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

Empowering Cities to Accelerate Equitable Growth

A State Policy Blueprint for Inclusive Municipal Contracting

Prepared in partnership with Lawyers for Civil Rights, this study surveys the landscape for inclusive municipal procurement in Massachusetts. The analysis reveals large racial and ethnic disparities in public contracting and surfaces changes in state law that will empower cities to implement effective supplier diversity policies. Building on a 2021 MassINC report highlighting the economic imperative to support

Positioning Gateway City leaders to take the lead on digital equity

The Gateway Cities Journal

While leaders responded to their residents’ most acute digital equity needs during the pandemic, the issue appears to be receding among the many competing challenges facing Gateway Cities. We can’t allow this to fall out of sight again, especially with half a billion dollars from the federal infrastructure bill coming to Massachusetts to help communities implement durable solutions.

This is the moment to make transformative investments

The Gateway Cities Journal

The TDI program has been highly effective in Gateway Cities closer to Boston with relatively strong real estate markets. But the impact has been minimal in weaker markets outside of I-495, where Massachusetts desperately needs new sources of economic growth. Now is the moment to do right by the communities that state economic development policy has neglected for far too long.

Baker’s Seminal Economic Development Legislation

The Gateway Cities Journal

Gateway City economic development leaders huddled on Zoom Wednesday for a call with Sec. Kennealy. The discussion offered valuable insight into how Gov. Baker’s $3.5 billion economic development/ARPA 2.0 bill could sow seeds for growth. Here are our first impressions of the governor’s final major contribution to economic development policy.

Preliminary Thoughts on ARPA 2.0

The Gateway Cities Journal

Governor Baker’s second ARPA spending bill is anticipated in the coming weeks. Rather than responding to emergencies, the state can now use these flexible funds for transformative long-term investments with a heavy focus on parts of the state beyond I-495.

Building Back Better on Main Street

Gateway Cities Journal

Creating a sustainable funding mechanism for organizations that can play vital roles in strengthening commercial areas for the long-term is the kind of forward-thinking policy needed to leverage one-time APRA investments in small business development.
< 1 2 3 4 5 >>|

Our sponsors