2013 Annual CEDS Report The Pioneer Valley Plan for Progress The Region’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Prepared by Pioneer Valley Planning Commission August 2013 Pioneer Valley Planning Commission and Economic Development District The Pioneer Valley Plan for Progress The Region’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) 2013 Annual Report Prepared by Pioneer Valley Planning Commission 60 Congress Street - Floor 1 Springfield, MA 01104-3419 July 2013 Funding for this project was provided in part through an EDA Section 203 Partnership Planning Grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration Pioneer Valley Planning Commission and Economic Development District Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Annual Report Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................................................................................1 AN ANALYSIS OF REGIONAL ECONOMIC CONDITIONS .............................................................................................5 A SNAPSHOT OF THE PIONEER VALLEY REGION ............................................................................................................................... 5 THE STATE OF THE PIONEER VALLEY REGION .................................................................................................................................. 7 The People ....................................................................................................................................................................................................7 The Economy ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 32 The Infrastructure ................................................................................................................................................................................. 45 Political Infrastructure ....................................................................................................................................................................... 55 ASSESSMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CONDITIONS ............................................................................................................ 59 Weaknesses & External Threats...................................................................................................................................................... 59 Competitive Advantages ..................................................................................................................................................................... 60 Analysis of the Region’s Economic Clusters ............................................................................................................................... 64 Availability of Partners and Resources for Economic Development .............................................................................. 71 A VISION FOR THE PIONEER VALLEY REGION ......................................................................................................... 74 REGIONAL GOALS AND OBJECTIVES ................................................................................................................................................... 74 THE PLAN FOR PROGRESS: CROSS-CUTTING THEMES ................................................................................................................... 75 THE PLAN FOR PROGRESS: STRATEGIC GOALS ................................................................................................................................ 76 INTEGRATION WITH OTHER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLANS ................................................................................................. 77 Choosing to Compete in the 21st Century: An Economic Development Policy and Strategic Plan for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts ................................................................................................................................... 77 A Framework for Action: The State Regional Economic Development Strategy ..................................................... 78 Knowledge Corridor and Franklin Regional Plans for Sustainable Development .................................................. 79 Strategic Planning Initiative of the Economic Development Council (EDC) of Western Massachusetts ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 80 Innovation-Based Economic Development Strategy for Holyoke and the Pioneer Valley Region ................... 81 Rebuild Springfield Plan ..................................................................................................................................................................... 82 MassINC and UMass Dartmouth Urban Initiative: Springfield Economic Growth Initiative ............................. 82 Greater Franklin County Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) ............................................. 84 Regional Employment Boards ......................................................................................................................................................... 85 Other Plans ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 86 PLAN FOR PROGRESS ACCOMPLISHMENTS 2012-2013 AND ACTION PLAN 2013-2014 ......................... 87 STRATEGY UPDATES ............................................................................................................................................................................. 87 Strategy #1: Attract, Retain, and Grow Existing Businesses and Priority Clusters ............................................... 87 Strategy #2: Promote Small Businesses and Generate Flexible Risk Capital............................................................. 92 Strategy #3: Advocate Efficient Regulatory Processes at all Levels of Government .............................................. 96 Strategy #4: Integrate Workforce Development and Business Priorities .................................................................. 97 Strategy #5a: Advance and Enrich Early Education at State and Regional Levels ............................................. 100 Strategy #5b: Improve and Enrich K to 12 Education ...................................................................................................... 104 Strategy #6: Support Higher Education and Retain Graduates ................................................................................... 106 Strategy #7: Recruit and Train a New Generation of Regional Leaders .................................................................. 108 Strategy #8: Market our Region .................................................................................................................................................. 110 Strategy #9: Revitalize the Connecticut River ...................................................................................................................... 113 Strategy #10: Enhance High-Tech and Conventional Infrastructure ........................................................................ 115 Strategy #11: Develop an Array of Housing Options ......................................................................................................... 118 Strategy #12: Endorse a Regional Approach to Public Safety ...................................................................................... 119 Strategy #13: Champion Statewide Fiscal Equity ............................................................................................................... 121 Strategy #14: Develop A Green Regional Economy ............................................................................................................ 122 i Pioneer Valley Planning Commission and Economic Development District Strategy #15: Innovation-Based Economic Development Strategy for Holyoke and the Pioneer Valley Region ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 125 2013 CEDS PROJECTS ..................................................................................................................................................................... 136 The Project Proposal Process ........................................................................................................................................................ 136 Summary of Project Proposals ..................................................................................................................................................... 137 1) Regional High Priority Projects in Locations Meeting EDA Distress Criteria: ................................................. 138 2) Regional High Priority Projects Intended to Serve Areas Meeting EDA Economic Distress Criteria: ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 140 AN EVALUATION OF OUR PERFORMANCE