Building homes, backing businesses: Valley CDC emerges as major force in region

Sept 12, 2025 NORTHAMPTON — From its small headquarters on the first floor of a multistory affordable housing building on Pleasant Street, a small group of employees at the Valley Community Development Corporation, or Valley CDC, are playing an increasingly important role in the arenas of housing and economic development.

The nonprofit, founded 37 years ago, has emerged in recent years as a major player for its work in developing affordable housing and for the assistance it provides to hundreds of existing and fledgling businesses across Hampshire, Hampden and Franklin counties.

In Northampton alone, Valley CDC has provided assistance to more than 80 businesses over the last year, while at the same time moving ahead with development of multiple affordable housing projects. The organization currently owns six properties across the city, with several more developments in the works, including most recently at the 33 King St. property in the heart of downtown that once housed the Hampshire County Registry of Deeds.