Economy Links and Resources

Links to Information-Rich Websites

Boston Redevelopment Authority
The City of Boston’s planning and economic development agency. Website provides pdf links to BRA research and publications and information on events, programs, and initiatives.

Boston Business Journal
The business sector newsletter focusing on Boston. Includes daily updates on the business world in Boston, a weekly business calendar and ordering information for the annual Book of Lists.

Boston Municipal Research Bureau
Independent, non-partisan research organization that studies Boston's fiscal, management and administrative issues and provides in-depth research and analysis.  Website includes special reports, updates and briefs.

Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce
A broad-based association representing businesses of all sizes from virtually every industry and profession in the region. Provides ordering information for publications, events and initiatives information, and links.

Initiative for a Competitive Inner City
ICIC’s mission is to spark new thinking about the business potential of inner cities. Provides link to receive weekly email newsletter, pdf publications, and information on events, programs, and initiatives.

IssueSource
Background information on Massachusetts politics and policy, including budget and employment issues. Co-produced by MassINC and The State House News Service.

MassBenchmarks
Quarterly journal that analyzes performance of and prospects for the Massachusetts economy. Published by the UMass Donahue Institute in cooperation with the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston

Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center
Independent research and analysis of state budget and tax policies, as well as economic issues, particularly as they affect low and moderate income people.  Website features publications on taxes, spending priorities, economic issues, education, budget and legislation.

Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation
Independent, non-partisan organization focusing on state spending and tax policies and the Massachusetts economy. Website provides pdf research and reports and ordering information, news releases, and events information.

MassINC — Massachusetts Institute for a New Commonwealth
MassINC is a nonpartisan think tank and advocacy group to promote the growth and vitality of the state’s middle class. Website provides html links to articles from their quarterly Commonwealth magazine, pdf versions of their research publications (free registration required), and information on initiatives, forums and events.

Mass Insight 
Non-partisan public policy, research, and economic development consulting firm working with industry associations, corporations, and state and local government to ensure Massachusetts’ global competitiveness and sustained economic growth. 

Massachusetts Benchmarks
A quarterly journal in pdf format by UMass about the Massachusetts and regional economy providing commentary and interpretation of economic data aimed at business leaders, public policy makers, educational organizations, and the general public.

Massachusetts Division of Employment and Training
Includes job and resume bank, online form requests, searchable Massachusetts economic data statistics, and program and initiative information.

Massachusetts Department of Economic Development
The state’s office responsible for attracting, retaining, and spreading economic prosperity throughout the state, providing pdf publications, economic data and resource links on and information on local and state events and programs.

Massachusetts Alliance for Economic Development
A private, non-profit partnership of business, industry leaders, and government dedicated to the economic growth of Massachusetts.

Massachusetts Workforce Board Association
An organization whose mission is to provide Workforce Investment Board (WIB) members and workforce partners with an independent vehicle to analyze, develop and promote a collective vision of the workforce development system.  Workforce Board membership consists of private-sector businesses which work with labor, education, and the public sector to design effective demand-driven workforce development services for job seekers and employers.

Associated Industries of Massachusetts Foundation
An educational and economic research organization established by Associated Industries of Massachusetts (A.I.M.) whose goal is to develop in-depth, non-partisan analysis of public-policy issues. A.I.M. is the largest nonprofit, nonpartisan association of Massachusetts employers.

Massachusetts Community and Banking Council
Encourages community investment in low- and moderate-income and minority neighborhoods by bringing together community and bank representatives.  MCBC promotes a better understanding of the credit and financial needs of lower-income neighborhoods and provides information, assistance, and direction to banks and community groups in addressing those needs.

New England Public Policy Center at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston:
Dedicated to improving the quality of analysis on the economic and policy issues that affect the region.

EconData.Net
Designed to help practitioners, researchers, students, and other data users quickly gain access to relevant state and sub-state socioeconomic data. Contains searchable data links by subject and provider, and a link to monthly newsletter signup.

Bureau of Labor Statistics
Presided over by the US Department of Labor. Provides access to labor statistics at the national, state, and local levels.

Bureau of Economic Analysis
Presided over by the US Department of Commerce. Provides access to economic data at the national, state, and local levels.

National Priorities Project
Community education, research, and training organization dedicated to making the US budget priorities something that its citizens can help shape and understand. Provides charts on recent discretionary spending and the NPP Database, which offers state data on socio-economic needs and federal expenditures, and allows you to create customized tables, graphs and reports. Pdf reports, articles, and links.

US Census Bureau
Presided over by the US Department of Commerce. The nation’s collector and provider of data about the people and economy of the United States. Website provides searchable Census database and allows you to create customized tables, graphs and reports, as well as pdf publications and links.

Resources: Ways to Get More Involved

City of Boston Main Streets Program

Women's Union

MetroFuture Task Force