The Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce, supported by the Merrimack Valley Economic Development Corporation (MVED), hosted its annual Economic Development forum and spring business expo on April 2nd. The event was sponsored in part by MVED’s Regional Economic Development Organization (REDO) grant from the MA Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED).
EOED Secretary Yvonne Hao was the featured speaker, highlighting the Commonwealth’s efforts to further improve the ease of doing business in Massachusetts. To this end, the Governor’s administration has pioneered several new programs including the Business Front Door—a one stop shop for businesses to access resources across state agencies and offices. Secretary Hao also highlighted key efforts from the MA Leads Act—major economic development legislation that includes a $500 million capital reauthorization of the state’s Life Sciences Initiative, $400 million in climatetech initiatives, a new tax incentive program to support climatetech companies in Massachusetts, and $100 million to create the Massachusetts AI Hub to boost innovation and attract AI talent to the state.
Other featured speakers at the event included MVPC’s Community & Economic Development Manager Ian Burns. Burns spoke about the local economic development successes seen in the Merrimack Valley, from the construction of major new manufacturing facilities to new small business support programs. He also highlighted the essential need for increased housing production to meet the needs of the State’s workforce in the decades to come.
This economic development forum is one of a series of events that will be sponsored by MVED’s REDO programming, including a past event helping small business owners learn how AI can optimize their business practices. Stay up to date with future events through MVPC’s social media and the WeAreMV website, wearemv.com.