Saturday, January 25, 2025

News and Ideas Worth Sharing

HomeBusiness

Business

BUSINESS MONDAY: Spotlight on Hy’s Fried—Clear the tables and open the dance floor!

This new “old club” is offering sweet–salty chicken and sides, spinning the vinyl, and shaking things up in South Egremont.

TECH & INNOVATION: Improved customer service with AI

ChatGPT listens to what I am requesting, answers the questions, and even remembers the context within which I am asking them.

CAPITAL IDEAS: How much will the stock market gain (or lose) in 2025?

What do I consider when calculating that potential return of 15 percent or more? Corporate earnings? Interest rates? The second derivative of inflation? Animal spirits? Darts thrown by monkeys? I am not that sophisticated; I look at history.

BUSINESS MONDAY: Spotlight on The Old Inn On The Green and The Southfield Store

Under the same ownership for the past two decades, these sibling New Marlborough treasures have withstood the test of time.

TECH & INNOVATION: The AI Winter

AI may seem not the new hot thing, but it actually took a long time to deliver enough value to become profitable.

BUSINESS BRIEFS: Wander Berkshires grand opening; Shakespeare & Company appoints Director of Development; 2nd Street elects board members; Berkshire Agricultural Ventures appoints board members;...

As a queer and transgender-founded community hub, Wander’s mission is to spark joy and alleviate loneliness through creativity, connection, and collaboration.

BUSINESS MONDAY: Spotlight on Hill Town Recycling & Waste—personalized service from a young entrepreneur

Founded in 2016, this local business is now owned and operated by 21-year-old Tristan Ralph, who is steadily growing the operation to serve the community.

COMMUNITY MATTERS: How a simple question led to greater access to health care

The story of VIM illustrates the ethic of community problem-solving that is a strength of the Berkshires.

CAPITAL IDEAS: What does my dad’s Christmas present tell us to expect from the stock market in 2025?

If you can look into the seeds of time and say which grain will grow and which will not, speak then unto me.

TECH TALK: Quantum computing tech, Part 2

Complex and expensive, it will happen but not quite yet.

BUSINESS BRIEFS: New home for Berkshire Pulse; Berkshire Money Management retirement resolutions; BCC ESOL funding; Local farmer awards; BCC announces cohort

Celebrating its 30th anniversary, Berkshire Pulse is thrilled to announce the recent purchase of an historic mill building in downtown Housatonic to serve as the organization’s future, permanent home.

BUSINESS MONDAY: Spotlight on Figlia—expanding the options and conversations for a healthier 2025

Tired of having to settle for soda instead of spirits, twenty-something Lily Geiger concocted a stylish, sophisticated, zero-proof drink from her family home in Ashley Falls. It's a business with a purpose.

CAPITAL IDEAS: What was the buzz in 2024?

I am always happy to converse about the things that excite, scare, or interest us the most—even if those feelings are sometimes just placeholders until the next latest thing buzzes in our ear and needs to be swatted away (or toward!) our investment portfolios.

TECH TALK: Emergent and limitless quantum computing

Quantum computing is undoubtedly an emergent technology—one that is still evolving but holds the potential to change the world.

BUSINESS BRIEFS: 1Berkshire annual meeting; Trolley station donated to North Chatham Free Library; BCC’s program reaches milestone; MountainOne acquires McClure; PS21 awarded grants

Over 200 attendees were present to hear about the economic development, membership, and marketing accomplishments that 1Berkshire achieved throughout this past year and to get a sneak peak into what 2025 will hold for the organization.

BUSINESS MONDAY: Spotlight on Berkshire Community Action Council—warming the winter for those in need

Going on six decades, the nonprofit has been "dedicated to minimizing the impact of poverty on people’s lives, helping people help themselves and each other, and making Berkshire County a better place to live.”