Governor Deval Patrick has been criss-crossing the Bay State this week. On Thursday, he was in North Adams for a big economic announcement. Our Kaitlyn Ross has the details.

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. -- It's certainly huge news for Berkshire County as Governor Deval Patrick announced $40.4 million for local communities.

Seventy-five communities in Massachusetts will be receiving the funds as part of the Massachusetts Recovery Plan.

The governor was at the Memorial Ice Rink in North Adams to announce the plan. The money is to be used to fund infrastructure upgrade projects, boost social services, and increase housing, business and economic development opportunities throughout the state.

The funding is expected to help meet the needs of low and moderate income families and will be awarded to cities and towns in the state with populations under 50,000.

Governor Patrick said, "I think the point that I've been making and the mayor and the representatives are making is that we not afford to not to make these investments today. They create jobs right now. They put people to work right now. But they also build an important platform for economic development and improvement of quality of life going forward."

The Berkshires are slated to receive a little more than $2.5 million.

Adams will receive more than $884,000 for storefront improvements, repairs to the Summer Street sidewalks, and drainage.

Lee will get more than $231,000 for infrastructure repairs and upgrades at the elderly housing authority property.

North Adams will receive $750,000 for a skating rink rehabilitation project and to rehabilitate the armory building. North Adams will also receive more than $50,000 as part of the stimulus package for exterior rehabilitation and window replacement at the housing authority property.

Sheffield will receive more than $799,000 for construction of a senior center.

The maximum amount any one community can receive is $900,000.