Protecting Gateway City small businesses through the pandemic

Policy Center
Jul 31, 2020 Policy Center

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A new poll paints a damning picture for businesses across the state, but there is cause for additional alarm when it comes to those in Gateway Cities. Can we save them? Dr. Tracy Corley, MassINC TTOD Fellow, says all is not lost.

Small Business Needs for an Equitable Recovery

Policy Center
Jul 24, 2020 Policy Center

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Small businesses in Massachusetts have suffered serious damage due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with just one in three reporting they are fully open.

Moving Forward with Mobility: What will the post-COVID future of transportation hold?

The Gateways Podcast Episode 62

Jul 16, 2020

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In response to the pandemic, the MBTA allowed for back-door boarding on buses, making rides effectively free. But is that the right plan?Two guests stop by the Gateways Podcast to continue the transportation conversation — Jarred Johnson, director of TransitMatters and Brenna Robeson, lead coordinator at Zero Fare WRTA Coalition.

The Role of Higher Education in an Equitable Recovery

Polling Group Policy Center
Jul 16, 2020 Polling Group Policy Center

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New survey finds that access to technology, language barriers and economic status remain obstacles to pursuing a post-secondary degree during COVID-19.

New economic development legislation is a boon for Gateway Cities

Why MassINC supports the Act Enabling Partnerships for Growth (H.4529)

Policy Center
Jul 10, 2020 Policy Center

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Without intervention and a new funding stream, the coronavirus crisis will further destabilize vulnerable Gateway City neighborhoods.

Ranked Choice Redux: The Promise of Ranked Choice Voting

Gateways Podcast Episode 61

Policy Center
Jul 8, 2020 Policy Center

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Can ranked choice voting achieve more diverse civic leadership in Massachusetts? MassINC explores how RCV could change the Commonwealth's political landscape to be more representative of residents.

With prison populations halved, it’s time for a reinvestment strategy

Jun 24, 2020

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All told, state and county correctional agencies maintain a complex of nearly 500 buildings with approximately 10 million square feet among them.

Social-emotional support systems are more important in schools than ever

Gateways Podcast Episode 60

Policy Center Education
Jun 24, 2020 Policy Center Education

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With the next school year just a summer away, educators are planning for what could be an even more intense challenge. They will likely have fewer resources to serve families enduring deeper pain from a prolonged economic downturn.

Speaking up for Gateway City Teachers

The Gateway Cities Journal

Policy Center Education
Jun 22, 2020 Policy Center Education

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Schools are finishing up for the year, but the emotional toll of the pandemic bears down on Gateway City educators harder than ever. For the past three months, they engaged in heroic efforts: helping families find food, consoling those who lost loved ones, leading painful dialogues on race and identity. Gateway City districts haven’t been

Diverse Voices Needed in Gateway City Leadership

Gateways Podcast Episode 59

Policy Center
Jun 16, 2020 Policy Center

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Policies that the historically white-dominant Massachusetts Legislature have put in place aren't designed for Gateway City residents who on average take home less pay than those living in Boston's core.

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Explore research reports

@MassINC

MassINC is a key partner to the Boston Foundation, and all of us who are seeking to advance the regional conversation around economic opportunity and a strong quality of life for all. MassINC's robust, nonpartisan research is exactly what our citizens and leaders need to make good decisions.

Paul Grogan, President of The Boston Foundation
I watch my inbox for CommonWealth magazine’s Daily Download. I can count on the newsletter to tell me succinctly what’s happening in politics and public policy. The magazine itself always delivers in-depth news, analysis and commentary. It's simply outstanding, quality journalism. I am happy to support unbiased reporting through my participation in Citizens Circle.

Helen Chin Schlichte
Former Public Administrator; President Emeritus, South Cove Manor at Quincy Point
MassINC's long-term dedication to Gateway Cities makes them a valuable resource to all of our communities. They are a true thought partner. They go the distance to help others appreciate our unique opportunities, needs, and perspectives.

Tim McGourthy Executive Director of the Worcester Regional Research Bureau
MassINC serves as a credible, thoughtful resource for all of us who are invested in the future of the Commonwealth. Its emphasis on careful analysis that is grounded in data, research, and polling makes an important contribution to and helps elevate the conversation about the challenges and opportunities facing the region.

Trevor Pollack, Manager of Special Projects for the Barr Foundation
The potential of Massachusetts’ Gateway Cities is limitless. MassINC’s dedicated work in promoting these cities has been, and will continue to be, instrumental in their individual and collective success.

Jay Ash
Massachusetts Secretary of Housing and Economic Development and former chair of the Gateway Cities Innovation Institute
MassINC has always provided research showing the detrimental impact of the state’s unforgiving criminal justice system on our communities. Their polling confirmed that the public understood the need for change in our system. That criminal justice reform is at the forefront of bipartisan local and national debates today is in no small measure due to MassINC’s persistent and fair commitment to the issue.

Juliette Kayyem Faculty Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, Founder Kayyem Solutions LLC
Through my partnership with MassINC, the Building On What Works Coalition is working to unite a diverse collection of civic leaders around an urgent call to encourage the state to act on the progress that has been made ensuring all children in Massachusetts have a true chance to succeed in the state’s economy. MassINC’s research and commitment to data driven public policy are helping to give the children of Massachusetts a better education.

Kim Driscoll Mayor of Salem
MassINC's work with the Gateway Cities is unmatched. As Eastern Bank strives to help businesses in these communities thrive, MassINC has been a tremendous partner, providing data-driven research and affirming that these cities are full of opportunities.

Bob Rivers Chairman and CEO of Eastern Bank
When MassINC speaks, it’s well worth listening. After all, the nonpartisan think tank has established itself as a thoughtful, careful, credible voice on public policy in Massachusetts.

Scot Lehigh Boston Globe Op-Ed Columnist
Few organizations in the country have better understood the important role of governance reform and accountability in education policy and economic development than MassINC.

Bruce Katz Former Vice President and Founding Director of the Metropolitan Policy Program at The Brookings Institution
[MassINC's] understanding of the complexity of the challenges facing the state’s older cities, its belief in the opportunities that present themselves in those communities, and its advocacy of the role that public higher education can and should play in them, has added to the understanding that policy makers need to have as they move our state toward the future.

Jean MacCormack

Why support massinc?

Reason #7

We enjoy what we do.

Whether it’s planning events, conducting research, or analyzing the news, our team works on projects that we’re passionate about.
Reason #6

We develop leaders.

Former MassINC employees have gone on to work at reputable organizations like Harvard University, Boston University, City Year, EnerNOC, and Governor Baker’s office.
Reason #5

We stick with it.

Our work on transformative development, which uses public and private funding for projects to revitalize an entire downtown or urban neighborhood, began as Policy Center research report in 2013. A year later, the state legislature passed a bill funding transformative development projects across Massachusetts.
Reason #4

We are nonpartisan.

Our Board of Directors includes prominent Massachusetts Democrats and Republicans. We are interested people’s ideas, not which side of the aisle they sit on.
Reason #3

We have a complete toolbox.

We aren’t just a think tank. We bring nonpartisan research, civic engagement, journalism, and independent polling together under one roof.
Reason #2

We have state-wide reach.

We know that Beacon Hill isn’t the only place to make progress. We’re on the ground in cities across the state working with local leaders.
Reason #1

We have unique networks.

We use our connections to bring together a cross-section of diverse leaders to solve problems. Our networks include mayors, economic development directors, superintendents, business people, newspaper editors, arts leaders, and regional transit officials.