For Pittsfield native Tim Burke, age 33, the decision to return to the Berkshires with his wife and young daughter was both personal and professional.

The region’s high-quality, approachable way of life held significant appeal for the Burkes, who enjoy the abundant year-round outdoor recreation and family-friendly activities found in Pittsfield and the surrounding towns.

In addition to the personal fulfillment of living in the Berkshires, Burke also saw the potential to use his professional background and expertise to make a sustainable economic impact on the region through investments with existing and emerging businesses that foster economic development and jobs. With the intention of growing the Berkshire economy in mind, Burke and partner Dave Mixer co-founded Mill Town Capital and recently opened Pittsfield’s first co-working hub, Framework.

Burke says both he and Mixer are ‘passionate about the Berkshires’ and are in the business of attracting and retaining businesses to the area that will help improve the quality of life here. Mill Town’s growing portfolio includes both early-stage startups and established firms as well as strong community partner support for local non-profit organizations that are making a difference in the Berkshires.

“There’s much more in the hopper,” says Burke. “It’s early days for development here.”