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Pirin National Park
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Inscribed in
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)
Spread over an area of over 27,000 ha, at an altitude between 1008 and 2914 m in the Pirin Mountains, southwest Bulgaria, the site comprises diverse limestone mountain landscapes with glacial lakes, waterfalls, caves and predominantly coniferous forests. It was added to the World Heritage List in 1983. The extension now covers an area of around 40,000 ha in the Pirin Mountains, and overlaps with the Pirin National Park, except for two areas developed for tourism (skiing). The dominant part of the extension is high mountain territory over 2000m in altitude, and covered mostly by alpine meadows, rocky screes and summits. © UNESCO
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Summary Overview of the site's Conservation Outlook Read more
Full assessment The complete Conservation Outlook Assessment for this site, with more details on values, threats, protection and management Read more
References The source of information for the Conservation Outlook Assessment See references
2017 Conservation Outlook
Finalised on
Significant concern
Overall, the site has been in a relatively good state of conservation until recently, but disturbance and fragmentation of the site associated with the exclusion of the skiing areas incompatible with World Heritage status (now part of the buffer zone) have been of significant concern. There are new concerns in this regard in connection with the expansion of the tourism zone and the zone of buildings and park/sport facilities (the latter located entirely within the buffer zone of the property) envisaged by the new draft management plan, even though construction of new skiing facilities would only be allowed in the buffer zone. Climate change is expected to have low to moderate impact on species, ecosystem and geological formations. However, concerns are high with regards to potentially increasing pressures on resources required to maintain skiing tourism under the changing climate. The management is relatively effective regarding daily tasks, but not in a position to confront the strong external interests in tourism development. Low levels of funding are an additional constraint.
Current state and trend of VALUES
High Concern
Overall, the site appears to be in a relatively good state of conservation. However, disturbance and fragmentation of the site associated with the exclusion of the skiing areas incompatible with World Heritage status (now part of the buffer zone) is of high concern.
Overall THREATS
High Threat
Some areas of the park, now excluded from the site and included as its buffer zone, have been severely damaged by ski infrastructure development, as was expressed in several World Heritage Committee Decisions. There are new concerns in this regard in connection with the expansion of the tourism zone and the zone of buildings and sport facilities (the latter located entirely within the buffer zone of the property) envisaged by the new draft management plan. Until a Strategic Environmental Assessment and a specific assessment of potential impacts on the OUV of the property of potentially allowed infrastructure expansion is available, concerns remain with regards to potential impacts on the OUV of the property even if infrastructure expansion would only take place in the buffer zone. Other threats like climate change, impact of summer tourism are rather diffuse with limited impact.
Overall PROTECTION and MANAGEMENT
Serious Concern
The management is relatively effective regarding daily tasks, but the power of the Park administration in the face of increasing interest in tourism development and resource use is very limited. The park administration is under severe economic constraints. Ongoing pressures for ski tourism development in the buffer zone of the property remain of concern and concerns have also been expressed by different stakeholders with regards to the draft new management plan.
Full assessment
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Description of values
World Heritage values
A good example of the continuing evolution of flora and an example of high mountain ecosystems in natural condition
The site is a good example of the continuing evolution of flora, as evidenced by a number of endemic and relict species, and the property also protects an example of a functioning ecosystem that is representative of the important natural ecosystems of the Balkan uplands. Pirin's natural coniferous forests include Macedonian Pine and Bosnian Pine, with many old growth trees. Although the forests are affected by some historical use, the natural functioning of the ecosystem ensures the protection of its regionally significant biodiversity values (WHC, 2010).
Mountain scenery of exceptional beauty
The aesthetic values of some parts of the property have been negatively affected by ski infrastructure and these impacts remain (IUCN Consultation 2017), even though those areas have been consequently excluded from the boundaries of the property and included in its buffer zone.
Diverse limestone mountain landscapes
The principal earth science values of the property relate to its glacial geomorphology, demonstrated through a range of features including cirques, deep valleys and over 70 glacial lakes. The mountains of the property show a variety of forms and have been developed in several different rock types (WHC, 2010). Functioning natural processes allow for study of the continued evolution of the landforms of the property, and help to understand other upland areas in the region (UNEP-WCMC 2012).
Other important biodiversity values
Biodiversity of flora and fauna
In total, there are 1,315 species of vascular plants, about one third of Bulgaria's flora, including 86 Balkan endemics, 17 Bulgarian endemics and 18 local endemics. The fauna of Pirin National Park includes 45 mammal species, including brown bear, wolf and pine marten, and 159 bird species. Pirin is also home to eight species of amphibians, eleven species of reptiles and six fish species (WHC 2010).
Current Threats
Some areas of the park, now excluded as buffer zone, have been severely damaged by the development and operation of ski zones; however, these areas are relatively small and limited in comparison with the whole site. Other threats like climate change, impact of summer tourism are rather diffuse with limited impact.
Livestock Farming / Grazing
Inside site
, Scattered(5-15%)
Outside site
Overall, grazing is relatively well managed in Pirin National Park and is only allowed on meadows and pastures located within the Zone for Sustainable Use of Open Areas and in the Tourism Zone. Yearly quotas and permissions are issued by the National Park Directorate and regular inspections are conducted to check compliance with the established regulations. However, some concerns have been expressed regarding eutrophication of lakes due to grazing in their vicinity (Consultation with the State Party, 2017).
Low Threat
Illegal hunting inside and outside of the property has been regularly reported in the past (IUCN Consultation, 2014). However, only a few cases of illegal hunting or carrying of hunting weapons have been detected in the recent years and those detected have been registered and led to relevant proceedings. Regular inspections are also being carried out to detect any illegal activities (Consultation with the State Party, 2017).
Logging/ Wood Harvesting
, Localised(<5%)
Concerns have been expressed about the planned logging activities within the property (UNESCO, 2014) and cases of illegal logging have also been previously reported (UNESCO, 2011). So far timber extraction has been limited to forestry maintenance activities, as commercial logging is forbidden in national parks by the Protected Areas Act. However, vigilance is required in order to ensure that any timber extraction in the future is only done if justified as such maintenance activity, e.g. for safety reasons, and based on a scientific evaluation of potential impacts on the OUV of the property.
Tourism/ Recreation Areas
Development of skiing infrastructure in the Bansko ski area located in the buffer zone of the property has been subject to numerous Decisions by the World Heritage Committee and also led to certain modifications of the original boundaries of the property, specifically when the Bansko and Dobrinishte tourism zones were excluded from the boundaries of the property and included in its buffer zone (World Heritage Committee, 2010). The World Heritage Committee in a number of its Decisions expressed its concern that "the Outstanding Universal Value of the property has been repeatedly and significantly impacted by the development of ski facilities and ski runs" (World Heritage Committee, 2010). While more recent developments within the Bansko ski area mainly related to the maintenance of existing facilities, they included extensive activities such as the extension of the system for artificial snow, the reconstruction of an existing ski surface lift and the reconstruction of a ski lift station (UNESCO, 2016). Concerns have also been expressed by different stakeholders over the fact that the new draft management plan for Pirin National Park would allow extension of areas where tourism infrastructure development is allowed (UNESCO, 2016).
Temperature extremes
, Extent of threat not known
Climate change (particularly changes in snow regime) may affect the caves and karst system as well as endemic species with very limited distribution, but its specific impacts are still difficult to judge. However, concerns are high with regards to potentially increasing pressures on resources required to maintain skiing tourism under the changing climate.
Potential Threats
Very High Threat
The political and economic pressures are very high for mass tourism development and expansion of skiing facilities and other infrastructure, even though expansion of skiing facilities would only be permitted within the buffer zone of the property.
In 2017 the Council of Ministers approved a Decision adopting amendments to the current Management Plan of Pirin National Park which provide for potential expansion of skiing facilities within the buffer zone of the property. While the World Heritage Committee in its Decision 36COM 7B.18 urged the State Party "to ensure, including through provisions in the new Management Plan, that no further areas within the property, outside the already excluded areas, are permitted for ski or other similar high-impact developments" (UNESCO, 2012), in its Decision 37COM 7B.17 it also requested the State Party "to undertake a Strategic Environmental Assessment of the development of the buffer zone, including consultations with stakeholders" and urged it "to ensure that these proposals will not negatively impact the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) and in particular the integrity of the property" (UNESCO, 2013). Until such an SEA and a specific assessment of potential impacts on the OUV of the property of potentially allowed infrastructure expansion is available, concerns remain with regards to potential impacts on the OUV of the property even if infrastructure expansion would only take place in the buffer zone. Furthermore, the new draft Management Plan also provides for expansion of the Tourism Zone within the property and even though construction of skiing facilities cannot be permitted outside the property's buffer zone, potential other development in the expanded tourism zone is of concern.
, Widespread(15-50%)
So far timber extraction has been limited to forestry maintenance activities, as commercial logging is forbidden in national parks by the Protected Areas Act (Consultation with the State Party, 2017). However, vigilance is required in order to ensure that any timber extraction in the future is only done if justified as such maintenance activity, e.g. for safety reasons, and based on a scientific evaluation of potential impacts. It is also noted that the draft management plan introduces a zone called "forests where intervention is allowed through forest management" in addition to the zone called "forests where intervention is allowed in case of fire, natural disasters and calamities". It is unclear whether the introduction of the zone with forest management foresees activities other than those related to maintenance.
Overall assessment of threats
Protection and management
Assessing Protection and Management
Relationships with local people
Some Concern
According to the State Party (2014), the relationship of Pirin National Park with local inhabitants and local communities is "Fair". However, pressures for further economic development of the area and expansion of tourism infrastructure and facilities continue, as reported in a number of State of Conservation reports over the recent years, and part of civil society have been expressing strong concerns regarding the management of the property, particularly the new draft management plan.
According to the State Party, legal framework for the maintenance of the Outstanding Universal Value of the World Heritage property provides an adequate basis for effective management and protection (State Party of Bulgaria, 2014). On paper, Pirin National Park has the highest level of protection at national (as a national park corresponding to IUCN PA management category II) and European levels (Natura 2000 site under the Birds and the Habitats Directives). However, recent developments have shown that there are some differences in the interpretation of this legal framework, as becomes clear from an ongoing Court case related to the proposed new draft Management Plan for the property which has been appealed by a group of civil society organizations. This is why this management aspect is of "Some Concern".
Numerous violations of Pirin National Park's regime have been reported. This indicates a lack of capacity to enforce the legal requirements for the park's protection (IUCN Consultation 2017b). However, a number of activities have recently been undertaken, including regular inspections, to detect and prevent any illegal activities, particularly illegal hunting.
Integration into regional and national planning systems
The park is well integrated into the PA system; and is part of Natura 2000 network (IUCN Consultation 2017b). However, according to the State Party (2014), coordination between the range of administrative bodies / levels involved in the management of the property could be improved. It is also of concern that the development of spatial plans and tourism development planning of the Bansko and Dobrinishte ski zones under the newly drafted management plan may not be in line with the integrity of the property (IUCN Consultation, 2017). Increasing developments in the buffer zone and immediate vicinity of the property may compromise landscape connectivity.
In the past, the management system of Pirin National Park was considered relatively effective, clear, and stable if rather limited in terms of available resources. However, recently concerns have been expressed that the newly drafted management plan for the site would set out a management regime that – if indeed improved and implemented – may result in a level of tourism development that could threaten the integrity of the property (IUCN Consultation 2017). However, the draft new management plan has been appealed in Court by a group of civil society organizations.
At the time of the most recent Periodic Reporting, the State Party considered that the management regime was fully adequate to maintain the property's Outstanding Universal Value, and is being implemented fully (State Party of Bulgaria, 2014). However, there are concerns about the enforcement of the protection regime of the property (IUCN Consultation 2017).
Implementation of Committee decisions and recommendations
The most recent Decision 40 COM 7B.93 (WHC 2016) included a number of requests with regards to the draft management plan for the property, including a request that ".. the draft Management Plan is revised to comply with the requirements set out by the Ministry of Environment and Water..". In March 2017 the Ministry of Environment issued a decision that the plan does not need a Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment (IUCN Consultation, 2017). After protests of concerned stakeholders, the issue is now disputed in court. (Stakeholder consultation October 2017).
At the time of the most recent Periodic Reporting in 2014, the State Party considered that the boundaries of Pirin National Park were adequate but poorly known, while its buffer zone did not limit the ability to maintain the property's Outstanding Universal Value but could be improved (State Party of Bulgaria, 2014). When Pirin NP was inscribed, the boundaries of the WHS did not follow an ecological rationale and hence created a rather fragmented property. In 2009, the Committee approved the extension of the property and the establishment of a buffer zone. The same decision, excluded the Bansko and Dobrenishte tourism zones (1,078.23 ha) and included these in a new buffer zone (World Heritage Committee, 2011). A GPS-based demarcation of the boundaries of the property was conducted as part of the project "Sustainable Management of Pirin National Park" (Ministry of Environment and Water 2015).
At the time of the most recent Periodic Reporting, the State Party noted that the funding was adequate but could be further improved; the funding was sourced from the State Budget and project funds to equal parts (State Party of Bulgaria, 2014). However, up-to-date funding figures or a financial needs assessment are not available for Pirin National Park, which is why this management aspect is assessed as data deficient.
According to the State Party, human resources at Pirin National Park are below optimum to manage the World Heritage Property; availability of qualified staff was considered "fair", and that of staff training opportunities as medium, in most categories (State Party of Bulgaria, 2014).
Sustainable use
While the State Party considers that there is some flow of economic benefits to local communities (State Party of Bulgaria, 2014), it appears that most current uses of the area, particularly for tourism and particularly for skiing, are not sustainable; at the same time, little appears to be done to foster other, truly sustainable uses.
Education and interpretation programs
According to the State Party, there is a planned education and awareness programme but it only partly meets the needs and could be improved (State Party of Bulgaria, 2014). Limited education and interpretation programmes exist near Bansko, where a small visitor centre is operating. One area of concern is the awareness and understanding of the National Park and World Heritage site among local businesses, which has been characterized as poor by the State Party (2014).
Tourism and visitation management
According to the State Party, there is an excellent visitor centre, an adequate site museum, as well as excellent guided tours, visitor trails and information materials available for visitors. There is management of the slowly increasing number of visitors but it could be improved (State Party, 2014). Therefore, management of nature-based sustainable tourism within the property can be considered effective. However, if the current scale and the likely increase in winter use by visitors and the associated infrastructure needs in the property's buffer zone are considered, then there are serious concerns about this management aspect.
The monitoring system of Pirin National Park is comprehensive, integrated and relevant to management needs and / or improving understanding of its Outstanding Universal Value (State Party of Bulgaria, 2014).
According to the State Party, knowledge about the values of the World Heritage property is sufficient for most key areas but there are gaps. It was stated that there was a comprehensive, integrated programme of research, but no further details about research papers and other outputs produced as a result of it were provided (State Party of Bulgaria, 2014).
Overall assessment of protection and management
Assessment of the effectiveness of protection and management in addressing threats outside the site
Intensive urban development in the major towns (Bansko, Razlog, GoceDeltchev) and only limited power of the National Park to manage these threats are of concern.
State and trend of values
Assessing the current state and trend of values
Deteriorating
Overall, the current state of values is good (IUCN 2011), with limited impact from visitors. However, disturbance and fragmentation of the site associated with the exclusion of the skiing areas (now part of the buffer zone) is of high concern. Data from the draft management plan show that important elements of the ecosystems of the Balkan uplands, such as large carnivores and characteristic bird species, are disturbed by the high human pressure in the ski zones; part of the plan states that "after extension of the ski zone above the town of Bansko, the area marks a significant reduction of the numbers of bird species with high conservation status such as three-toed and white-backed woodpecker, capercaillie, Tengmalm's Owl". ... "Data on the numbers of the capercaillies from 20 years ago indicate about 220 individuals. The last 10 years its numbers dropped from 190 to about a 100 individuals". (IUCN Consultation 2017).
Low Concern
Soil erosion in skiing areas and modification of the water regime, have been previously reported; however, overall the geological values of the property remain stable.
Summary of values
Assessment of the current state and trend of World Heritage values
Assessment of the current state and trend of other important biodiversity values
The biodiversity of flora and fauna is in the same current state as that of the ecosystems to which it contributes, and shows the same trend.
Understanding benefits
Commercial wells
The Park area provides drinking water for large populations in lowland areas
Factors negatively affecting provision of this benefit
Impact level - Moderate
Trend - Increasing
Habitat change
Impact level - High
Outdoor recreation and tourism
Large mountain areas with relatively little disturbance
Impact level - Low
Cultural identity and sense of belonging
Pirin National Park provides ample cultural services.
Importance for research,
Contribution to education
The park also is a pilot area for research and education (State Party of Bulgaria, 2014).
The landscapes and ecosystems of Pirin National Park provide a wide range of supporting, provisioning, regulating and cultural ecosystem services, which offer ample benefits to local and national inhabitants as well as international visitors, in terms of water, tourism and recreation, the production and dissemination of art and knowledge, as well as the maintenance of a healthy living environment.
Compilation of active conservation projects
Organization/ individuals
Brief description of Active Projects
1 Balkani Wildlife Society Monitoring of birds and animals
2 WWF Danube Carpathian Programme Advocacy, communication and public awareness raising
3 The Natural History Museum at the Bulgarian Academy of Science Science and monitoring
Compilation of potential site needs
Site need title
Brief description of potential site needs
Support needed for following years
1 Demonstration of successful models for economic development alternative to mass skiing development; enhance the knowledge and use of the UNESCO logo Demonstration of successful models for economic development alternative to mass skiing development; enhance the knowledge and use of the UNESCO logo From: 2018
2 PA Management effectiveness assessment A standard management effectiveness assessment using either appraisal methods such as METT (WWF 2007) or "Enhancing our Heritage" (Hockings et al. 2008) or – better – a systematic analysis using the Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation (CMP 2013) would be a useful basis for further improvement of the management of the site.
3 Monitoring of values, threats and management Implementation of monitoring particularly for World Heritage values and supporting ecosystem values, direct threats and their drivers, and the effectiveness of site management to address them. From: 2018
4 Communication, education and awareness raising activities aimed at local inhabitants, businesses and government The lack of political support to an appropriate protection regime for Pirin National Park reflects a lack of understanding of national but particularly local stakeholders of the Outstanding Universal Value of Pirin National Park. An extensive and well resourced communication effort is necessary (but certainly not sufficient) to help achieve this. From: 2018
1 Conservation Measures Partnership (2013). Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation. Version 3.0 / April 2013. CMP. Accessed on 26 August 2017 at http://cmp-openstandards.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/CMP….
2 Hockings, M., R. James, S. Stolton, N. Dudley, V. Mathur, J. Makombo, J. Courrau, J. Parrish (2008). Enhancing our Heritage Toolkit. Assessing management effectiveness of natural World Heritage sites. Paris: UNESCO. 108 pp. Accessed on 29 August 2017 at http://whc.unesco.org/en/series/23/.
3 IUCN 2011. Report on the Joint World Heritage Centre-IUCN Reactive Monitoring Mission to the Pirin National Park (Bulgaria), 10-14 October 2011. Accessed on 3 September 2017 at http://whc.unesco.org/en/documents/117101/.
4 IUCN 2014. World Heritage Outlook: Pirin National Park, Bulgaria. Accessed on 5 September 2017 at http://www.worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/search-sites/-/wdp…
5 IUCN Consultation 2017a. World Heritage Outlook Consultation form, Respondent 1. World Heritage Site: Pirin National Park. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN.
6 IUCN Consultation 2017b. World Heritage Outlook Consultation form, Respondent 2. World Heritage Site: Pirin National Park. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN.
7 IUCN Evaluation 1987
8 Ministry of Environment and Water (MoEW) 2004: National Park Pirin Management Plan
9 Ministry of Environment and Water 2015. Report on the State of Conservation of Pirin National Park and World Heritage Property. Sofia, November 2015. Accessed on 2 September 2017 at http://whc.unesco.org/en/soc/3470.
10 Ministry of Environment and Water 2017. State of conservation of Pirin National Park and World Heritage Property (WHP). Letter to the Director of the IUCN World Heritage Centre. 7 March 2017.
11 UNEP-WCMC 2012. Pirin National Park. UNEP-WCMC World Heritage Information Sheets. Cambridge (UK): UNEP-WCMC. Accessed on 2 September 2017 at https://www.unep-wcmc.org/resources-and-data/world-heritage….
12 WWF (2007). Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool. Reporting Progress at Protected Area Sites. 2nd edition. Gland (Switzerland): WWF.
13 World Heritage Centre (2010). Nomination of Pirin National Park: Statement of Outstanding Universal Value. Accessed on 4 September 2017 at http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/225.
14 World Heritage Centre (2014). Decision : 38 COM 7B.73, Pirin National Park (Bulgaria) (N 225). Accessed on 5 September 2017 at http://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/6059.
15 World Heritage Centre (2016). Decision : 40 COM 7B.93, Pirin National Park (Bulgaria) (N 225bis). Accessed on 5 September 2017 at http://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/6757.
16 World Heritage Centre 2014. Periodic Report, Bulgaria - Section II-Pirin National Park. Accessed on 29 August 2017 at http://whc.unesco.org/archive/periodicreporting/EUR/cycle02….
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A Local Call
By BusinessWest Staff December 24, 2007 381 No comment
Economic-development Leaders Focus on 'Building Blocks'
Russell Denver says the region needs a comprehensive strategy to close the skills gap that is leaving many positions unfilled at area companies.
Allan Blair calls it the "rush to the green."
That was his way of describing a regional and national thrust toward environmentally friendly technologies, products, and practices that made its presence known in Western Mass. in 2007, in terms of some new businesses and jobs, and may be a harbinger of an economic development niche for Western Mass.
"It's not a tsunami of growth that's going to hit us, certainly," said Blair, director of the Economic Development Council of Western Mass., in reference to this green wave. "But it's a very encouraging segment that happens to have some national momentum around it, some state momentum, and some incentives that are being prepared on the state level to nurture it. And that's exciting because it's new, it's fresh, and we have a chance to grab our share."
These 'green' advances, such as the emergence of SunEthanol, an Amherst-based venture that is trying to revolutionize the production of ethanol through the use of something called the Q-microbe, were some of the highlights of a year that Blair described as mostly "vanilla" from an economic-development standpoint. There were no big "hits," as he called them, in terms of new employers or relocations, but, conversely, there were no big losses, either.
"The economy is chugging along in medium gear," he told BusinessWest, "and given some of the things happening nationally, that's not such a bad thing."
Absent those large hits, the region essentially worked on what Blair called "building blocks," the 'green' movement being just one of them. Others include ongoing efforts to retain and possibly grow the region's precision manufacturing base; maintaining and bolstering the strong health care and higher education sectors; and continued progress in efforts to revitalize Springfield.
There was also considerable movement on what would have to be called the transportation front, with a new direct flight from Bradley International Airport to Amsterdam, and the arrival of low-cost airline Skybus at Westover Municipal Airport. The carrier will soon have two arrivals and departures each day, with flights from and then to Columbus, Ohio and Greensboro, N.C.
Taken together, these building-block-bolstering efforts have provided some momentum for 2008, said Russell Denver, president of the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield. He told BusinessWest that while the national economic picture might be quite fuzzy, and there are several factors that could impact things locally in terms of job growth, new business development, and continued progress in Springfield, he is optimistic about this region and its prospects for the short and long term.
But cautiously so.
He said that perhaps the biggest of those building blocks to improved economic health and well-being is workforce development, and in Greater Springfield, there is much work to be done in this regard. Specifically, the region has to mount an offensive to close the gap between the skills required by area employers and those possessed by most job seekers and the unemployed, and thus fill an alarmingly high number of vacancies and assure prospective new employers that the region can meet their workforce requirements.
"The fact that we have so many jobs available is a good sign, but the fact that we don't have enough qualified individuals to fill these jobs is a real negative; the high drop-out rates that we've seen recently in Springfield and Holyoke, especially, have come home to roost," said Denver, who told BusinessWest that an action plan will be prepared early next year to map a strategy for improving the quality of the region's workforce.
Bill Ward, executive director of the Regional Employment Board of Hampden County, which will draft the report at the request of outgoing Springfield Mayor Charles Ryan, said it will go well beyond drop-out rates and focus on factors — ranging from early childhood education to English as a Second Language; from getting more people into area nursing schools to keeping college graduates in this market — that will eventually yield a better-qualified pool of workers.
"There are some very challenging characteristics to the city of Springfield," he said, "including a high drop-out rate, a low rate of college graduates within the workforce population, low MCAS scores … these are disturbing trends within the workforce and the population that need to be addressed."
Beyond these workforce issues, Denver sees many positive developments, from the emergence of greater fiscal stability in Springfield to the availability of permitted land in the city's Memorial Industrial Park; from continued healthy growth in new small businesses to new opportunities in tourism.
In this, our annual 'Economic Outlook' focus, BusinessWest looks at the prospects for 2008 and beyond, and the issues that will determine if, where, and how growth occurs.
How Green Grows the Valley?
Looking toward the year ahead, Blair acknowledged that the regional and national forecasts are punctuated by question marks and growing concern about a recession. Many of the issues that will determine what happens with the economy — from energy prices to the subprime lending crisis and credit crunch; from soaring construction costs to the strength of the dollar (or lack thereof) — are simply beyond this region's control.
"So we need to focus on the things that we can control," he said, "and to try and be ready when opportunities do arise."
This theme of 'being ready' is a common thread with many of the region's economic-development strategies, said Blair, including workforce quality-improvement efforts, readying parcels like the former York Street Jail and Chapman Valve site in Springfield for development, initiatives to put qualified machinists in the pipeline, and even casino gambling.
"Everyone wants to get in that game," he said, referring to several area communities that have passed referendums supporting casinos or are readying sites for facilities, "and we don't even know what the game is yet."
And it is especially relevant with regard to the 'green' movement, said Ellen Bemben, director of the Regional Technology Council, which is developing a multi-faceted strategy for cultivating a green-related cluster in the Knowledge Corridor.
Scientists and entrepreneurs will need facilities in which to incubate and grow new ventures, she said, and they will need a workforce that can help take ideas from the lab to the workplace. "Some of those just getting started are being urged to relocate to Worcester and Cambridge," she said, noting two of the burgeoning centers for biotech-related businesses, "and we're going to have to work hard to keep those people here in the Valley."
Bemben told BusinessWest that SunEthanol, which has garnered press across the country and is starting to amass needed capital, is easily the most visible of the green-related ventures taking root in the region. The company looks to use the Q-microbe, discovered in the soils off a hiking trail on the Quabbin Reservoir (hence the name) to create ethanol from a wide range of plant materials, rather than corn, thus speeding and facilitating production of the alternative fuel.
But there are many others flying under the radar screen. And they encompass several different components of what is becoming a broad sector, including photovoltaic (solar power) businesses and installations, fuel-cell makers, alternative-fuel providers, and even windpower operations. And there is apparently great interest in further development.
"We're getting so many hits on the EDC's Web site from companies offshore, in Europe, or on the West Coast that want to put something on the ground here, and a lot of it is photovoltaics," she explained. "I've never seen so many inquiries, and there's so many different ways to go in terms of the products necessary for these installations."
Both Bemben and Blair tend to group sustainable energy and biotech developments under the same (green) roof with regard to cluster development and jobs, and Bemben believes there may be anywhere from 3,000 to 5,000 people employed in this sector across Massachsetts and into Northern Conn., with vast potential for more, especially in sustainable energy because of a quicker path from the lab to the production plant.
"If you look at biotech and the number of years it takes to come up with new products and delivery systems," she said, "and compare it to fuel cells, photovoltaics, and biofuels, the latter has a better chance for a quick turnaround."
Blair agreed, but stressed repeatedly that virtually every region of this state and many other areas around the country are trying to get into this game, and the competition will be steep, meaning that the region has to put its best foot forward and be aggressive — and ready.
Especially if Gov. Deval Patrick's plan to pump $1 billion into the biosciences effort is passed by the Legislature — and most believe it will — and $100 million a year will be made available to players in that market for research and development.
"This region has to be positioned to get some of that windfall," said Blair. "As an economic developer, you try to identify trends early, rather than when they're over; this is one that we should be paying attention to, and we will be paying attention to."
Getting to Work
The emerging 'green' cluster is one of many that will need skilled workers, at a time when many already-developed sectors, including health care, precision machining, and financial services, are struggling mightily to fill vacancies.
"I go on the Web sites of major employers once a week to see what they have for job openings," said Denver, referring to the hospitals, colleges, and some major manufacturers in Springfield and across the Valley. "I'm hearing the same thing — there are jobs, just not enough qualified and educated people to fill those jobs."
This trend applies to not only the private sector, but also the public sector, he continued, noting, for example, that area communities have hundreds of openings for teachers every summer, and most struggle to fill them.
"You start to ask the question, 'where are we going to find all these workers?' he said. "'Why are the people we have here now not capable of filling these jobs?'"
Filling existing vacancies and closing the sizable skills gap is of paramount importance to the region and its future, said Ward, and for obvious reasons.
"There's a very real connection between the ability to grow your labor force and your ability to grow your economy," he explained. "If you don't have labor force growth, you can't get economic growth; so we have to grow some of our own, and we have to do a better job with the people we have here."
The workforce plan will identify strategies for doing just that, he said, noting that this will be a collaborative effort involving area employers, economic development agencies, colleges, and other groups. "This will be demand-driven — we'll be focusing on employer needs — and we'll be seeking additional resources, public and private," he said. "And the backbone of this plan must involve across-the-board, new, and better ways to address the adult literacy problem, the English-as-a-second-language problem, and the missing soft skills that employers are complaining about."
When it comes to the precision machining sector, it's hard skills, or the lack thereof, that is dogging those in that industry.
Larry Maier, owner of Peerless Precision in Westfield and president of the local chapter of the National Machine Tooling Assoc. (NMTA), didn't raise his name, but implied that shop owners are feeling a little like Sisyphus pushing that rock. Finding enough qualified machinists is certainly an uphill battle.
A recent survey of area shops revealed vacancy numbers that project to somewhere between 400 and 500 job openings in the region, he said. Meanwhile, with a retirement rate of 3% to 4%, there are another 200 or so vacancies each year, and the six area vocational high schools are graduating perhaps 30 or 40 people a year that are qualified for only entry-level jobs.
All this math provides ample evidence of the challenge facing area shops, most of which are either farming out work it can't handle due to a shortage of workers (Peerless is in this category) or simply turning it down.
"That's 30 in and 200 out — so there's a real disconnect," said Maier. "We're fighting two battles at the same time; first, we need people to replace retirees, and two, we need people so we can stop turning away work; it's retention and growth simultaneously."
There has been some progress made toward putting more bodies in the pipeline, he continued, noting programs involving Springfield Technical Community College, Asnuntuck Community College, and the Mass. Career Development Institute to enhance the training of those already in the field or actively looking to entering it, and the resumption of the Manufacturing Technology program at Putnam Vocational High School in Springfield next month. But the sector must be diligent in pursuit of new avenues for gaining machinists, even if there is a downturn in the economy, because it takes several years for qualified help to come out of the pipeline.
"Take the Putnam program, for example; it will be four years before an entry-level person graduates from it — that's a long time," said Maier. "To get a skilled machinist, one who could replace a retiree, that takes another five to 10 years.
"That's why, when we started this initiative, we said, 'whatever you do, it will take a minimum of five years to really get the spigot flowing,'" he continued. "So anytime you back off because of a downturn in the economy, it's going to take you five years to refill the pipeline."
Courting Growth
Workforce issues comprise one of many challenges still facing Springfield in particular, said Denver, who, like Blair, noted that the city, through the Finance Control Board, has managed to put itself back on more-solid financial footing, and probably has the worst of its public relations problems behind it.
In fact, it has started to pick up some positive press both locally — in the form of a coordinated marketing campaign built around the theme "Springfield's Back" — and nationally, including a large spread in United Airways Magazine that was seen by an estimated 5 million people.
But while the city is seeing progress in some areas, said Denver, considerable work remains to reduce both crime and fear, improve on those aforementioned drop-out rates, and put some abandoned or underutilized parcels — several of them identified in the Urban Land Institute report on Springfield — back to productive use.
The York Street Jail is slated for demolition early next year, he said, and there is considerable interest in the site, including that of an unnamed developer who has forwarded a proposal to build an indoor basketball court complex that will attract youth tournaments and build on the riverfront's basketball- and fitness-related development pattern.
The Chapman Valve plant in Indian Orchard is also slated to be razed soon, said Denver, providing several different development prospects, and a request for qualifications will be issued shortly for 31 Elm St. in Court Square, which could be converted into a hotel or market-rate housing.
The broad goal is to make Springfield a more attractive destination for tourists, professionals, and business owners, said Blair, noting that while many area communities are thriving despite Springfield's recent problems, a healthier City of Homes benefits the region as a whole.
"Springfield is three times larger than any other community in the region — it's the center for a lot of things that are important to us as a region and define our region," he said. "So we need to pay attention to the city, and we have to do everything we can to help it recover."
Airbus can help in this regard, he said, by making the city and its attractions more accessible. The carrier started flying
n and out of Westover in mid-July, and five months later, Blair is still closely monitoring the passenger counts on the inbound and outbound Columbus flights.
"There's been a few dips, but overall, we're still seeing about 100 people on the outbound flights and maybe 130 on the inbounds," he said, noting that the numbers may change following a schedule shift from early evening to midday. Inbound flights now arrive in Chicopee at 11:30 a.m., and the outbound departs an hour later.
"Some people like the change, and other people don't," said Blair, noting that some business travelers preferred getting in to Columbus at night, giving them a full day in the city the next day, while others like getting into Ohio earlier in the day and perhaps catching a connecting flight to another destination.
Monitoring passenger volume is a big part of the effort to gauge the economic impact of Skybus, said Blair, noting that the service is providing a boost to several tourism- and hospitality-related businesses. It is hoped that the airline — and continued improvements to Springfield's image and finances — will bolster the tourist sector and bring more business to the MassMutual Convention Center.
"The arena is doing great, but the convention business is still rather anemic," he said of the two-year-old facility. "There's a lot of competition for those conventions, and we're in there slugging it out. It takes some time to become a player in the market, and we'll get there because this area has a lot to offer."
Overall, Blair said he believes Springfield, despite some lingering concerns about education and public safety, has turned some kind of corner.
"I have a feeling of empowerment in Springfield that I didn't sense two years ago," he said. "I feel optimistic, and I think we all need to be optimistic — realistic, but optimistic."
Riding a Cycle
Returning to the subject of the national economy and its impact on the Pioneer Valley, Blair said that even in down times there is "movement," meaning job growth in the form of new ventures and relocations.
"Looking back, I'd say that some of our better years have come during down cycles," he said, citing some large-scale developments in the early '90s, at the height of that recession, and others in the mid-'80s, during another downturn.
If history can repeat itself, maybe the region can enjoy a more exotic flavor when it comes to economic development. Perhaps pistachio — it's green.
George O'Brien can be reached at[email protected]
Tags: Construction Education Employment Health Care Manufacturing
Charting Progress
Manager-employee Engagement Tips
By BusinessWest Staff December 6, 2017
Comfort and Dignity
By BusinessWest Staff December 11, 2006
By BusinessWest Staff October 23, 2012


Poll appears to reflect partisan viewing
46 percent of speech watchers choose 'very positive' response
Interactive: Poll highlights
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(CNN) -- A CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll of Americans who watched President Bush's Iraq speech Tuesday night showed that 46 percent had a "very positive" reaction to what they heard.
The poll was taken immediately after the speech, and the 323 adults interviewed were 50 percent Republican, 23 percent Democratic and 27 percent independent. The margin of error was plus or minus 6 percentage points.
Another 28 percent said they were "somewhat positive" about what they heard, and 26 percent said they had a "negative" reaction.
"It's difficult to tell from these poll results how the speech will affect general U.S. public," said CNN polling director Keating Holland.
"Many Americans did not watch the speech. Those who did were 2-to-1 Republican, so most were arguably already in the president's camp."
The percentage of those with a "very positive" reaction was down from the 60 percent expressing the same sentiment in a similar poll taken immediately after Bush's State of the Union speech in February.
The figure also was down from the 67 percent in a similar poll who responded that way to the president's "mission accomplished" speech May 1, 2003 -- two months after the war began.
That was the speech -- delivered under a banner reading "Mission Accomplished" on the deck of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln -- in which Bush declared, "Major combat operations in Iraq have ended."
Since that speech, 1,601 U.S. troops have died in Iraq, according to the Pentagon, and as of Tuesday the overall total stood at 1,741.
All three polls were taken immediately after each speech and interviewed only those who watched the delivery.
Tuesday night's poll comes the day after a much larger CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll reported just 40 percent of those responding said they approved of Bush's handling of the war and that 58 percent said they disapproved. (Full story)
The same survey also found that 53 percent of respondents said they disapproved of Bush's performance in general, the highest level of his presidency, compared to 45 percent who approved. (Full story)
Respondents in Tuesday night's poll also were asked three follow-up questions to ones put to them June 24-27.
Bush picked up some apparent support on the question of who is winning the war -- the U.S.-led coalition or the insurgents. Before the speech, 44 percent saw the United States winning; afterward that increased to 54 percent.
The president likewise picked up some support on the question of whether he has a clear plan in Iraq -- going from a 56 percent positive response before the speech to 63 percent afterward.
Bush was adamant that it would be wrong to set a timetable for withdrawing troops in Iraq, and a majority of poll respondents seemed to agree.
On the question of whether it would be better to announce a timetable or to keep troops in the country until conditions improve even if that took years, 70 percent said they would prefer the latter. That compares with 58 percent who expressed that view before the speech.
Bush has long argued that the Iraq war is crucial to the greater war on terrorism, but that position did not fare well in the poll compared to two years ago.
Respondents were asked whether the Iraq war had made U.S. efforts against terrorism easier, tougher or made no difference.
In a similar poll immediately after Bush's "mission accomplished" speech, 75 percent of respondents said the Iraq war had made things easier in the war on terrorism.
In Tuesday's poll, only 45 percent agreed with that view, and 37 percent said the war had made the greater terrorism effort tougher, up from 11 percent in the May 2003 poll.
Fourteen percent said the Iraq war has made no difference in the war on terrorism, down from 23 percent in the previous poll.
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Walther CREED pistol
Heckler & Koch's new VP series pistols
Smith & Wesson M&P M2.0 Pistol
Home / Pistols / Smith & Wesson / Smith & Wesson M&P M2.0 Pistol
SHOT Show 2017 - Smith & Wesson announced the debut of the S&W M&P M2.0 pistol, the latest innovation from the iconic firearms company
Smith & Wesson introduced the second generation of the M&P striker-fired pistols at the SHOT Show!
Designed for personal, sporting, and professional use, the M&P M2.0 pistol delivers an entirely new platform, introducing innovative features in nearly every aspect of the pistol, including the trigger, grip, frame, and finish.
The M&P M2.0 pistols represent a remarkable step forward in Smith & Wesson's product line
James Debney, President and CEO of American Outdoor Brands Corporation, the parent company of Smith & Wesson Corp., said, "When we launched the first M&P polymer pistols over 10 years ago, they were a game changer for the company.
Since that time, we have clearly established M&P as a leading firearm brand and built an incredibly strong family of products around it, including the market leading M&P Shield® pistols.
Now, with a decade of experience under our belts, we are very excited and proud to reveal our next generation M&P pistol – the M&P M2.0. We expect this completely new product platform to clearly differentiate us from the competition and take significant share in the handgun market.
We are now launching the 9mm, 40S&W and .45 Auto versions of our full-size design, but stay tuned for multiple new product additions and line extensions in 2017 that will establish a completely new family based on this platform. This is a key strategic milestone in achieving our vision for the Firearms Division, which is 'To be the leading firearms manufacturer'."
VIDEO / Smith & Wesson M&P® M2.0™ Pistol
Matt Buckingham, President of the Firearms Division, said, "Our goal is to continually strengthen and grow our leadership position in firearms by meeting and then exceeding the needs, wants, and desires of the consumer.
With this goal always in our minds, the new product development team at Smith & Wesson tapped into more than a decade of M&P experience, performance data, and candid feedback from professional users when designing the M&P M2.0 Pistol – and it shows.
When you pick up this pistol, the first thing you'll notice is an extraordinary grip that feels great in the hand – and that's just the beginning.
From the grip, to the new aggressive texture, to the crisp trigger and audible reset, this pistol feels and fires like a next-generation model should – and more.
This is clearly one of the most advanced production pistols on the market today, and we believe it is the pistol that consumers have been waiting for.
The M&P M2.0 in 9mm and 40 caliber versions is in stock at our distributor partners and is shipping today."
Highlights of the M&P M2.0 pistol include an extended stainless-steel chassis and high grip to barrel bore axis ratio for reduced muzzle rise and faster aim recovery.
The M&P M2.0 pistol further improves performance with a fine-tuned, crisper trigger, lighter pull, and a tactile and audible reset.
The pistol, available in three calibers, includes an aggressively-textured grip and four interchangeable palmswell inserts for optimal hand-fit and trigger reach. The M&P M2.0 is an ideal pistol for all shooters in all conditions.
Superior Ergonomic Design
M&P pistol's optimal 18-degree grip angle, providing a natural point of aim
M&P pistol high grip-to-barrel bore axis – more comfortable to shoot, faster aim recovery
Four interchangeable dimensional palmswell grips for best-in-class fit: S,M,ML,L
New aggressive M2.0 textured grip for enhanced control
New front cocking serrations
New M2.0 crisp trigger with lighter trigger pull
Tactile and audible trigger reset
Accurate 1 in 10" twist 9mm and 40S&W, and 1 in 15" twist .45 Auto M&P M2.0 barrels
Extended rigid embedded stainless steel chassis to reduce flex and torque when firing
Tactical white 3-dot steel sights for quick target acquisition
Superior Controls
Ambidextrous slide stop, reversible magazine release, and optional ambidextrous thumb safety
Simple M&P take-down lever, for easy disassembly and maintenance
M&P pistol sear deactivation lever – safe take-down without having to pull the trigger
Armornite® - hardened nitride durable corrosion resistant finish on barrel and slide
Cerakote® FDE finish over Armornite® on Flat Dark Earth M2.0 slides
The M&P M2.0 pistol base model is priced within reach, at an MSRP of $599. It is available in the three most popular pistol calibers: 9mm, 40S&W and .45 Auto.
The striker-fire, semi-automatic polymer pistol is available in matte black or FDE – Flat Dark Earth – finishes and includes two magazines, a limited lifetime warranty, and a lifetime service policy.
To see the M&P M2.0 pistol in action, please visit https://www.smith-wesson.com/brands/mp
For more information on Smith & Wesson's M&P family of products, including the new M&P M2.0 pistols, please visit www.smith-wesson.com
Smith & Wesson M&P M2.0 Pistol - Specifications
M&P M2.0
Semi-automatic striker-fired pistol
9x19mm, .40 Smith & Wesson, .45 Auto
– 17+1 (9x19mm)
– 15+1 (.40 S&W)
– 10+1 (.45 ACP)
– 10 (for hi-cap mag ban markets)
– 10,8 cm / 4.¼" (9x19mm, .40 S&W)
– 11,7 cm / 4.6" (.45 ACP)
– 12,7 cm / 5" (Longslide variants)
White-dot dovetailed steel front sight, two-dots dovetailed steel rear sight
– 18,79 cm / 7.4" (9x19mm, .40 S&W)
– 20 cm / 7.9" (.45 ACP)
– 21 cm / 8.3" (Longslide variants)
Weight (empty)
– 700,2 g / 24.7 oz (9x19mm)
– 734,3 g / 25.9 oz (.40 S&W)
– 765,4 g / 27 oz (.45 ACP)
– 762,6 g / 26.9 oz (9x19mm - Longslide)
– 776,8 g / 25.9 oz (.40 S&W - Longslide)
$ 599 (U.S.)
TBA (International)


Did car-sharing firm hack suspect enter an open door?
By	Sam Varghese
A hue and cry has been raised after a security researcher was found to have breached a car-sharing firm's website and used some of the cars on offer without paying.
Websites have been falling over themselves to name the man, and to write reams about this "hacker" who appears to have done nothing more than walk through an open front door and sample some of the wares in the house.
For those who have not heard of the case, the NSW Cyber Crime Squad announced triumphantly on Wednesday that it had caught and charged a man "who allegedly gained unauthorised access to a company's database and stole cars".
In fact, the man never actually stole any cars. He used a few cars belonging to others on offer from the car-sharing service for transporting himself around.
Of course, some may classify that as stealing because he didn't pay for the service, but billed it to others.
However, the self-congratulatory NSW Cyber Crime Squad did not question why the company had not bothered to encrypt data that the public submitted to the site. That is the 101 of running an online business.
GoGet's nominated media spokesperson Jonathan Englert did not respond to a query from iTWire asking why the company had not bothered to offer users basic encryption.
Given that the GoGet site is hosted by Amazon, the possibility that the data was lying unsecured in an Amazon S3 bucket exists and that the so-called "hacker" had to do nothing to access the data, apart from find it on the Web.
Dozens of such finds have been made by the security firm UpGuard – iTWire has reported on many of them.
But Englert was mum when asked about this too.
On the GoGet Web page set up after the arrest of the "hacker" was announced, there was no mention of why it had taken the company more than six months to inform the public not to submit data to the site which may have had more ways of being accessed than had been used by the suspect.
But then the NSW Cyber Crime Squad did not ask this question either.
From what has been reported, breathlessly, the researcher appears to have some nous about infosec, and has provided information about other vulnerabilities in the past.
There is an acute shortage of good security professionals at the moment and people like this man are a much-needed quantity.
But given the way the media and the NSW Police are seemingly bent on demonising him over what could well turn out to be a very simple breach, one doubts that he will be given a fair hearing.
Instead the reaction — as in the case of the teenager who pointed out flaws in the Public Transport Victoria website, only to be muzzled by authority — is well over the top.
The GoGet breach suspect does not appear to be a hardened criminal, but rather someone down on his luck who was tempted when he saw a lure and succumbed. Ask him to pay the $3500-odd in damages which he spent. And then he should be let off with a bond for good behaviour and one of the country's cyber security outfits would do well to snap him up as fast as possible.
Overly-zealous law enforcement officials and businessmen who don't take basic precautions when they go online should not be allowed to make him a scapegoat.
Published in Open Sauce
GoGet
NSW Cyber Crime Squad
Jonathan Englert
Sam Varghese has been writing for iTWire since 2006, a year after the site came into existence. For nearly a decade thereafter, he wrote mostly about free and open source software, based on his own use of this genre of software. Since May 2016, he has been writing across many areas of technology. He has been a journalist for nearly 40 years in India (Indian Express and Deccan Herald), the UAE (Khaleej Times) and Australia (Daily Commercial News (now defunct) and The Age). His personal blog is titled Irregular Expression.
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