Policy Center
Research, events, and articles from the MassINC Policy Center, including the Gateway Cities Innovation Institute.
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Turning potential into place-based investment
Targeted investments in Gateway City growth districts can unlock private development and strengthen regional economies across Massachusetts.
March 10, 2026
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Beyond Programs: Regional Nonprofits as Architects of Systems Change for Educational Equity
On February 24, the MassINC Policy Center hosted a virtual conversation exploring how regional nonprofits can drive systems change in education.
March 4, 2026
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Downtowns get a little love
Massachusetts is giving its downtowns some Valentine’s Day attention with a new MDI Capital program aimed at funding local planning and streetscape improvements to spark economic vitality and replace last year’s defunded initiative.
February 17, 2026
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Supportive Housing in Jeopardy: What Gateway City Leaders Need to Know
A critical shift in federal homelessness policy threatens the future of permanent supportive housing in Massachusetts’ Gateway Cities, raising housing stability risks for vulnerable residents and laying out what local leaders need to understand and act on now.
January 30, 2026
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The Massachusetts Middle Class Status Report
As MassINC marks its 30th anniversary, the Massachusetts Middle Class Status Report revisits a foundational question: whether households in Massachusetts can achieve economic security, stability, and full participation in civic life. Using a multidimensional economic capacity framework, the report offers a rigorous, data-driven assessment of whether the Commonwealth’s economy is delivering broadly shared prosperity.
January 28, 2026
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The American dream is wobbling in Massachusetts’ Gateway Cities
Housing, entrepreneurship stats should set off alarm bells
January 25, 2026
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Commuter Rail transformation gains steam
January 17, 2026
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Case Study: Teach Western Mass
Vital lessons for systems change initiatives seeking to solve education equity challenges.
December 12, 2025
- Teach Western Mass (TWM) built culturally responsive training and recruitment programs that expanded access to teaching and increased educator diversity in Holyoke and Springfield.
- In partnership with school districts, colleges and universities, and the state education agency, Teach Western Mass helped elevate educator workforce and diversity as a shared regional priority.
- TWM’s early ambitions to change systems to expand the regional educator pipeline delivered impact, but limited capacity ultimately required the organization to focus on its teacher residency training program.
- This case study underscores the challenges that small nonprofits face mounting long-term system-change efforts.
