The Honorable Adam G. Hinds, Senate Chair The Honorable Mark J. Cusack, House Chair Members, Joint Committee on Revenue State House, Rooms 109-E and 34 Boston, MA 02133 Dear Chair Hinds, Chair Cusack, and Members of the Committee: Thank you for this opportunity to provide written testimony in support of An Act Relative to
State House Forum Brings to Life the Power of Early College
Event Recap
MassINC unveiled new research on Early College high schools last Thursday, June 6th, at a State House forum. Our new report showcases data from two independent randomized controlled trials suggesting Early Colleges have demonstrated ability to double post-secondary degree completion among low-income high school students. Based on these strong results, rigorous cost-benefit analysis finds Early
‘Gateways’ Goes to Early College: Leominster
Gateways Episode 20
Hosts Ben Forman and Juana Matias begin the second installment in our podcast series exploring the promise of Early College by reflecting on a recent State House forum where over a hundred Early College students and educators shared their transformational experiences. Juana then interviews Commissioner of Higher Education Carlos Santiago.
Northern Massachusetts Transformative Transit-Oriented Development (TTOD) Regional Forum
Event Recap
On Thursday, May 30th, the Northern Massachusetts Transformative Transit-Oriented Development (TTOD) Regional Forum brought people from across the Commonwealth to the UMass Lowell Innovation Hub. Participants in the morning’s activities dug into how Lowell, Lawrence, and Haverhill are transforming their cities and surrounding communities using transit-oriented development. Speakers and panelists discussed proposed and active rail
Wielding the Double-Edged Zoning Sword
The Gateway Cities Journal
The Massachusetts Smart Growth Alliance released a new study linking the state’s housing crisis to zoning at a well-attended State House event last week. Amy Dain, lead author of the report, pointed to four ways zoning inhibits the housing market: height and density limits, ad hoc approval processes, mixed-use commercial requirements, and “edge city” land
‘Gateways’ Goes to Early College: Salem
Gateways Episode 19
This episode is the first in a series of three exploring the unique power of Early College pathways. We begin with Joel Vargas, a national leader in the Early College movement at Jobs for the Future.
Digging into the economic impacts of transit-oriented development
Gateways Episode 18
This week on Gateways, Tracy visits Fall River business owner Zach Leone of Alexandra's Boutique. They discuss the city's future and potential opportunities for transit-oriented development, emphasizing that economic development matters just as much as real estate development in advancing transformative TOD.
Central Massachusetts Transformative Transit-Oriented Development (TTOD) Regional Forum
Event Recap
On Tuesday, May 21st, the Fitchburg Art Museum hosted the Central Massachusetts Transformative Transit-Oriented Development (TTOD) Regional Forum. Along with event partners, the MassINC Gateway Cities Innovation Institute explored how Fitchburg, Leominster, Worcester, and other cities are using transit-oriented development to transform communities in Central Massachusetts. The panelists and presenters shared insights about proposed rail
MetroWestRTA innovations spark transit-oriented development in Framingham
Gateways Episode 17
In this episode of Gateways, Tracy takes a tour of MetroWest Regional Transit Authority headquarters in Framingham. Led by MWRTA Administrator Ed Carr and 495/MetroWest Partnership Executive Director Paul Matthews, Tracy learns about all the MWRTA has been doing to revitalize parts of the city, protect pedestrians, maximize energy efficiency, and more.
From “collective breaking point” to collective victory
The Gateway Cities Journal
In 2013, Gateway City leaders worked with MassINC to develop an education vision. This blueprint articulated how they could take advantage of their many uniquely urban assets to build economically-integrated schools that provide all students with exceptional educational opportunities. Gateway City educators labored to fulfill this vision with an array of innovative programs, but time