DECEMBER 2018
Welcome to December's Pioneer Valley Progress Report! It's been another busy month here at the planning commission, where we've been advocating for, and helping local communities implement programs and policies that make our quality of life better.
 
This month we were excited to see the Commonwealth's East-West Passenger Rail Study group start in earnest on their 12- to 15-month effort, just as we also reflect on the successes big and small of ValleyBike Share's inaugural season on the streets of the Valley.

We're also just weeks away from the launch of our newest, most user-friendly, publicly available and free regional data portal - developed in partnership with our area's major foundations - and are preparing a data gameshow and pie party at Holyoke Community College's Culinary Arts Institute to celebrate the occasion. 
 
We are so excited to present some of our best accomplishments over the last month on behalf of the 43 cities and towns of Hampden and Hampshire counties.
 
-Team Pioneer Valley Planning Commission
Getting to Work on East-West Rail

PVPC Executive Director Tim Brennan joined his 32 fellow East-West Passenger Rail Study Group members this month to formally begin the process that will ultimately inform the Commonwealth of our options and the price tags associated with each. 

Joined by mayors, lawmakers, Baker Administration leaders, and the business and civic community, this is a serious group of folks seeking serious answers. 
Making our Region's Data Easy as Pie!

Please join the Community Foundation of Western MA, the Irene E. and George A. Davis Foundation, MassMutual Foundation, Beveridge Family Foundation, and PVPC for "Know Your Valley: A Data Gameshow" to celebrate the launch of the new and improved Pioneer Valley Data  website!

We'll be showcasing this interactive, accessible, and local online data portal as it goes live on January 10th, 2019. Cheer on your favorite local leaders as they participate in a data game show for a chance to win a mini grant for a nonprofit of their choice.

Pie from your favorite local bakeries will be served!
ValleyBike Share Closes Out Beta-Year 

As PVPC Executive Director Tim Brennan notes in a recent Springfield Republic article on the official end of ValleyBike Share's inaugural season, "In the short time since ValleyBike has been in existence residents and visitors of the five founding communities and the University have traveled the equivalent of three and half times around the Earth - something truly worth celebrating as its inaugural season comes to a close."

The bikes will be back on the streets of the Pioneer Valley next spring with the exciting addition of Easthampton, thanks to a state grant secured by Mayor LaChapelle. 
BEE There or BEE Square

The Western Mass Pollinators Network is hosting an event at Smith College, January 15th aimed at educating municipal officials and large landholding institutions on more sustainable practices with many benefits like  reduced environmental harm, increased ecological functioning, more seasonal interest, and resiliency to climate changes. 

Tickets are available here. 
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