About

Since 2004, the Foundation has been operating as the 501(c)(3) arm of the Massachusetts Alliance for Economic Development (MassEcon), a 501(c)(6) non-profit, founded in 1993 whose mission is to promote and champion Massachusetts as the best place to start, grow, and locate a business. MassEcon’s membership non-profit contributes funds for the Foundation to deliver invaluable and accessible data to the public, ranging from labor market, business, and wage statistics to demographic, real estate, and industry data. We are connected to an unsurpassed network of public and private sector players, within and outside our membership, all committed to growing the Massachusetts economy.

For 22 years, the Foundation has been working in furtherance of educational purposes of MassEcon, conducting nonpartisan analysis, study and research, publishing and disseminating information through studies, reports, and newsletters in print and electronic formats for public education related to the subject of economic development in Massachusetts.

Programs and Projects

Economic Development Academy

Massachusetts offers one of the most dynamic economies in the world. We rank among the highest in worker productivity and among the best performing public schools with a diversity of cost-effective price points for businesses across many regions, a surprisingly reasonable tax regime, competitive business incentives, and the fastest growing population in the Northeast. While we have the best educated workforce and most innovative economy in the country, we cannot rest on our laurels. The Foundation is well-positioned to administer the educational Economic Development Academy course because of its decades of experience in Massachusetts economic development.

Launched in June 2026, the Massachusetts Economic Development Academy imparts best practices to the future economic development leaders in Massachusetts, supports the fast-growing profession of economic development professionals to become experts at lead generation, helps economic revitalization through training, and builds statewide municipal capacity that supports inclusive growth, housing, and workforce goals that address equity gaps in economic opportunity.

The Academy delivers an intensive two-day program educating participants on economic development concepts, essential understanding of local and regional economies, and how to serve as the economic development manager and leader in the community. Using strategic planning, hands-on learning, local and regional economic analysis tools, cross-sector collaboration, instructor-led interactive sessions, case studies, group role play, and a review of the economic developers “tool-kit”, each graduate leaves better prepared to provide informed and competent delivery of economic development services for their community.

The first cohort of 25 town staff/municipal officials in planning, housing, economic development positions, elected leaders and volunteers, chamber and non-profit professionals, and early career civic leaders from 23 communities graduated from the program equipped with critical knowledge and skills that will enable them to plan and lead activities supporting economic growth in their communities. These economic development leaders have the tools they need to recruit and retain talent and lead complex development initiatives. Academy graduates are connected to a statewide peer group, MassEcon, and other practitioners, providing them with long-term support to achieve goals.

ReadyMass 100

The Massachusetts Economic Development Foundation is the provider of state location services to company prospects for Massachusetts. ReadyMass 100 is our premier inventory online database of validated, shovel-ready sites and Class A buildings in Massachusetts. Since 2009, commercial property listings on the ReadyMass 100 site have been providing a revenue stream for the Foundation. Through the ReadyMass 100 platform, the Foundation makes key economic, business, industry, and labor market data available as a open source for the public at not cost. MassEcon provides training to municipal and regional economic developers om this platform, as well as to state partners and the legislature. For more information, contact MassEcon Senior Director Doug Kehlhem at dkehlhem@massecon.com

Research

In April 2026, the Foundation released a report, “Large Site Demand and Capacity in Massachusetts,” that confirmed a strong demand for large acreage sites for non-retail commercial opportunities.

The Foundation commissioned an 18-month study that we worked on with the UMass Donahue Institute’s Economic and Public Policy Group that was published in March 2017 entitled “Choosing Massachusetts for Business: Key Factors in Location Decision-Making.” The comprehensive study was drawn from a multi-faceted survey and in-depth interviews of nearly 90 companies that expanded or relocated within Massachusetts over the previous 10 years. This study warned that we couldn’t be complacent, and to maintain and grow our leadership position, we needed to continue to nurture our key assets and address the challenges that could undermine our economic competitiveness. This report is a valuable tool for us to use to measure our successes in creating a business environment that supports employer growth and uncover opportunities to strengthen collaboration across the state to help our cities and towns increase jobs and investment.

For more information on the Massachusetts Economic Development Foundation, contact MassEcon CEO & Executive Director Pete Abair at pabair@massecon.com