PITTSFIELD, Mass. – The Healey-Driscoll Administration and the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative’s (MassTech) Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) joined local leaders at the Columbia Arms housing development to mark the delivery of high-speed internet across seven public housing properties. The project was supported by the Residential Retrofit and Retrofit Ancillary Grantee (RANGE) programs, two statewide initiatives aimed at expanding digital access and skills training to public and affordable housing residents.
MBI announced $1.65 million to internet service provider AccessPlus in March 2025 to install modern fiber technology and provide residents with income-eligible service plans. The upgrades will improve service at 503 housing units in seven Pittsfield Housing Authority properties – Christopher Arms, Columbia Arms, Dower Square, Francis Plaza, Providence Court, Wahconah Heights and Wilson Park.
“The Healey-Driscoll Administration is ensuring Massachusetts residents not only have access to high-speed internet, but also the tools and support to use it effectively,” said Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley. “These Residential Retrofit and RANGE investments in Pittsfield ensure residents have access to essential infrastructure that can connect them to jobs, education, health care and other critical services.”
“MBI made this investment in Pittsfield because we recognize the importance of expanding access to reliable, high-quality broadband service in the Berkshires,” said MBI Director Michael Baldino. “AccessPlus will provide residents with critical services at an affordable rate and the Pittsfield Housing Authority will leverage digital skills training to help households benefit from reliable, high-speed internet.”
The Pittsfield Housing Authority will leverage $402,750 from the RANGE Program to equip residents with digital skills training in large and small developments. The funds will also support low-income households with access to computer labs, device support, digital navigation services and shared technology resources such as tablets and computers.
“We are proud to partner with MassTech and the Pittsfield Housing Authority to bring new fiber connectivity to these public housing communities,” said AccessPlus Vice President of Sales Chaz Garrity. “Being selected by MBI is an honor, and it reflects our shared commitment to expanding digital access and opportunity for residents across Pittsfield. It has been a pleasure working alongside such dedicated local and state partners to make this initiative a reality.”
“Providing dependable services to our residents is at the heart of everything we do,” said Pittsfield Housing Authority Executive Director Tina Danzy. “This partnership ensures that our communities have access to reliable, affordable internet along with the support needed to use it effectively. We are committed to listening to our residents, responding to their needs, and delivering services that enhance their daily lives.”
The announcement builds on MBI’s ongoing efforts to expand broadband access and digital equity statewide. Through the Residential Retrofit and RANGE Programs, MBI has invested $66.8 million to improve internet infrastructure and provide devices, training and digital navigation services in public and affordable housing developments statewide.
About the Massachusetts Broadband Institute at MassTech
A division of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) is working to extend high-speed internet access and availability across the state. To achieve this, MBI uses state and federal funding to launch infrastructure expansion programs that target areas of the state that lack high-speed internet access as well as digital equity programs that tackle barriers to internet adoption and increase availability, addressing critical issues around affordability, enhanced public Wi-Fi, the need for internet-enabled devices, and digital literacy training. Learn more at broadband.masstech.org.
###