Labor Market Trends in the Pioneer Valley Region November 2012

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Labor Market Trends in the Pioneer Valley Region November 2012 Labor Market Trends in the Pioneer Valley Region November 2012 A joint project of the Commonwealth Corporation and New England Public Policy Center of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston NEW ENGLAND PUBLIC POLICY CENTER at COMMONWEALTH CORPORATION THE FEDERAL REServe BANK OF BOSton The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston has a decades-long tradi- Commonwealth Corporation strengthens the skills of Massachu- tion of supporting the New England public policy community. setts youth and adults by investing in innovative partnerships In 2005, the Bank established the New England Public Policy with industry, education, and workforce organizations. We seek Center to reinvigorate and institutionalize that support. to meet the immediate and emerging needs of businesses and workers so they can thrive in our dynamic economy. The Center promotes better public policy in New England by conducting and disseminating objective, high-quality research Through its work, Commonwealth Corporation is known for and analysis of strategically identified regional economic and its expertise in: meeting the needs of workers and businesses; policy issues and, when appropriate, works with regional and developing nationally recognized and innovative programming; Bank partners to advance identified policy options. creating multiple education and employment pathways for teens and young adults to succeed; and building the Commonwealth’s The Center’s research investigates policy issues that are important workforce development capacity. to New England’s economy, focusing in two primary areas: demographic and labor markets trends and state and local public Commonwealth Corporation is a quasi-public organization with- finance. For more information about the Center, visit our website, in the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development. www.bostonfed.org/neppc. For more information about Commonwealth Corporation, visit our website, www.commcorp.org. This profile was developed by Robert Clifford, a policy analyst at the New England Public Policy Center. TABLE OF CONTENTS OVERVIEW SECTION ll: Measuring Labor Demand—Employment Trends of Jobs and Workers in Pioneer Valley 3 Executive Summary 21 Employment Trends 5 Geography of the Regional Labor Markets 22 Demographic Characteristics of the Population Employed 6 Pioneer Valley Region in Pioneer Valley 7 Employment Trends and Recessions 23 Distribution of Employment by Supersector (Q4 2010) SECTION l: Measuring Labor Supply—Demographic 24 Changes in Employment During the Economic Downturn Trends of Residents Who Live in Pioneer Valley by Major Industry: Pioneer Valley 8 Population Growth Trends 25 Changes in Employment During the Economic Downturn 9 Demographic Characteristics of the Resident by Major Industry: Massachusetts Population of Pioneer Valley 26 Industries Driving the Recovery: Pioneer Valley 10 Growth in the Working-Age Population by Nativity Status 27 Industries Driving the Recovery: Massachusetts 11 Growth in the Civilian Labor Force by Nativity Status 28 Educational Attainment of Employees by Major Industry in 12 The Age Profile of the Working-Age Population Pioneer Valley (2008–2010) 13 The Age Profile of the Civilian Labor Force 29 Educational Attainment of Employees by Major Industry in Massachusetts (2008–2010) 14 Educational Attainment of the Working-Age Population 30 Employment by Major Occupation: Pioneer Valley (2008–2010) 15 Educational Attainment of the Civilian Labor Force 31 Employment by Major Occupation: Massachusetts (2008–2010) 16 Educational Attainment by Age Group, Pioneer Valley, 2008–2010 32 Distribution of Occupations Across Supersectors Outside Greater Boston (2008–2010) 17 Unemployment Rate Trends 34 Distribution of Occupations Within Supersectors Outside Greater 18 The Unemployed: Age Distribution (2000 and 2008–2010) Boston (2008–2010) 19 The Unemployed: Educational Attainment (2000 and 36 Educational Attainment of Employees by Major Occupation in 2008–2010) Pioneer Valley (2000) 20 Commuting Patterns of Residents and Workers: Pioneer Valley (2008–2010) TABLE OF CONTENTS 37 Educational Attainment of Employees by Major Occupation 48 Graduation Rates by Type of Degree (2009) in Pioneer Valley (2008–2010) 49 Crossing the Finish Line: Trends in Degree Completions Over 38 Educational Attainment of Employees by Major Occupation the Past Decade (2000–2010) in Massachusetts (2008–2010) 50 Educational Institutions Awarding the Most Degrees in Pioneer 39 Job Vacancies in the Great Recession and Recovery Valley (2010) 40 Job Vacancies and Vacancy Rates by Major Occupation 51 Number of Degree Completions by Degree Type: Pioneer Valley in Pioneer Valley (Q4 2010) (2000–2010) 41 Job Vacancies and Vacancy Rates by Major Occupation 52 Certificates Awarded by Major Field of Study in Massachusetts (Q4 2010) (2000–2010) 42 Comparing Vacancy Rates and Educational Attainment: 53 Annual Completions by Top Five Certificate Majors in Pioneer Peak Labor Market Valley (2000–2010) 43 Comparing Vacancy Rates and Educational Attainment: 54 Associate’s Degrees Awarded by Major Field of Study Recovering Labor Market (2000–2010) SECTION lll: Measuring the Pipeline—Educational Supply 55 Annual Completions by Top Five Associate’s Degree Majors from Post-Secondary Degrees Granted by Institutions in Pioneer Valley (2000–2010) Located in Pioneer Valley 56 Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded by Major Field of Study 44 Growth in Potential Supply of Educated Workers: Full-Time (2000–2010) Enrollment Trends in the Past Decade 57 Annual Completions by Top Five Bachelor’s Degree Majors 45 Number of Full-Time Enrollees by Type of Degree Granting in Pioneer Valley (2000–2010) Institution in Pioneer Valley (2000–2010) 46 Growth in Potential Supply of Educated Workers: Part-Time Enrollment Trends in the Past Decade 47 Number of Part-Time Enrollees by Type of Degree Granting Institution in Pioneer Valley (2000–2010) EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Using the most recent data available, the Pio- The past decade has been challenging for the than the region’s unemployment rate at the be- neer Valley regional labor market profile pro- Pioneer Valley labor market. After two reces- ginning of the decade (3.0 percent). vides a detailed picture of the region’s current sions and a decade of declining employment, and future labor supply.1 For context, it also the region is now gaining jobs and recovering While high unemployment has impacted all provides detailed information on labor de- at a modest pace. Moreover, the recent recov- demographic groups, it has been disproportion- mand in the region over the past decade. This ery from the Great Recession has been some- ally concentrated among the young and those profile is designed to help guide workforce de- what stronger in the region than in the state with lower levels of education. For example, in velopment professionals, policy makers, and as a whole. Pioneer Valley has experienced 2008-2010 over 50 percent of the region’s unem- civic, education, and business leaders as they relatively broad-based improvement, with ployed were 34 years of age or younger, though make decisions about education and training stronger growth than the state in a majority of such individuals accounted for only 32 percent of opportunities. industries, helping to move the region ahead the region’s civilian labor force. Similarly, nearly in the first year of the recovery. 60 percent of those unemployed in Pioneer Val- The charts and analysis are divided into three ley had a High School Degree or less, while only sections: While the unemployment rate in the region was 38 percent of the region’s civilian labor force had nearly the same as the rate statewide through such an education. 1. Labor Supply: Demographic Trends of the first half of the past decade, the impact of Residents Who Live in Pioneer Valley the Great Recession was particularly severe in Massachusetts is one of the most highly edu- Pioneer Valley. The region’s unemployment rate cated states in the nation, but Pioneer Valley’s 2. Labor Demand: Employment Trends of Jobs reached 9.2 percent in 2010, slightly below the residents and workforce (which include people and Workers in Pioneer Valley national rate (9.6 percent) but far exceeding the who commute from other regions and other statewide rate (8.5 percent), making it the third states) have education levels similar to their 3. The Pipeline: Educational Supply of Post- highest rate among all regional labor markets. counterparts in the United States. Over the Secondary Degrees Granted by Institutions This was significantly higher than the region’s past decade, the region has seen progressively Located in Pioneer Valley unemployment rate following the 2001–02 re- higher levels of educational attainment among cession (5.8 percent in 2003) and much higher its residents and workforce, but a High School 1 This profile builds on the work of the 2008 regional labor market profiles completed by Paul Harrington and Neeta Fogg, formerly at Northeastern University’s Center for Labor Market Studies. This work employs their methodology and includes expanded analysis of the educational attainment of the region’s population, more detailed analysis of the distribution of oc- cupations by industry, and reviews of trends over a longer time period. Labor Market Trends in the Pioneer Valley Region www.bostonfed.org/neppc 3 Degree continues to be the most common level ber of younger residents and workers in the sought post-secondary education over the past of educational attainment in the region. In 2008- region with the needed skills to
Recommended publications
  • Ocn952604219-2018-02.Pdf (81.34Kb)
    In This Issue Greetings! Apply for conference This February 2018 issue of MassMobility highlights an exciting scholarships by March 6 national grant awarded to the Pioneer Valley region, new service in PVTA wins national North Reading and extended service in Nantucket, and more news grant about community transportation, human service transportation coordination, and mobility management in Massachusetts. Nantucket announces year-round service In addition, we encourage you to register for this year's conference, which for the first time will be merged with MassDOT's Innovation North Reading launches and Mobility Exchange and will feature topics related to improving Ring and Ride mobility for seniors, people with disabilities, and lower-income Thank you to Michael individuals on April 11. Scholarships to cover the registration fee Muehe are available, but the deadline to apply is fast approaching - details below. Looking for a good read? This newsletter is compiled by MassMobility, an initiative of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services, CTPS offers technical with support from MassDOT. assistance National conference Conference scholarship applications due March 6 comes to Pittsburgh On April 11, join human service agency staff, transportation Who is MassMobility? providers, advocates, and planners for a day of learning about community transportation and networking with peers from all regions Follow us on Twitter of Massachusetts. Sessions will include workshops on rural We want to know your transportation, advocacy, funding, marketing, and engaging stories healthcare organizations, with a plenary session on autonomous vehicles (aka "driverless cars") and their implications for mobility of Quick Links seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income commuters.
    [Show full text]
  • Northampton Community Profiles
    NORTHAMPTON MUNICIPAL OFFICE This vibrant New England city combines a rich, historic tradition with a modern, cosmopolitan flavor. Author John Villani dubbed Northampton the, "#1 Small Arts City Hall Town in America." Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the Downtown 210 Main St. offers boutiques, galleries, entertainment, and restaurants in buildings of architectural Northampton, MA 01060 distinction. Phone: (413) 587-1249 FAX: (413) 587-1275 www.northampton.gov Settled in 1654, Northampton was the site of Jonathan Edwards’ Church, where 18th century “fire and brimstone” Puritanism brought about the Great Awakening. The community has enjoyed a rich cultural and educational history as well. The Baroque LAND AREA and TAX BASE Academy of Music, constructed in 1890, was the venue for such great performers as Pavlova, Sarah Bernhardt and Houdini. In 1871, Smith College was established, the Acres 22,840 very first women’s college in New England. Calvin Coolidge, who was to become Square Miles 36 President of the United States from 1923-1929, practiced law and served as Mayor of the City from 1910-1911. 2008 Vehicle Registrations 26,176 (autos and light trucks) Northampton maintains an attractive mix of industry, retail, culture, service, 2010 education and quality of life which has contributed to its becoming a popular place to Property Tax Rates live and work. The City’s major employers include Smith College, the Cooley Residential $12.64 Dickinson Hospital, the Veterans Medical Center and the Kollmorgan Corporation, a Commercial/Industrial $12.64 manufacturer of optical instruments and lenses. The Daily Hampshire Gazette, a newspaper with a circulation of 21,000 is also located in Northampton.
    [Show full text]
  • Climate Change and Clean Energy
    climate & energy TOOLKIT FOR Climate Change and Clean Energy PIONEER VALLEY SUSTAINABILITY TOOLKIT climate TABLE OF CONTENTS & energy BEST MANAGEMENT Sustainable PRACTICES Landscaping & Tree Preservation Standards Bike Access Standards Tax Incentives for Solar & Clean Energy Carbon Offset & Traffic Signals Impact Fee Complete Streets Transfer of Policy Development Rights Energy Performance for GHG Reduction Scoring Transit Oriented Fuel Efficient Vehicle Development Program Tree Planting and Green Builder Reforestation Programs Trip Reduction Greenhouse Gas Plans Environmental Impact Statements REGIONAL AND Idling Reduction State PROGRAMS Campaign & Program Address Climate Action Goals in Regional Infill Development & Transportation Strategies Adaptive Reuse Integrating Land Use Local Climate Neutral and Transportation Pledges Strategies Methane Capture from Regionalized Landfills Performance Contracting Municipal Climate Action Plans ZONING AND Municipal Renewable REGUlatION Energy Purchase Programs Conservation Zoning Neighborhood Solarize Programs Energy Efficient Building Organic Waste Requirements Composting and Material Reuse Solar Photovoltaic System Zoning Pedestrian Access Solar Access Zoning Retrofit Municipal Buildings Urban Forest Overlay Districts Solar Energy Incentives Wind Energy System Zoning Strategies for Residents & FINANCING Businesses PIONEER VALLEY Clean Energy SUSTAINABILITY TOOLKIT Financing Programs understanding climate Bike Access & energy Standards PURPOSE To reduce vehicle trips and resulting greenhouse gas
    [Show full text]
  • March 28 2018 Compensation Committee Meeting Packet
    NANTUCKET REGIONAL TRANSIT AUTHORITY 20 R South Water Street Nantucket, MA 02554 Phone: 508-325-9571 TTY: 508-325-7516 [email protected] www.nrtawave.com AGENDA FOR THE MEETING OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE of the NRTA ADVISORY BOARD MARCH 28, 2018 10:00 a.m. TOWN HALL CONFERENCE ROOM 16 BROAD STREET NANTUCKET, MASSACHUSETTS OPEN SESSION I. Approval of Minutes of the March 22, 2017 Meeting. II. Evaluate Compensation for Authority Executive per 801 CMR 53.00. NANTUCKET REGIONAL TRANSIT AUTHORITY 20 R South Water Street Nantucket, MA 02554 Phone: 508-325-9571 TTY: 508-325-7516 [email protected] www.nrtawave.com Compensation Committee DRAFT Minutes of the Compensation Committee Meeting of March 22, 2017. The meeting took place in the Community Room of the Nantucket Police Station, 4 Fairgrounds Road, Nantucket, MA 02554. Members of the Board present were: Jim Kelly, Robert DeCosta, Rick Atherton, Matthew Fee, and Dawn Hill Holdgate. Absent: Karenlynn Williams. Chairman Kelly opened the meeting at 6:02 p.m. Approval of Minutes of the March 23, 2016 Meeting. The minutes of the March 23, 2016 meeting were approved by unanimous consent of the Board. Evaluate Compensation for Authority Executive per 801 CMR 53.00. Paula Leary, NRTA Administrator informed the Board that the prior fiscal year salary, benefits and comparison lists of the regional transit authorities have been provided to the Board. As required under 081 CMR 53 the Board is to look at RTA executive positions in comparison to the NRTA Administrator. Paula Leary, NRTA Administrator stated a 5% COLA is being requested.
    [Show full text]
  • Town of West Springfield,Ma Summary of Findings
    TOWN OF WEST SPRINGFIELD, MA May 6, 2020 Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Community Resiliency Building Workshop SUMMARY OF FINDINGS Prepared and Presented by Bill Flaherty, West Springfield Fire Chief Melissa Hensen, West Springfield Conservation Commission Deena Maniscalchi, West Springfield Conservation Commission Allyson Manuel, West Springfield Town Planner Hannah Spare, All Farmers Ed Sullivan, Former Mayor of West Springfield Pioneer Valley Planning Commission This project and the following report were made possible through funding from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs’ Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Grant Program. Cover image courtesy of John Phelan, via Wikimedia Commons. CONTENTS Overview 1 Community Resilience Building Workshop 2 Climate Projections for CT River Basin 2 Top Hazards and Vulnerable Areas 3 Concerns and Challenges Related to Climate Change 4 Current Strengths and Assets 9 Top Recommendations to Improve Resilience 11 Action Implementation Design 23 Workshop Participants 23 Citation 23 Acknowledgements 24 Appendix A: Workshop Base Map 25 Appendix B: Participatory Mapping Results 26 Appendix C: Participant Handouts (CRB Workshop) 27 Appendix D: Post-it Note Exercise Results 29 Appendix E: MVP Workshop Presentation 31 Appendix F: Public Listening Session Presentation 47 Appendix G: Survey Results 54 TOC OVERVIEW The need to increase planning for and implementation of extreme weather resilience and adaptation activities is strikingly evident and the Town of West Springfield is taking note. No stranger to extreme weather events, West Springfield’s emergency response team and residents have learned to expect roadway flooding, downed trees and tree limbs, and extreme heat events on at least a yearly basis. Examples of recent events that disrupted routine activity in the town include: “Snowtober” October freak snow storm (2011) caused extensive power outages.
    [Show full text]
  • Berkshire County Mosquito Control Project Pioneer Valley Mosquito
    Mosquito Control Projects and Districts ¶ AMESBURY SALISBURY MERRIMAC Commonwealth of Massachusetts NEWBURYPORT Northeast Massachusetts WEST NEWBURY HAVERHILL NEWBURY NEWBURY NEWBURY GROVELAND Mosquito Control and CLARKSBURG MONROE METHUEN GEORGETOWN ROWLEY IPSWICH ROWE Wetlands Management District WILLIAMSTOWN LEYDEN LAWRENCE NORTH ADAMS HEATH FLORIDA COLRAIN IPSWICH BERNARDSTON ROYALSTON DRACUT BOXFORD NORTHFIELD WARWICK ASHBY DUNSTABLE NORTH ANDOVER WINCHENDON TOWNSEND PEPPERELL TYNGSBOROUGH IPSWICH ASHBURNHAM ROCKPORT CHARLEMONT ANDOVER ADAMS GILL LOWELL TOPSFIELD GLOUCESTER NEW ASHFORD HAMILTON GREENFIELD ERVING ESSEXGLOUCESTER GROTON SHELBURNE ORANGE TEWKSBURY SAVOY WENHAM HANCOCK BUCKLAND CHELMSFORD MIDDLETON HAWLEY FITCHBURG LUNENBURG MANCHESTER ATHOL GARDNER WESTFORD NORTH READING CHESHIRE DANVERS SHIRLEY BEVERLY East Middlesex TEMPLETON AYER BILLERICA MONTAGUE WENDELL WILMINGTON PHILLIPSTON WESTMINSTER DEVENS LITTLETON READINGLYNNFIELD PEABODY LANESBOROUGH PLAINFIELD ASHFIELD CARLISLE WINDSOR DEERFIELD LEOMINSTER Mosquito Control Project CONWAY SALEM HARVARD BURLINGTON BEDFORD WAKEFIELD MARBLEHEAD DALTON BOXBOROUGH HUBBARDSTON LANCASTER ACTON WOBURN LEVERETT SAUGUS LYNNSWAMPSCOTT CUMMINGTON SUNDERLAND STONEHAM PITTSFIELD PETERSHAM CONCORD NEW SALEM PRINCETON WINCHESTER MELROSE HINSDALE GOSHEN WHATELY LEXINGTON STERLING PERU BOLTON SHUTESBURY MALDEN STOW MAYNARD LINCOLN MEDFORD NAHANT BARRE ARLINGTON REVERE WORTHINGTON MEDFORDEVERETT RICHMOND WILLIAMSBURG CLINTON BELMONT CHELSEA CHESTERFIELD HATFIELD SOMERVILLE Suffolk County
    [Show full text]
  • Bookstores of the Pioneer Valley (PDF)
    Montague, MA Northampton, MA Montague Bookmill – Used Books Bookstores 440 Greenfield Road Booklink Booksellers – New Books & Gifts Montague, MA 01351 150 Main Street 413 – 367 – 9206 of the Thornes Marketplace montaguebookmill.com Northampton, MA 01060 Pioneer Valley 413 – 585 – 9955 booklinkbooks.com Broadside Bookshop – New Books South Deerfield, MA A comprehensive guide 247 Main Street to the largest, most popular Northampton, MA 01060 Schoen Books – Used Judaica independent bookstores, 413 – 586 – 4235 7 Sugarloaf Street broadsidebooks.com South Deerfield, MA 01373 used & new, 413 – 665 – 0066 in western Massachusetts schoenbooks.com and southern Vermont. Gabriel Books – Antiquarian & Scholarly 21 Market Street Northampton, MA 01060 South Hadley, MA 413 – 586 – 5596 The Odyssey Bookshop – New & Used 9 College Street The Old Bookstore – Used Books South Hadley, MA 01075 32 Masonic Street 413 – 534 – 7307 Northampton, MA 01060 odysseybks.com 413 – 586 – 0576 Raven Used Books Academic, Scholarly & More Southampton, MA 4 Old South Street Northampton, MA 01060 Heritage Books – Used Books 413 – 584 – 9868 225 College Highway (Rt. 10) ravenusedbooks.com Southampton, MA 01073 413 – 527 – 6200 heritagebks.com Tim’s Used Books 90 King Street Northampton, MA 01060 413 – 585 – 8585 This publication is created by Kristepher Severy at Raven Used Books. Please copy and distribute! Easthampton, MA Amherst, MA White Square – Fine Books & Art Hadley, MA 86 Cottage Street Easthampton, MA 01027 Amherst Books – Used & New Grey Matter Books – Used Books
    [Show full text]
  • Hampden County HIP Vendor Locations
    Hampden County HIP Vendor Locations Town Retail Location Type Address Phone Operating Hours Agawam Granny's Place Farmstand 844 Main St. Agawam, MA (413) 786-9366 Daily 10am-5pm Brimflield Farmers Market: Farms Parking lot of Hitchcock Academy: Saturdays, 9am-2pm, from April 13- Brimfield accepting HIP include: Flourish Farm, Farmers Market None 2 Brookfield Road, Brimfield, MA October 26 Hunt Road Berry Farm Thursdays 9am-6pm. Call for 59 Tower Hill Road Brimfield Flourish Farm Farmstand (413) 245-9764 availability on Sundays, Mondays & Brimfield, MA Tuesdays 753 Montgomery St. Chicopee, Open 7 days a week, 8am-6pm; Chicopee McKinstry's Market Garden Farmstand (413) 536-2043 MA Holidays, 8am-5pm, May to October Chicopee Farmers Market: Farms accepting HIP include: Pignatares Under I-391 overpass, 745-747 (413) 552-1545 Wednesdays 10am–2pm, from July Chicopee Farmers Market Farm, Summit Farm, Hamilton Chicopee Street, Chicopee, MA x420 10-September 18 Orchards 636 S Westfield St Feeding Hills, Feeding Hills Czerpak Farm Farmstand (413) 786-2332 Call for availability. MA 1131 Springfield Street-Feeding Open 7 days a week, 9am-5pm from Feeding Hills E. Cecchi Farms Farmstand (413) 786-2489 Hills, Agawam, MA April through Mid-October Hampden Senior Center, 104 (978) 422-6050, Wednesdays, 10:30am -11:30am, Hampden D & R Farm CSA Allen Street, Hampden, MA (413) 636-9681 starting in July Open Monday to Saturday, 3pm- (978) 422-6050, Hampden D & R Farm Farmstand 146 Thresher Road Hampden, MA 8pm, year-round. Call for availability (413) 636-9681 on Sundays. Hampden Farmers Market: Farms Saturdays 10am–2pm, from May 18- Hampden accepting HIP include: Pioneer Valley Farmers Market 123 Allen Street Hampden, MA None October 12 Growers Association People’s Bank Headquarters in Holyoke Red Fire Farm CSA Holyoke: 330 Whitney Avenue, (413) 467-7645 Tuesdays, 2-5pm Holyoke, MA Every other Saturday.
    [Show full text]
  • Pioneer Valley Planning Commission 26 Central Street West Springfield
    60 50 40 30 20 10 0 1998 1999 2000 Pioneer Valley Planning Commission 26 Central Street West Springfield. MA 01089 STATE OF THE PIONEER VALLEY REGION: 2001 Prepared by the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission March 2001 State of the Pioneer Valley Region: 2001 ❖ ❖ Pioneer Valley Planning Commission ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Most of our indicators were developed from data provided by state and federal agencies, whose staff members gave us invaluable assistance. We gratefully acknowledge the generous support of these and many other individuals and organizations, with special thanks to the following people: Terence FitzSimons U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards Tony Zaharias Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, Western Region John Crisley Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, Recycling Program Sherry Cardoza Massachusetts State Police, Crime Reporting Unit Dora Brown Massachusetts Department of Revenue, Division of Local Services Zongli Tang Massachusetts Institute for Social and Economic Research (MISER) Rick Wakefield Massachusetts Division of Employment and Training This document was produced by the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission with the support of the Federal Highway Administration, the Federal Transit Administration, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Transportation and Construction, the Massachusetts Highway Department, and the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration, Section 203(a) Program. State of the Pioneer Valley Region: 2001
    [Show full text]
  • West Springfield Report
    TOWN OF WEST SPRINGFIELD, MA May 6, 2020 Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Community Resiliency Building Workshop SUMMARY OF FINDINGS Prepared and Presented by Bill Flaherty, West Springfield Fire Chief Melissa Hensen, West Springfield Conservation Commission Deena Maniscalchi, West Springfield Conservation Commission Allyson Manuel, West Springfield Town Planner Hannah Spare, All Farmers Ed Sullivan, Former Mayor of West Springfield Pioneer Valley Planning Commission This project and the following report were made possible through funding from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs’ Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Grant Program. Cover image courtesy of John Phelan, via Wikimedia Commons. CONTENTS Overview 1 Community Resilience Building Workshop 2 Climate Projections for CT River Basin 2 Top Hazards and Vulnerable Areas 3 Concerns and Challenges Related to Climate Change 4 Current Strengths and Assets 9 Top Recommendations to Improve Resilience 11 Action Implementation Design 23 Workshop Participants 23 Citation 23 Acknowledgements 24 Appendix A: Workshop Base Map 25 Appendix B: Participatory Mapping Results 26 Appendix C: Participant Handouts (CRB Workshop) 27 Appendix D: Post-it Note Exercise Results 29 Appendix E: MVP Workshop Presentation 31 Appendix F: Public Listening Session Presentation 47 Appendix G: Survey Results 54 TOC OVERVIEW The need to increase planning for and implementation of extreme weather resilience and adaptation activities is strikingly evident and the Town of West Springfield is taking note. No stranger to extreme weather events, West Springfield’s emergency response team and residents have learned to expect roadway flooding, downed trees and tree limbs, and extreme heat events on at least a yearly basis. Examples of recent events that disrupted routine activity in the town include: “Snowtober” October freak snow storm (2011) caused extensive power outages.
    [Show full text]
  • Regional Bike Share in the Pioneer Valley
    Regional Bike Share in the Pioneer Valley Feasibility Study Produced by the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission in collaboration with the Bike Share Feasibility Study Advisory Committee and municipalities of Northampton, Amherst, Holyoke and Springfield December 2014 Produced by the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission with guidance from the Bike Share Feasibility Study Advisory Committee December 2014 Table of Contents Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................................................... 1 Section 1: Introduction and Purpose of Study .............................................................................................. 2 Background ........................................................................................................................................... 2 Funding Source and Study Participants ................................................................................................ 2 Advisory Committee ............................................................................................................................. 2 Goals and Objectives ............................................................................................................................. 4 History of Biking in Springfield .............................................................................................................. 6 Section 2: What Is Bike Sharing ? ................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • A Demographic and Economic Analysis of the City of Springfield
    A Demographic and Economic Analysis Of the City of Springfield September 2006 Prepared by: Paul N. Foster Stefanie M. Santaniello Justine Calcina Delania Barbee Kinshasa Fowlkes Regional Information Center Pioneer Valley Planning Commission 26 Central Street West Springfield, MA 01089 A Demographic and Economic Analysis of the City of Springfield Table of Contents Key Findings 3 Introduction 9 Description of the City of Springfield 11 A Brief History of Springfield 13 People in Springfield 15 Demographics 15 Family structure, economics, and education 19 Family incomes 22 Labor force 24 Occupations of Springfield residents 27 Education in Springfield 31 Springfield Public Schools 31 Charter and private schools 45 Higher education 48 Businesses in Springfield 57 Business in Springfield 57 Major employers 63 Real Estate in Springfield 68 Profile of Springfield housing 68 Residential real estate market 74 Residential real estate costs 77 Springfield office space 81 Commercial and industrial real estate market 84 Brownfields revitalization 88 Analyzing Labor Supply and Demand 90 Occupational overview 90 Occupational gaps 93 Analyzing Business Opportunities 98 Industry cluster analysis 98 Business costs 106 Analyzing Peer Cities 114 Population demographics and socio-economics 116 Household economics 121 Labor force 126 Employment and business growth 128 Crime 132 A Note on Sources and Methods 135 Pioneer Valley Planning Commission 2 Regional Information Center A Demographic and Economic Analysis of the City of Springfield Key Findings The purpose of this report is to provide a detailed picture of the current demographic, social, and economic condition of the City of Springfield. It is, in essence, a baseline data report from which plans can be made and goals set.
    [Show full text]