Three years ago(ish), I walked into a conference room at Bulkley, Richardson and Gelinas for a Valley Venture Mentors Meeting. I couldn't tell you how I wound-up there, but I’m glad I did. Back then VVM (what the cool kids call it), consisted of 20 or so mentors helping early stage entrepreneurs grow their business. The mentorship model hasn't changed much, but VVM has gone through an amazing transformation.
Plan for Progress

The new 2015 Plan for Progress is the region's economic development strategy, setting forth a broad vision of "A strong, innovative, engaging, and vibrant economy and quality of life that fosters prosperity and sustainability and is driven by collaborative leadership."
To achieve this vision, the Plan for Progress has the following four major goals, each of which includes detailed strategies and action steps:
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An Executive Summary of the Plan is also available. To assess progress towards stated goals, a metrics-based accountability system is in place, utilizing critical data to assess economic trends at http://www.stateofthepioneervalley.org/.
For more information or to get involved in Plan for Progress implementation efforts, please email your contact information to LSullivan@pvpc.org.
Documents
PFP_2015_Executive%20Summary_1.pdf

Additional Documents
PFP_2015-Talent-Goal1.pdf

PFP_2015-Business-Goal2.pdf

PFP_2015-Infrastructure-Goal3.pdf

PFP_2015-Collaboration-Goal4.pdf

06_pfp_bk.pdf

2015 Plan for Progress (PFP) Articles
Tonight's WGBY Connecting Point show, hosted by Jim Madigan, addresses the Plan for Progress goals of establishing and growing businesses in the region.
Jim Madigan to Discuss Passenger Rail, Energy Savings for Businesses, and Connecticut River Clean-up
BusinessWest editor George O'Brien interviews Tim Brennan, Executive Director of the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, about the region's new 2015 Plan for Progress. To see article, click the "Read" arrow.
A major focus of the new 2015 Plan for Progress is "to develop and maintain a globally competitive and regionally engaged talent pool." This WGBY Connecting Point video features Jason Irizarry, Director of the UMass/Amherst Institute for Urban Education, Tim Brennan, Executive Director of the Pio