Foster Means of Regional Competitiveness

Number of Pre-Permitted & Shovel-Ready Sites or Buildings within the Region that are ready for Development

Description:

Pre-permitting and shovel-ready designations are made to increase the expediency of development on properties by reducing the amount of work necessary between the purchase of land and the start of construction.  Sites with pre-permitting need only the final site plan review and permitting related to environmental preservation (if applicable).  This process can take up to 90 days to complete.  Sites are designated shovel-ready after all permits have been acquired and a complete build out analysis has been completed.  The only steps still necessary are acquiring a building permit and making minor amendments to prior permits if necessary.  This process takes up to 30 days.  There was an 8.3% increase in the number of sites that were pre-permitted or shovel ready in the Pioneer Valley between 2007 and 2008.  Of the three counties in the Pioneer Valley, only one had a change in the number of pre-permitted sites, Hampden County experienced a 10.0% increase.

Data Source:  WestMass Development Corporation

Indicator Trend Percent Change Rating 8.3%

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Annual Dollar Value of Transportation Improvement Projects Advertised for Bid that Rely on Federal and/or State Financial Resources

Description:

Transportation Improvement Projects included in this value are highway improvement projects identified through the Transportation Improvement Program report by the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission and Franklin Regional Council of Governments, and advertised by Mass Highway.  Between 2007 and 2008, the total value of transportation improvement projects advertised for the Pioneer Valley increased from $38,356,132 to $41,530,689 representing an 8.3% change.  While Franklin County saw a significant increase of 34.3% and Hampden County experienced an increase of 8.8%, Hampshire County had a decrease of 33.1 percent.

Data Source: Pioneer Valley Planning Commission and Franklin Regional Council of Governments

Indicator Trend Percent Change Rating 8.3%

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Access to High Speed Internet Service for Business & Residents

Description:

To measure high speed internet access, municipalities are broken down into three levels of available service which are those where 0% of households have broadband access, towns and cities where 50% or less of households have broadband access, and those places where greater than 50% of households have broadband access. Progress is measured by the number of municipalities that increased their access enough to be categorized at least one level higher. The Pioneer Valley experienced a significant number of municipalities that moved up a level of access from 2007 to 2008 (26.1 percent).  Of the three counties Franklin County had the most municipalities increase at least one level in broadband access (34.6%), while Hampden County has the least amount of increase (13.0 percent).

For a more detailed breakdown of access to high speed internet, click here.

Data Source: Western MA Connect, Inc.

Indicator Trend Percent Change Rating 26.1%

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