National Conference on AI in Rural Economies In North Adams

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — 1Berkshire, the Berkshire Innovation Center and the Center on Rural Innovation will hold a conference artificial intelligence on Wednesday, Sept. 10.
 
"Accelerating What's Possible: The Next Chapter for Rural Economies in the Age of AI" will be happening at Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art.
 
"For five years, CORI and the Rural Innovation Network have been a vital conduit to improve practices, advancing initiatives, and finding tailored guidance," said Ben Lamb, vice president of economic development at 1Berkshire. "To be able to partner with them in bringing this national conference to our corner of the world is both energizing and an honor as we get to welcome in friends, peers and colleagues from near and far to think and act in ways to advance our regional economy and the rural economies we find kinship with." 
 
This one-day national conference will bring together industry experts, policy leaders, rural economy innovators, and acceleration partners from across the country to the Berkshires to network, engage and set the course for the next chapter of rural economic development and innovation. 
 
Starting in 2020, the Berkshire Tech Impact Collaborative, a coalition of 1Berkshire, the Berkshire Innovation Center, and Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Berkshire Community College, began working with CORI to assess and advance initiatives and opportunities aligned with the Berkshire Blueprint 2.0 to catalyze, amplify, and accelerate the tech and innovation economy of the Berkshires. 
 
"The incredible potential for technology and innovation to drive rural growth is evident in places like the Berkshires," said Matt Dunne, CORI founder and executive director. "We are excited to be able to host this national gathering in a state that is leading the nation's innovation economy and explore opportunities and challenges that the AI era presents for rural communities across the country."
 
For more information and to register for the conference, visit ruralinnovation.us/accelerating-whats-possible/

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Boutique General Store Opens on Holden Street in North Adams

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — A newly opened boutique general store on Holden Street offers local and regional products along with a curated selection of gifts, wines and artwork. 
 
"It's just a lot of my favorite makers and small brands that I've, in my mind, collected over the years because I've wanted to do this for I don't even know since forever," owner Hannah Blazejewski said. "I'm trying to keep as much of the product at least local to New England as I can." 
 
The name for the Diving Horse at 26 Holden St. was inspired by one of her favorite movies, "Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken," the story of a girl who joins a diving horse stunt show during the Depression.  
 
Blazejewski found the current space earlier this year before moving back to the county in March. It was formerly North Adams Yoga, so when she moved in she repainted the place and also worked with Outlook Builders to build the shelving and her dream "mousehole" wall.
 
The store showcases local goods from throughout New England, and she described it as a general store and gift boutique built around a personal collection of favorite makers, small brands, and hard-to-find products.
 
Her shop also includes children's items, artwork, stickers, home decor, cheeses, non-perishable items, wines and a selection of Scandinavian candy.
 
She said she hopes to contribute to the local economy, connect with other businesses and artists, and respect the city's history and culture.
 
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