1 rich Libsyn https://www.libsyn.com 90 600 I’ve wanted to interview Ben Lamb for a few years now and he did not disappoint.&amp;nbsp; We spoke on diversifying revenue streams for his organization's regional work and whether the rapid federal funding changes are having an effect.&amp;nbsp; We also spent considerable time on housing challenges and what it could look like using a growing housing sector to improve the regional economy.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; We made an argument against de-populating western MA (in fact,&amp;nbsp; Berkshire county is re-populating) and we took a close look at the state of the region’s micro markets, some behind 2000 units or more and how this presents an opportunity.&amp;nbsp; How codes designed for larger urban areas are limiting factors in a region like the Berkshires and where the biggest opportunities are for developers in sectors like senior living and downtown mixed use.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; What does the current tech and manufacturing sectors look like today 40 years on after the shock of loosing core industries in cities like North Adams and Pittsfield?&amp;nbsp; There is a unique connectedness of rural communities here in New England and we had an opportunity to explore how Berkshire county is taking advantage of that.&amp;nbsp; We hope you enjoy. Are We Here Yet Podcast http://arewehereyetpodcast.libsyn.com/website <iframe title="Libsyn Player" style="border: none" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/37688845/height/90/theme/custom/thumbnail/yes/direction/forward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/88AA3C/" height="90" width="600" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe> https://assets.libsyn.com/secure/content/191696650