PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Anyone who has seen Petricca Industries transport massive concrete structures from its Cheshire Road location, through Park Square, and off to the Massachusetts Turnpike can see the challenge.

 

"They've now became one of the largest employers in the city of Pittsfield and it is a privilege that that homegrown business has had the success that it's had," Mayor Linda Tyer said Thursday night. "Yet, it is still challenged in the way it is able to transport its product through our community."

 

Petricca stays and grows in the city of Pittsfield despite the transportation woes because the owners are committed to the community, Tyer said. Just like those Tyer was addressing Thursday when she was the keynote speaker at 1Berkshires' Good News Business Salute.

 

Pittsfield's new mayor told the more than 200 people who attended the sold-out event at the Country Club of Pittsfield that her administration will focus its energies to support businesses that exist now and are committed to the area.

 

"We are a great city. Your being here signifies that you take pride in the work that you do every day," Tyer told the gathering of business leaders.

 

Tyer said the Berkshires have been trying for years to lure companies from the outside to bring jobs and investment. But the waiting has gone on too long without success. 

 

"We need to start putting all of our resources, our efforts, our energy, our enthusiasm into the businesses that are here right now that turn on their lights every day, that employ people that produce a product, provide service," Tyer said.

 

The mayor said she envisions a future centering on the creative economy and she is hoping to work through collaborations to build a modern city. 

 

"Our future lies in the creative economy. How do we build an economy around architects, engineers, software designers, film and media? We have an emerging and growing and dynamic art and culture community and we have to support that too," Tyer said. 

 

"But it isn't just those organizations that make up the art and culture community. It is our young professionals that graduate from college with advanced degrees in engineering and software design. It is that creative economy that we should be investing in. People who are doing that kind of creative work want to live in a place that's interesting. Isn't the Berkshires' interesting? We have a dynamic art and culture community, a beautiful natural environment, we now have in Pittsfield some hip, urban spaces and a fabulous downtown. Let's capitalize on those strengths."

 

To do so, she said the city needs to bring broadband to all commercial centers, ensure public safety and protect businesses, and recruit young professionals to move here. Additionally, she says those who live here need to be connected with the 1,600 or so open jobs currently available in the area.

 

"One of the things I want to speak about is the myth that there aren't any jobs here ... We do have jobs but we are having trouble connecting the dots," Tyer said. "This perception is bolstered by many factors. There job openings, 1,600 of them across the entire county, range from entry level to skilled workers to professionals. We need to celebrate the fact that we do have jobs and find ways to make connections so we can employ the people living and working here in the Berkshires and in Pittsfield."

 

Tyer focused much of her address on praising the work that often goes unnoticed in the Berkshires to show "things about Pittsfield that will make our city great." One example is the compassion of the owners of Flavours of Malaysia, Sabrina Tan and Chin Lee, who gathered residents together to drive around on cold days last week and deliver hot soup to people on the street.

 

"They saw struggle and they saw need and they did a very profound thing. They warmed the hearts of those in need. It is that sort of excellence that makes Pittsfield a great place," Tyer said.

 

The Good News Salute also celebrated the work of the Berkshire County Regional Employment Board, Kiwanis Club of Pittsfield, and the Town Players of Pittsfield. It was emceed by Chris MacBeth of the Brien Center. 

 

"Under your leadership, we are going to be celebrating Pittsfield," MacBeth said of Tyer.