On the campaign trail, Governor-elect Healey did not articulate clear strategies for closing stark educational disparities in Massachusetts. Her appointments and statements in the coming weeks will be closely watched for clues on how she will approach these challenging issues. A strong first step would be to depart from her predecessors by acknowledging that increasing
A Gateway Cities Strategy for the Healey–Driscoll Administration
Transition Briefing Memorandum
Governor Healey takes office at a pivotal moment. State government must deploy a deluge of federal resources from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The mandate to leverage this unprecedented investment to combat the commonwealth’s two most existential threats—climate change and rising inequality—has never
Tis’ the season for social infrastructure
The Gateway Cities Journal
A few days after MassINC unveiled a new report on the crucial role of social infrastructure for urban vitality and resilience, Groundwork Lawrence brought the concept to life at its annual Glow Gala. The event took place in Youth Development Organization’s new space at Everett Mills. The historic building spans four blocks along the edge of downtown Lawrence.
Event Recap | 10th Annual Gateway Cities Innovation Institute Awards & Summit
On Tuesday, November 15th, MassINC hosted the 10th Annual Gateway Cities Innovation Institute Awards & Summit. Together with leaders from across the state, we celebrated a decade of Gateway City collaboration, focusing on the theme of social infrastructure. Gateway Hubs director Andre Leroux previewed findings and policy recommendations from a new MassINC report, Social Infrastructure:
Joe Kriesberg joining MassINC as new CEO
For Immediate Release November 10, 2022 Joe Kriesberg to Become President & CEO of MassINC Experienced leader with proven management skills and expertise around creating vibrant communities and nurturing economic vitality to take helm in January BOSTON, MA – Joe Kriesberg has been named the next President and CEO of MassINC, a nonpartisan think
Event Recap | First Annual Friends of Longitudinal Data Systems Fall Symposium
On Thursday, October 27th, MassINC and the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston co-hosted the First Annual Friends of Longitudinal Data Systems Fall Symposium. The Friends of Longitudinal Data Systems (FoLDS) is a new group dedicated to advancing cutting-edge social policy research in Massachusetts. A collection of education advocates, researchers, philanthropic funders, and policymakers, FoLDS elevates
Helping a Gateway City gain admittance to the clean energy pilot
The Gateway Cities Journal
Gateway Cities are home to one out of four Massachusetts residents. In a future where we conserve land and reduce congestion with infill housing, they should be home to an even larger share of our population. Given this residential density, there is simply no way that Massachusetts meets its climate commitments without Gateway Cities in
Mass Broadband poised to help Gateway Cities win the future
The Gateway Cities Journal
The Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) issued a much-anticipated RFP for the Digital Equity Partnership Program last week. Drawing on resources from the state’s new Digital Equity Fund, the program will support a number of key strategies to close the digital divide, including: Digital literacy training programs to help residents build skills to use digital technologies;
State laws to blame for lack of minority contracting
Ben Forman featured in CommonWealth Magazine
August 23, 2022 IN THE EARLY DAYS of the pandemic, the Paycheck Protection Program offered a crucial lifeline for millions of suddenly desperate businesses. Yet as banks doled out nearly $1 trillion in PPP money, minority-owned businesses were at the back of the line. It was a glaring example of how even the most well-intentioned public
Bravo to Lesser and Driscoll!
The Gateway Cities Journal
For the Gateway Cities movement, the race for Lt. Governor was by far the most notable among Tuesday’s primaries. While many believe the position has little import, the LG’s office has established itself as a meaningful envoy to Gateway Cities across the state in recent years. Both Lt. Gov. Murray and Lt. Gov. Polito spent