They’re Leaving Massachusetts: Competitiveness and Workforce Challenges

More people are leaving Massachusetts than arriving in almost every demographic category. Among the culprits: Escalating housing and childcare costs, deficient public transportation infrastructure, and increased freedom to work remotely. And businesses naturally gravitate to less expensive areas with ample labor.

With the labor pool shrinking, Gov. Healey has made Massachusetts economic competitiveness one of the cornerstones of her administration and has reduced business taxes, recently signed a housing bill and proposed an ambitious climate tech initiative, among several efforts. And yet the need for bold and creative policy solutions persists, as the lifeblood of the Massachusetts economy is a skilled and growing workforce.

Join leading legislators, business leaders, advocates, along with representatives from the emerging workforce, for a policy forum that explores challenges and opportunities to make Massachusetts an even greater place to live and work.

For questions and sponsorship opportunities, contact Dylan Rossiter: Dylan.Rossiter@StateHouseNews.com

IN-PERSON EVENT

MCLE Conference Center (Downtown Crossing) | 10 Winter Pl, Boston, MA 02108

Networking 8 AM, Program 9 – 11 AM

Keynote: Yvonne Hao, Massachusetts Secretary of Economic Development

Presentation: Doug Howgate, President, Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation

Panel I: Massachusetts or Bust? Insights from younger generations trying to realize the Bay State Dream

• Sen. Julian Cyr, Democrat – Cape and Islands
• Ché Anderson, Assistant Vice Chancellor for City & Community Relations, UMass Chan Medical School
• Samuel M. Gebru, Founder and CEO, Black Lion Strategies
• Katie Luczai, Economic Development Coordinator, Town of Arlington & Co-Owner of Marzae Wine
• Moderator: Diti Kohli, Reporter, Boston Globe

Panel II: The Competitiveness Agenda — the next policy prescriptions (panel in-formation)

• Sen. Barry Finegold, Senate Chair, Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies
• Kendalle Burlin O’Connell, Chief Executive Officer & President, MassBio
• Lisa Wieland, President, National Grid New England
• Moderator: Jon Chesto, Reporter, Boston Globe