The Merrimack Valley Planning Commission (MVPC) and Merrimack Valley Transit (MeVa) recently celebrated significant milestones with a joint anniversary event held at the Merrimack Valley Golf Club on October 17th. MVPC commemorated 65 years of strategic regional planning and development, while MeVa marked 50 years of providing essential transit services to the community. The event honored decades of collaboration, recognizing the contributions of local governments, businesses, and residents, as well as the community leaders who have been instrumental in the region’s growth. The evening was a memorable occasion, filled with reflection on shared accomplishments and the enduring commitment to the Merrimack Valley’s continued progress.
Stratton Lloyd, the President and CEO of Essex County Community Foundation (ECCF), provided the keynote address for the evening and focused on the strong, ongoing collaboration between ECCF, MVPC, and MeVa. He emphasized how these partnerships have been instrumental in addressing critical regional issues such as economic development, infrastructure improvements, and community resilience. Lloyd also highlighted the shared goals between ECCF, MVPC, and MeVa, noting that together they have made significant strides in shaping the future of the region.
In honoring MVPC and MeVa’s long-standing contributions, Lloyd congratulated MVPC on its 65th anniversary and MeVa on its 50th anniversary, praising their decades of dedicated service to the community. He commended both organizations for their leadership in fostering innovation and collaboration, pointing out that their work has had a lasting impact on Essex County and beyond. Lloyd also expressed optimism about continuing these vital partnerships in the years to come.
The evening concluded with special acknowledgements from several esteemed officials, including US Senator Edward Markey, State Senator Bruce Tarr, and State Representative Kristin Kassner, who each provided official recognitions for MVPC and MeVa’s significant contributions to the region. Executive Director Jerrard Whitten brought the evening to a close with his “forward thoughts,” reflecting on the successes of the past and outlining a vision for the future that continues to prioritize innovation, partnership, and progress for the Merrimack Valley.