Berkshire County Employment Outlook

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[Allen]

"The Berkshires are on the edge of a new era. The investments being made in our community are substantial, too many to list here, perhaps in a future edition we will inventory them...." -
Tyler Fairbank

I haven't seem them listed yet.

I'm not challenging the notion, I'd just like to see how many are based just on private enterprise expansion (Interprint, Petricca, Berkshire Bank, etc.)...

...and how much has been driven by bad political decisions ($1.1 to Beacon Cinema, tax breaks to Spice,$350,000 to LTI glass who admitted that they were going to move to Pittsfield without the politcal gift, etc.).

It just seems as if Ruberto and PEDA want to lay claim to the positive things that they had no influence upon whatsoever.

[Twopoint five]

Hey Spice and Wendy's are comming back and at least Dalton has oppenned the door for more jobs with some tax incentives and a new industrial park in the works.

[jassy303]

berkshire employment outlook hummm...

[Jose Can U See]

I am sorry but I can't see

when you're dancin with your honey and your nose kinda runny you may think it's funny but it's not

[jassy303]

jose is drunk

[jassy303]

so i guess your busy right now.

[Jeremy]

According to some of the figures I have seen Maunfacturing is down by 11.5% from 2004 3rd qtr to 2007 3rd qtr, Management of Companies (same time frame) down 27.8%.

On the upside Arts and Entertainment are up 18.3% Health Care abd Social Services, up, 13.5%.

I guess this means we are strengthening shows for an aging population and weakening producion of durable goods.

[Allen]

Jeremy wrote:

According to some of the figures I have seen Maunfacturing is down by 11.5% from 2004 3rd qtr to 2007 3rd qtr, Management of Companies (same time frame) down 27.8%.
On the upside Arts and Entertainment are up 18.3% Health Care abd Social Services, up, 13.5%.
I guess this means we are strengthening shows for an aging population and weakening producion of durable goods.

Unfortunatley, the upside isn't so great - at least in terms of immediate monetary and economic impact.

Theoretically, Arts and Enerttainment could strenghten the downtown and thus revitalize some of the retail sector.

When managed well, that theory has proven effective in other municipalities. However, this nation was in an economic boom during Ruberto's tenure and management dropped the ball in creating this possible reality.

To be sure, there has been notable improvement, but given the real estate and overall economic progress made nationally and statewide from 2003-2007, there was a huge gap in what Pittsfield did. Just compare what Great Barrington did during the same period.

Regarding Health Care, it is sort of catch-22 in so much that the costs of health care drain disposable income from the consumers.

[Swinson]

It is a bit of a vicious circle out here.
One must create a location that is desirable for people to live in. This requires supportive institutions like good schools, roads, retail businesses, restaurants, and someplace that is considered "safe". There must be a quality of life that is attractive.

Once you have a good quality of life, you must then create conditions favorable to companies seeking to relocate. Tax breaks, building incentives, legislation favorable to that industry.

If people do not want to move here, no business will relocate here. If businesses do not relocate here, no people will relocate here. Sure there will always be the second homeowner but effectively that does not boost the economy in a fully sustainable fashion.

[Jeremy]

Allen wrote:

<quoted text>
Unfortunatley, the upside isn't so great - at least in terms of immediate monetary and economic impact.
Theoretically, Arts and Enerttainment could strenghten the downtown and thus revitalize some of the retail sector.
Regarding Health Care, it is sort of catch-22 in so much that the costs of health care drain disposable income from the consumers.

The upside was only to show what was increasing in the current job sector, some confusion there I'll work on my nomenclature and try not sound so etherial.

With a city such as Pittsfield that has a weakening manufacturing workforce, and strengthening arts and health care workforce where should it go given it's current labor status?

Swinson eludes to focusing efforts on essentials, which I agree with, I'd like to ride my motorcycle without swerving around potholes.

But I get the sense Pittsfield is on this 'edge' overlooking what? I'm in favor of developing sustainable practices and keeping people working in what makes them happy, which requires intellectual stock to manage. According to other demographic research the pool is shallow, no offense, and very few that I have met are sitting at home, not involved.

[Swinson]

I think if we could get a good base of research based v. service based health care companies in the area we would be much better off.

Recent inroads to service based health care have met with substantial government interference. Anyone remember the imaging center that was going to be on North Street? They actually had legislation passed to stop them from doing "large" imaging and the service was moved to NY.

[jassy303]

is this the dog talking?

[NAtownie]

You've got to be kidding if you think the majority of these jobs are "living wage" jobs!!!

Once again, a Bronx cheer for State Rep. Dan Bosley for his inaction and incompetence in passing legislation that benefits big business --- and the execs and lobbyists who contribute to his campaign --- while killing job creation initiatives that will help middle-class residents.

Oh yeah, he put through that pork-barrel life sciences initiative that brings several million to MCLA. By the way, MCLA is chartered as a "liberal arts" college --- not a research and science facility.

So, once again, Bosley, who never saw a tax giveaway to big business that he didn't like, puts through more pork barrel legislation for those who contributed to his campaign --- and the heck with the taxpaying residents of the Northern Berkshires.

Way to go, Danny Boy!!!

[Jeremy]

Some Stats for us to think about: Source Berkshire County Regional Employment Board, Inc. June 13, 2008

Job Vacancy Rate of Major Occupation Sector for Berk County 4th Qtr 2007

# of Vacancies = 1793 3.9%

Job Vacancy Rate of Major Industry Sector for Berk County 4th Qtr 2007

# of Vacancies = 1908 3.7%

Job Vacancy Rate of Major Occupations Sector for State of Mass 4th Qtr 2007

# of Vacancies = 92,021 3.2%

Tyler mentioned something about 'Here is the data', I didn't see it in the eagle so I thought I would offer what I had.

[Just Looking Here]

The Berkshires are a depressed area.....learn to accept that. Get out your easel, pain and a brush and call yourself an artist and attempt to live off the State.

[Just Looking Here]

Attempt to live off the State. I did it and so can you. I don't want you dang jobs. I like my welfare. Down with the Berkshires!

[your joking right]

How can Tyler Fairbanks claim that there are many jobs to be had beyond the minimun wage entry level positions? Has he attempted to look for a job that pays well enough to support a family. My husband has been out of work, looking each and every day for months with no success. Unless you count a $10 an hour job good. There is nothing out there. When a good opening does appear, its all who you know if you want to get the job!I was laid off 4 years ago and was offered 10 different jobs, all $15k less than I was currently making, with no pension either! I ended up taking a job out of state. If you are fortunate enough to have a decent paying job, pray you never loose it because you wont get another one around here!!!

[Eric]

If jobs were plentiful, our population would be increasing. It is not. Therefore blather such as Fairbanks is proof of the maxim there are lies, damned lies, and statistics.

[Just Looking Here]

Why come to NA?

[Jamie Bairstow]

Just Looking Here wrote:

Why come to NA?

For a guy who is "just looking", you seem to be on every single thread ...

What is your agenda?

Your negativity pervades all threads.

People are trying to think forward... Have you nothing positive, EVER, to add?

Just wondering.