SHELBURNE FALLS — Rural Commonwealth will receive $1.5 million from the state economic development bond bill to create an economic development center in Charlemont.
A two-story center is proposed for East Charlemont’s Hall Tavern Farm. The plan is to convert the farm’s 1920s dairy barn into a 50,000-square-foot space with Rural Commonwealth offices and meeting rooms for business functions.
“The barn is gorgeous inside,” said Beth Bandy, a founder and co-director of Rural Commonwealth. She said the second story has exposed beams and will provide a “huge meeting space” in the upper barn.
“It’s a really fun and interesting place,” she said. “We want to make it a real hub and a resource for the area.”
Bandy said that last year, West County businesses were asked what facilities would help their businesses. The answers ranged from a convenient training space for business and employee seminars, networking space, and a space for shared equipment — such as a good laser printer — so businesses could produce fliers and other printed items without making a 20-mile drive from town.
Because the Hall Tavern Farm is convenient to the state “middle mile” broadband, it could be connected to high-speed broadband so online training sessions could become available from Rural Commonwealth to businesses and farms in the 170 rural towns it serves.
“We’re also looking at what happens when broadband does come to towns here,” Bandy said. “We’re looking at what kinds of jobs could be done remotely and what kind of jobs are available.”
Bandy said recreational business owners said many tourists are coming into the area, but can’t find many places for people to stay where they can work and keep in contact with their places of business.
She said there are “rec-tech” lodgings out west in which people can ski or enjoy outdoor activities but also conduct work or meetings online.
“Companies might want to have a retreat out here, and stay connected to their work, but also do some recreation on the side,” she said.
She also hopes that online “tech training” at the economic center will “promote the area and attract people” when the center is up and running.
Earlier this summer, Sen. Adam Hinds, D-Pittsfield sponsored and shepherded many targeted amendments as part of a state economic bond bill, including the $1.5 million for a proposed Eight-Town Economic Development Center.
Bandy said that Line-Sync Architects of Wilmington, Vt., is producing a feasibility study for the barn conversion that will be available next month.
Diane Broncaccio can be reached at: dbroncaccio@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 277.