About Us | Case Studies

MassEcon provides real estate market overviews, site tours, research, educational events, and other subsidiary tasks with the goal of increasing jobs within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. MassEcon solves problems that enhance a customer’s view of Massachusetts. Through interactions with Site Location Consultants, the regional and municipal economic development community, and companies directly, MassEcon makes the case for Massachusetts.

2020

Project MB: Astellas Institute for Regenerative Medicine

2019

Project Apple: Wayfair

Code-named Project Apple, MassEcon assisted the Site Selection Group, Inc. New York office with community evaluations of Springfield and Pittsfield for the Wayfair 40,000 SF customer service center.  Wayfair, an online retailer, selected the Clock Tower Business Center in Pittsfield and will create 300 jobs by 2021.  MassEcon was instrumental in providing market research and introductions to local and regional economic development groups in Pittsfield.

2018

Astellas Institute for Regenerative Medicine

Chicago based, Astellas Institute for Regenerative Medicine (AIRM) converted a 250,000 SF office building at 9 Tech Drive in Westborough and created 300 new jobs and $80M investment. AIRM is a subsidiary of Japanese pharmaceutical company Astellas and serves as the company’s global hub for regenerative medicine and cell therapy research in ophthalmology and other therapeutic areas that have few or no available treatment options. MassEcon assisted Chicago firms MB Real Estate and True Partners Consulting with market research and site location recommendations.

2017

CRRC

CRRC decided to establish its manufacturing facility at 655 Page Blvd. in Springfield and build a 204,000 SF facility, 170 jobs, and $95M investment.  CRRC manufactures transit rail cars for public transportation authorities around the country.  MassEcon assisted Sojitz, the global Japanese consulting firm New York office charged with evaluating properties in Massachusetts.  MassEcon organized the initial site tours for Sojitz and brought together regional and local economic development partners, as well as several MassEcon members in real estate, construction, and engineering. Most recently, CRRC has manufactured new rail cars for the MBTA subway system.

2016

Project Kayak: Amazon

Code-named Project Kayak, MassEcon assisted Amazon corporate real estate officials touring Massachusetts for two different fulfillment center facilities that ended up locating in Fall River and Stoughton.  The larger facility of 1,016,00 SF, 1,000 jobs and $50M investment located at 900 Innovation Way in Fall River.  The smaller package handling facility is 328,000 SF, 125 jobs and $20M investment located at 1000 Technology Center Drive in Stoughton. MassEcon organized site tours to multiple properties throughout Massachusetts.

2015

Project Apple: LEGO Education

In the summer of 2015, LEGO Education North America announced its intention to relocate its U.S. headquarters from Pittsburgh, Kansas to Boston, Massachusetts. LEGO’s search for a location began in January 2015 under the code name Project Apple. MassEcon is proud to have played an instrumental role in the company choosing Massachusetts as a place to do business — 75 jobs and a 30,000 SF expansion! Through the exceptional ground work of Doug Kehlhem, MassEcon worked diligently with Newmark Grubb Knight Frank, Primary Source, Communispace, WinterWyman, MIT, Boston University, and MOBD on researching locations, facilitating meetings, and providing support to an education technology company. Click here to read the LEGO case study.

2014

Project Tiger: Baxter

After a year-long search, the identity of the company behind Project Tiger, Baxter, was announced and MassEcon is proud to have played an instrumental role in the company choosing Massachusetts as a place to do business — 400 jobs and a 200,000 SF expansion! Through the exceptional ground work of Doug Kehlhem, MassEcon worked diligently with MassBio, Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, BioMed Realty Trust, Transwestern | RBJ, and Deloitte on researching locations, facilitating meetings, and providing support to one of the world’s largest life sciences companies. Click here to read the Baxter case study.

Archive

Recruitment at Trade Shows: DSM-Crucell BIO

MassEcon joined the Massachusetts team to promote Massachusetts to the biopharma industry at the BIO2006 show in Chicago. MassEcon staff chaired the lead management committee responsible for targeting businesses prior to the show, calling on companies at the show and following up with them after the show. Before the show MassEcon was contacted by the consultant for DSM-Crucell with questions about finding a site in Massachusetts. MassEcon identified sites and participated with Massachusetts Business Resource Team in a meeting at the show with the company. MassEcon members NAI Hunneman and Coldwell Banker Residential Relocation were also key players on the team. As a result of the team Crucell made the decision to locate its US Research and Development facility in Cambridge, bringing 50 new jobs. The company chose Cambridge over Research Triangle Park, North Carolina and Montgomery County in Maryland.

Testimonials

“MassEcon has consistently been a solid resource for identifying site options for our clients. Not only do they excel in this area of support, but they understand important business issues that will impact our clients. Because of the services and staff at MassEcon, we truly enjoy working in Massachusetts.”

Will Hearn, Principal, CH2M HILL

“Merck’s efforts to secure a site for a research facility in Massachusetts were immeasurably helped by the front-end work of the Massachusetts Alliance for Economic Development. Our key milestone of reaching agreement on a site would not have occurred when it did without MassEcon’s support.”

Bill Mayo, Director Transactions, Portfolio Management, Merck

“Our global site location practice requires bringing the best resources to our clients. When we’re working in Massachusetts, we go right to MassEcon, the group that has the ability to give us precisely what we need. They’re a tremendous asset to the state.”

Katie S. Burdorf, Principal, WDG Consulting