Business Briefs May 11, 2025: Business news in the Berkshires and beyond

May 11, 2026 - 09:42

The Williams College Museum of Art has announced a major expansion project, adding new gallery spaces and a dedicated education center. The $45 million renovation aims to double the museum's exhibition capacity and create a public courtyard. Construction is set to begin next spring, with a projected completion in 2028.

Beacon Financial Advisors, based in Pittsfield, has acquired a smaller wealth management firm in Lenox. The merger adds roughly 200 client accounts and brings total assets under management to over $1.2 billion. Beacon's CEO cited a need for stronger retirement planning services in the southern Berkshires as a key driver of the deal.

The Berkshire Workforce Board released its quarterly labor report, showing a slight uptick in regional employment. Hospitality and healthcare sectors added the most jobs, while retail remained flat. The board also launched a new training program for certified nursing assistants, offering free tuition to 50 participants.

Literacy Network of the Berkshires received a $150,000 grant from a local foundation to expand its adult English classes. The program, which serves over 300 students annually, will add evening sessions in North Adams and Great Barrington. Organizers say demand has doubled since 2020, driven largely by new immigrant families.

In other news, a downtown North Adams coffee shop closed after five years, citing rising rent and staffing shortages. The owner plans to reopen a smaller pop-up location later this summer.