“Berkshire County is a total quality center, where the community, culture, technology, industry and history reinforce one another. This makes the Berkshires a great place not only to visit, but to work, build and grow a business.” These words from brothers Armand and Donald Feigenbaum, whose General Systems Company is based in Pittsfield but operates globally, help explain why the Berkshires have such a distinguished past and such a bright future. The region’s long history of groundbreaking innovations and technological savvy has made it home to a remarkably diverse roster of business and industry.

The Berkshires is the corporate headquarters for SABIC Innovative Plastics, Crane & Company, Berkshire Life Insurance Company of America, and many other highly respected companies.  Industries that make up the landscape are a mix of manufacturing, financial services, health care, educational services, printing and publishing, tourism, and arts, entertainment, and recreation.

The industries which experienced the most growth between 2001 and 2005 were Professional & Technical Services and Real Estate & Rental & Leasing.  Other industries showing growth during that same period: