New research by the Brookings Institution adds to our understanding of immigrants in Gateway City regions. The report looks at the balance between low-skill (those without a high school degree or equivalent) and high-skill immigrants (those with a BA or higher) in the nation’s 100 largest metro areas. Findings show that high-skill immigrants in Greater
Evidence for asset building
Increasing homeownership is a core asset building strategy because research shows that owning a home can create positive economic and social capital for families and individuals. Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) are a common approach to help lower income families become homeowners. IDAs encourage savings toward a downpayment through matched savings accounts. While IDA programs are
MassINC announces four new members of its Board of Directors
MassINC today announced the addition of four new members to its Board of Directors. “Each individual brings with them enormous talent and expertise, as well as a diversity of perspective attained from wide-ranging profiles,” said Greg Torres, president of MassINC and publisher of CommonWealth magazine. “With experience that spans the public, private, and non-profit sectors, from different regions of
Over 100 gather at MassINC event to discuss ways to combat climate change
Over 100 people from business, environmental and advocacy organizations joined a MassINC panel discussion May 18th to discuss strategies to combat climate change, based on new information released by The MassINC Polling Group in April. The new poll, entitled “The 80 Percent Challenge: A survey of climate change opinion and action in Massachusetts,” flagged a
On future energy needs, MA residents strongly prefer wind, solar and gas over oil, coal and nuclear power
BOSTON — Massachusetts residents strongly believe that the state should rely more heavily on a mix of wind, solar, and natural gas for our future energy needs and a majority think we should lessen our reliance on nuclear power, according to a new poll by The MassINC Polling Group (MPG) released today. The survey also
Service sector leaders join forces at event
BOSTON—Collaboration was the theme of the day as approximately 120 people gathered this morning at “State of Service: The Next Chapter of Service” at the Liberty Hotel. The event was hosted by the MassINC Associate Board and AmeriCorps Alums Boston, a partnership of young leaders dedicated to improving service in Massachusetts. The event, the last
CW and the Gateway Cities
The current edition of MassINC’s CommonWealth magazine features several items related to the Gateway Cities. If you want to learn more about the state of affairs in Lawrence—including the city’s embattled mayor—check out Gabrielle Gurley’s feature story “Lawrence on the mat.” Also, Robert Fishman, real estate partner at Nutter McClennen & Fish, LLP, describes the
Brookings report calls for renewed focus on urban manufacturing
A new study by the Brookings Institution argues that today’s manufacturers are increasingly small, specialized firms hidden in plain sight in American’s urban areas. The US now has more than 50,000 manufacturers with fewer than 20 employees. These companies have multiplied in recent years, even as large manufactures have experienced steady decline. They now represent
Family asset building as a high impact economic development strategy
Family asset building is steadily emerging as an economic development strategy with the potential to strengthen Gateway Cities. The approach is focused on supporting individuals and helping them gain assets that provide long-term economic stability. As noted in a recent evaluation conducted by the UMass-Boston McCormack School, the benefits of this approach can translate into
MassINC Poll: Economic anxieties persist among Bay State residents despite growing economy
Consumer sentiment numbers, among other findings, in the MPG Quarterly Trend Monitor BOSTON—Despite strong statewide economic growth in the first quarter, Massachusetts residents are still anxious about their economic prospects and confidence in the recovery has slipped, according to a new statewide poll released today by The MassINC Polling Group (MPG). The numbers are part of