Economic Development

Section 4. Economic Development

Goals

  1. To create a healthy, diverse economic base and to increase the economic opportunities for the people of Pittsfield
Economic factors greatly affect a community’s potential for future growth and development. Greater economic opportunities increase the attractiveness of the community as a place to live and work. The availability of both commercial and industrial employment centers and new lucrative entrepreneurship opportunities in a community are major stimuli for growth and development. In addition to providing employment and income to people economic growth provides increased tax revenues to the city. A strong financial base allows the city to provide a wider range of amenities and services to its residents. Hence economic development is an important aspect of the comprehensive plan.

Objectives

  1. Emphasize the importance of the central business district as an important commercial center in the city
  • Encourage the development of retail and service businesses in the central business district; identify the businesses that will prosper in the downtown area and try to attract them.
  • Develop a ‘Shop Pittsfield’ program to promote local retail businesses.
  • Support the Main Street program in Pittsfield to strengthen the historic character of the downtown and to make it more attractive to residents as well as tourists and therefore, businesses.
  • Encourage the utilization of empty second stories in the downtown buildings as residential apartments and offices to bring more people into the downtown, making it more lucrative for businesses.
  • Develop a plan for the utilization of the Brown Shoe Factory site that will complement the central business district and attract people to the downtown area.

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