BRTA Awarded Grant to Expand Service Area

08:01AM / Wednesday, December 04, 2024Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Regional Transit Authority (BRTA) with the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA) and Franklin Regional Transit Authority (FRTA) were awarded a $1,577,607 Regional Transit Authority(RTA) grant to facilitate connections between the PVTA and FRTA service areas.

The grant will support commuter service between Pittsfield and Northampton, service between North Adams and Greenfield, and increased frequency on current service between Greenfield and Northampton, announced the Healey-Driscoll Administration in a press release Tuesday.

"Residents across our state rely on Regional Transit Authorities to get to work, school, the grocery store, doctor’s appointments, and more. This funding will increase service options and make commutes easier, in addition to our recent investment to make service free at most RTAs," said Governor Maura Healey. "Our administration is committed to prioritizing improvements to transportation infrastructure and quality of life in our communities."

The BRTA partnership with PVTA and FRTA will launch in 2025 once MassDOT completes repairs on the intercity coaches the RTAs will use for this service.

This is part of $10 million in funding to nine RTAs for 10 projects that increase connections between transit routes and service areas throughout the state. The grants will allow RTAs to pilot new expansions, continue promising pilots, and improve existing connections.

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Pittsfield Cannabis Cultivator Plans Dispensary

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
12:57PM / Friday, December 26, 2025

PITTSFIELD. Mass. — A cannabis cultivator and manufacturer has opted to sell its products on site in Downing Parkway.

The Zoning Board of Appeals this month approved a special permit for J-B.A.M. Inc. to operate a dispensary out of its existing grow facility. There will only be changes to the interior of 71 Downing Parkway, as there will be less than 500 square feet of retail space in the 20,000-square-foot building.

"My only concern would be the impact, and really would be traffic, which I don't think is excessive, the odor, if there was one, but that doesn't seem to be an issue, and I think it's a good location for a marijuana facility," board member Thomas Goggins said.

The company's indoor cultivation site plan was approved in 2019, an amendment to add manufacturing and processing in 2021, and on the prior day, a new site plan to add a retail dispensary was approved by the Community Development Board.

J-B.A.M. cannabis products are available in local dispensaries.

The interior of the facility will be divided to accommodate an enclosed check-in area, front entrance, retail lobby, secure storage room, offices, and two bathrooms. There are 27 parking spaces for the facility, which is sufficient for the use.

No medical or recreational cannabis uses are permitted within 500 feet of a school or daycare, a setback that is met, and the space is within an industrial park at the end of a cul-de-sac.

"The applicant desires the restructuring of the business to be more competitive in the industry with the ability to grow and sell their own cannabis products so they have more financial stability," Chair Albert Ingegni III, read from the application.

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