Innovation center in Pittsfield seeks to boost regional economy

In early September, Pittsfield gave final approval for the use of $500,000 in startup funds for a 20,000 square-foot life science center.

The Berkshire Innovation Center, which will be located in the William Stanley Business Park, had already secured a $9.7 million capital grant for construction and equipment from the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center.

The innovation center will offer shared space and other assistance to local companies who are in the beginning stages of production in the life sciences field.

Pittsfield Community Development Director Doug Clark said the center will offer training for precision manufacturing procedures and special equipment to help companies advance their research, design and product development.

The goal is for the center to make available a wide range of expertise to members, local companies, community colleges and vocational schools, Clark said. The idea is for larger companies to collaborate and mentor small companies and startups.

“We really see this as providing a portal to technology that otherwise would be unavailable to companies in the region,” he said.

The center will be a collaborative, member-driven nonprofit organization, led by a private sector board. The board consists of educational institutions and companies.

The majority of participants will be small and medium-size companies in the region, with a focus on manufacturing companies, which are prevalent in the Berkshire economy, Clark said.

The center is expected to open in 2016.