MAY 2023

Welcome back to the Pioneer Valley Progress Report. The region is in full bloom, the Celtics are headed to Game 6, and I hope you are getting ready to enjoy a relaxing Memorial Weekend with friends and family.

We are excited to share another opportunity for local officials to learn about grant funding opportunities at the state and federal level through our collaboration with fellow Western Mass. regional planning agencies (RPAs) and legislative delegation.

Of course, as your RPA, we are not only prioritizing getting our cities and towns the grant information they need to tackle challenges large and small, but furthermore working with our partners in government to make these policies and programs stronger. We just gained a valuable ally in that work with the appointment of Senator Anne Gobi to the position of Director of Rural Affairs - Massachusetts' first!

Below, please find just a sampling of the work we are proudly contributing to as your state-designated regional planning agency!

-Kimberly H. Robinson, Executive Director

Thank you to everyone who were able to join us for our recent workshops with USDA and FEMA. If you missed either one or want to re-watch them, the full recordings are linked below.

If you'd like a copy of either powerpoint, please feel free to email Koby Gardner-Levine in Congressman McGovern's office (koby.gardner-levine@mail.house.gov).

We were thrilled to learn that Massachusetts Senator Anne Gobi of Spencer will serve as the Commonwealth's first ever Director of Rural Affairs.

Sen. Gobi is no stranger to PVPC as she has represented Central and Western Massachusetts for over two decades.

We are so looking forward to partnering with her in this exciting new role as advocate and ombudsman for the Healey-Driscoll administration in our rural communities.