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 building.  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.  Between 2006 and 2007, there were no change in the number of  pre-permitted sites or shovel-ready sites located in the Pioneer Valley.  This neutral trend was true for all three counties in the region.

Data Source:  WestMass Development Corporation

Indicator Trend Percent Change Rating 0.0%

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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 2006 and 2007, the total value of transportation improvement projects advertised for the Pioneer Valley decreased from $39,672,448 to $38,356,132 representing a -3.3% change. Trends varied widely throughout the three county areas. While Hampshire and Franklin Counties both had significant increases (13.7% and 8.9% respectively), Hampden County had a decrease of 7.1 percent.

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

Indicator Trend Percent Change Rating -3.3%

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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.  Between 2006 and 2007, 1.4% of the municipalities in the Pioneer Valley moved up a level of access. Of the three counties Hampden had the largest proportion of municipalities increase a level in broadband access (4.3%), while Hampshire and Franklin Counties had no change.

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

Data Source: WesternMA Connect, Inc.

Indicator Trend Percent Change Rating 1.4%

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