If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
Your Comments
iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.
I realize that faster internet service will be a boon to the area, However, it has not happened via the private sector because it was not cost effective. Will it be cost effective when financed by the taxpayer? How about a user fee user fee on the service until the "loan" can be paid back to the taxpayers. That way the region gets serviced and the taxpayers are not left holding the bag for the few. I am sure that to be able to benefit from this new faster service, the users would be happy to "pay back" the taxpayers who made it possible.
Does anyone at the State or Federal level ever think in terms of who is going to pay for things?
"The service area contains more than one million residents, over 44,000 businesses, at least 2,100 community anchor institutions (CAI), and 3,429 square miles. The middle-mile network will be within three miles of more than 98 percent of households, CAIs, and businesses. This will dramatically change the cost equation and service options for last-mile providers and allow for competitively priced residential and business-class broadband services."
Does this mean that private business will now be able to service customers they would not have been able to before for cost reasons?
Does this mean that we have now subsidized these "private" companies to the tune of millions of dollars to run a high speed line closer to the servicing area.
These companies should at least be made to pay laying of these High Speed lines. I know they will only pass the cost onto customers, but the customers should be happy that they can finally get High Speed Internet at a premium price for sure, but at least it would then be available as a choice.
Editor: The initiative is the same thinking that produced programs like the Rural Electrification and the federal and state highway systems. Those programs greatly aided businesses as well as citizens. The problem in rural communities is that the big carriers (DSL, cable) are not willing to invest millions because the return isn't big enough. Like electrification, the government is providing the main investment for communities to plug into - residents and businesses alike. Check out WiredWest for more information.
Abigail, you realize that you--and everyone else--most certainly HAVE asked for AND received governemnt monies, right? Lots of them.
Unless you're the rare person who doesn't use any of the following: highways, airports, cellular communications, and the internet. Or how about the "government monies" you get in the form of interest deductions and tax benefits for things like mortgages, capital gains, etc?
Or locally, things like snow plowing, court systems, enforcement of parking, zoning, or other ordinanaces. Fire protection. A prison to hold people who have broken criminal laws. Hospitals. Safe drinking water. Regulation of pollution.
Yea, I'm sure you never asked for or used any of that stuff.
You are right though, that stuff is "part of capitalism." It's the part that free-marketeers like to pretend doesn't exist.
Editor: I agree with Publius. Abigail's argument is she already has a road to her door, so why should she have to subsidize roads to other people's doors? iBerkshires, obviously, pays for broadband. We are situated in North Adams so have access to it. People on Florida Mountain would love to pay for broadband, too, but no one will offer it to them. This investment will build a road to Florida so they can pay to have it come to their doors.
Welcome to the 21st century Western Mass!! Nobody bats an eye when roads, bridges, and highways are built with tax dollars.
Fasten your seat belts and prepare for a ride on the information super-highway. In our increasingly wired (commerce) world information exchange becomes a requirement for participation in the new economy.
This is the type of infrastructure improvements that will yield many times the benefits of the initial costs.
This is a wise, far sighted, and proper use of tax dollars.
I find it ironic that some residents of densely populated eastern MA protest about the broadband initiative grant, when for years their auto insurance rates were heavily subsidized by drivers in Western MA under the state's former auto insurance rate formulas.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced $525,482 in Career Technical Initiative (CTI) implementation grants awarded to two organizations in the Berkshires to train 80 individuals for careers in high-demand occupations within the trades, construction, and manufacturing sectors in the region.
In North Adams, McCann Technical School was awarded $344,871 to provide training to 60 participants for Automotive Technician, Advanced Manufacturing, and Welding positions. They will partner with T&M Auto Sales Inc., Berkshire Bridge & Iron Co. Inc., Haddad GMC, Haddad Subaru, Bedard Brothers Auto Sales Inc., Lenco Armored Vehicles, TOG Manufacturing, Sinicon Plastics, Adams Plumbing & Heating Inc., and Gills Point S Tire.
"We are excited to be working with our MassHire team to continue to address our workforce needs and build talent pipelines and career pathways in Advanced Manufacturing, Welding and Automotive Technician," McCann Superintendent James Brosnan said. "This CTI award will provide hands-on training and support as we continue to expand our skilled talent pool for employers in the Berkshires."
In Pittsfield Taconic High School was awarded $180,610 to provide training to 20 participants for Metal Fabrication and Auto Technology positions. They will partner with O.W. Landergren Inc., Lenco Industries Inc., Bedard Brothers, Haddad's Auto Group, and RW's Auto Inc.
"Pittsfield Public Schools is incredibly grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and Commonwealth Corporation for the CTI award to Taconic High School. This grant will have a significant and lasting impact on our community by providing skilled technicians to address critical shortages in Berkshire County," said Superintendent Joseph Curtis. "We are excited to partner with Lenco Industries, Haddads, Bedards, RW Auto, O.W. Landergren, Northeast Fabricators, and the MassHire Berkshire Career Center. These partnerships will serve as a catalyst for positive change, ensuring that our trainees are well-prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st-century workforce, while simultaneously strengthening our local economy."
The CTI grant program, a state-funded workforce initiative, partners with career and technical education schools to provide adult learners, especially unemployed and underemployed individuals from underserved populations and underrepresented groups, with career training and technical skills to meet the needs of Massachusetts employers. The program transforms career and technical education schools across the state to become "Career Technical Institutes" that run after dark programs in the construction/trades, manufacturing, and skilled trades career pathways.
"Addressing our workforce needs and building talent pipelines and career pathways in construction, trades and manufacturing sectors is a priority for this administration," said Governor Maura Healey. "CTI offers hands-on training that will support our jobseekers, workers and employers. We're proud to expand the CTI awards to these two schools in the Berkshires to strengthen our workforce and grow our economy throughout the state."
The School Committee earlier this month approved upping the pay scale by $35 to $55 a day and creating a new base of $130 for substitutes with fewer credentials.
click for more
Dunkin' Donuts celebrated its reopening after undergoing a recent remodel by presenting the Friendship Center Food Pantry with a $3,000 donation. click for more
