Our four-county region is unique, with its own mix of strengths, challenges and opportunities that shape life here. At the same time, many trends and hot topics here are common in other parts of the country, especially in rural areas. Our community assessment process produced a set of survey results and themes, as well as new strategic priorities for Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation. Read more below.
Resident Perspectives
Through a dozen focus groups and several online surveys, we heard from over 2,300 people around the region. We asked them about what issues are most important for the future, what challenges they face and what is keeping them here or causing them to consider leaving.
Themes
A set of five interrelated themes emerged from our assessment process. They are: Jobs & the Economy, Demographic Transition, Youth & the Future Workforce, Deepening Inequality and Assets & Infrastructure. We put these themes forward to help document where we are as a region today and to spark further conversation.
Strategic Priorities
Our vision for the future is that all residents have opportunity for economic mobility and a high quality of life. To help us move toward that vision, BTCF will focus its leadership on increasing educational attainment, community engagement and economic opportunity.
