner. Mead said the initial location of the burn has not been identified but it did not start at the camp, which is occupied. Ski Butternut is also not in danger and that fire crews have kept the blaze to a safe distance. 

A section of the Appalachian Trail has been affected and that area shut down. 

Thursday's rain slowed growth and allowed crews to establish strong fire boundaries meaning that swaths have been cut and cleared to create fire breaks — which are holding.

At this time, no homes or structures are in immediate danger.

The fire near Brush Hill Road off East Mountain was first reported Monday evening. On Tuesday, it spread over 100 acres, and on Wednesday, it covered over 1,100 acres, expanding into Sheffield.

The town remains in a state of emergency, as declared by the Select Board on Tuesday, but first responders assure that Great Barrington is not in danger.

Firefighters were dispatched to three locations for concerns of fire extension into homes and in one instance, the fire was allowed to continue in a controlled state to a driveway and self-extinguished.  They are aware of one injury from the fire and urge community members to avoid the area and leave firefighting to the professionals.

"More than 120 personnel are on the ground today fighting this fire," Mead reported on Thursday morning.

He said the day’s rain will help to some extent but will not extinguish the fire, explaining "We will remain on scene for the days and weeks to come."  

At this time, the primary focus remains the protection of life and property, as patrols and alert residents identified some encroaching fire and stopped it in its tracks.

"We have strategically placed structural task forces, prepared to protect homes and property. Although they are staged and at the ready — there is NO immediate threat to residents," the department wrote in the 12:45 update.

"At the same time, crews have been working through the rain cutting fire breaks in the forest to further stop any expansion. Those control lines are holding."

Area residents can expect smoke to linger for the next several days. The Southern Berkshire Public Health Collaborative released guidance for the poor air quality, as it can worsen allergies and cause respiratory infections, especially for those with heart disease asthma, or other lung diseases.

Residents are urged to monitor air quality and symptoms, move outdoor activities inside, wear a KN-95 mask when outdoors, close windows and vents in homes, and use HEPA filters.

Even with recent rains — there is a burn ban in Great Barrington until further notice. Additionally, state officials are evaluating week by week for statewide bans.

"With an immense amount of appreciation, we are not accepting donations at this time. In true New England fashion — neighbors have truly helped neighbors," the department wrote. "We are grateful to the community for once again showing your support."

Mead urged the community to "please please follow the local and state bans on fire, the last thing we need is another preventable fire."