Program Overview

About the Gateway Cities Initiative

MassINC has worked with 11 key regional Gateway Cities since 2007 to rekindle the social, economic, and civic innovation that older industrial communities need to compete and prosper in the nation’s 21st century economy. Like mid-size cities across the Northeast and Midwest, Massachusetts Gateway Cities have unrealized potential, but they face complex and interrelated challenges that make it difficult to unlock these opportunities. In the next three years MassINC will leverage research, and a network of local leaders and engaged citizens, to identify policy priorities and propel action on a comprehensive, evidence-based, community-change agenda.

 

Goals

MassINC seeks to achieve the following results:

1. Establish the vision for reinventing Gateway Cities as growth engines in their regional economies through effective cross sector partnerships.

2. Build self-sustaining Gateway City networks that lead to inter-city cooperation and create social capital, giving the communities greater capacity to respond to change with innovative new initiatives.

3. Achieve significant legislative and regulatory reform leading to new public and private investments in Gateway Cities and their residents — providing a model for older industrial cities nationally.

Strategies

MassINC will pursue three approaches to realize these goals:

1. Produce high-quality research and policy briefs and use our online civic engagement tools to distribute research. By engaging local leaders around quality research, MassINC can initiate collaborative and self-sustaining networks that will develop, advance, and implement a new agenda.

2. Mobilize Gateway City citizens and office holders. MassINC will enable Gateway Cities leaders and residents to collaborate with one another—and throughout the Gateways network—on the local issues that support their communities.

3. Communicate the opportunity. Through CommonWealth magazine and other media outlets, MassINC will work to rebrand these cities and advance the gains Massachusetts can generate by investing in these regional economic engines.

Major Accomplishments to Date

2007

Brookings–MassINC Gateway Cities report released. Receives widespread media attention including the Boston Globe, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and NPR.

Governor stresses report findings at Greater Boston Chamber breakfast.

MassINC convenes Gateway City economic development directors to strategize on opportunities to advance report recommendations. Group forms an 11-city coalition that meets regularly.

UMass-Dartmouth launches Urban Initiative. Headed by former Gateway City mayor, the initiative is tasked with advancing the report’s recommendations.

2008

Chief executives from all 11 Gateway Cities sign the Gateway Cities Compact on Community and Economic Development.

Gateway City legislators form a legislative caucus. Group begins 11-city listening tour, gathering input for eventual legislation.

MassINC publishes state economic development policy brief. The report provides a foundation for Gateway Cities legislation and informs governor’s regional economic development strategy. UMass Urban Initiative and MassINC co-sponsor first Gateway Cities conference. More than 300 leaders from across the state attend, including Lt. Governor and Secretary of Economic Development. Patrick Administration announces Gateways Plus, a program for economic development and neighborhood revitalization in midsize cities.

2009

Gateway Cities legislative caucus files economic development bill. Legislation would provide resources for market-rate housing and enhance economic development tools for urban redevelopment.

MassDevelopment and NAIOP host Special Gateway Cities Trade Shows and Department of Housing and Community Development convenes Gateways working group. These are two examples of the project gaining momentum and attention from key actors in both the public and private sectors.

MassINC releases Springfield report. The study benchmarks social and economic conditions, identifying priorities for a long-term growth strategy. Analysis is well received by community stakeholders, stimulating informed conversation on long-term growth strategies.

Architecture Boston publishes Gateway Cities issue. This is a leading publication for architects and planners across New England features Gateway Cities and their untapped potential.

MassINC releases neighborhood revitalization policy brief at HAP Housing Annual Event. Paper documents unevenness in state housing policy and calls for unique approaches to housing development in weak markets.

Massachusetts legislature passes bill reforming economic development programs. Changes create refundable tax credits for manufacturers located in Gateway Cities and provide executive agency flexibility to grant larger tax credits based on job creation.

2010

Gov. Patrick submits market-rate housing legislation. New subsidy program would

provide a national model for weak-market neighborhood revitalization.

MassINC releases Gateway Cities wealth-building financial services policy brief and cohosts Worcester forum. Event was attended by policymakers and leaders from community-based organizations working to connect families to low-cost financial services.

Legislature passes and Governor signs Gateway Cities legislation. Comprehensive economic development bill creates market-rate housing incentive and strengthens Gateway City business incentives.

MassINC releases transportation strategy paper advancing regional financing of transportation. This approach would allow different parts of the state to invest in transportation infrastructure consistent with their unique needs and aspirations for economic growth.

Boston Globe publishes a series of editorials calling for heightened focus on Gateway Cities and a new state partnership.