Poll: Massachusetts small businesses still recovering from COVID

New MassINC Polling Group Poll finds Massachusetts small businesses owned by entrepreneurs of color see expansion opportunities if capital and space challenges can be overcome

September 22, 2022 A new statewide survey commissioned by Coalition for an Equitable Economy (the Coalition) in partnership with The MassINC Polling Group (MPG) and Mass Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC) finds Massachusetts small businesses facing a long road to recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, with about half (53%) reporting revenues remain lower than pre-pandemic. Business

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

The Baker Administration’s Crowning Achievement

The Gateway Cities Journal

Leaders on Beacon Hill continue to look for solutions to the stalled economic development package. Embedding the bill’s provision in a supplemental budget, which Governor Baker would take the lead in drafting, is one scenario floating around the State House. This approach has one major downside: supplemental budgets cannot contain bond authorizations. If this is

Our take on the end of the legislative session

At the end of this extraordinary legislative session, the team at MassINC sends a note of gratitude to the many partners who contributed to our various efforts over the past year. This includes funders, who generously underwrite the research; civic leaders, who selflessly lend their time and expertise to inform our work; and most especially,

For the Good of the Commonwealth

The Gateway Cities Journal

Gateway City leaders awoke Monday morning to incredibly disheartening news: The legislature had failed to pass the economic development bill and its long-awaited increase in the Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP). Session after session, the omnibus economic development bill has been the primary vehicle for economic policy in Massachusetts. Many interests are now waiting patiently

House and Senate move on HDIP, Lesser fighting for inclusive entrepreneurship provisions

The Gateway Cities Journal

On Monday, the Senate Ways and Means Committee released its version of the biennial economic development bill. Similar to the bill passed unanimously by the House last week, S. 3018 contains provisions increasing the annual cap on the Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP) to $57 million for FY 2023 and $30 million each year thereafter.

50 Gateway City economic development leaders write to state legislators for HDIP

50 Gateway City economic development leaders and developers sent a letter to state legislators calling for action to rescue the Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP), which is the only state program to address the unique development challenges of our small cities. Most significantly, rents remain comparatively low in most Gateway Cities compared to rising construction

Event Recap | Gateway Cities Leadership Summit: Growing an Inclusive Economy II

On Tuesday, July 12th, MassINC hosted its Annual Gateway Cities Leadership Summit. The forum explored how municipal contracting can support the growth of businesses of color, a timely conversation with an unprecedented influx of federal resources flowing into Gateway Cities through ARPA and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. MassINC Research Director Ben Forman and Executive Director

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