The Commonwealth has issued its strategic plan for economic development in Massachusetts entitled, “Choosing to Compete In the 21^st Century.”  The Plan is required under the comprehensive economic development reform legislation enacted in 2010.  The Economic Development Planning Council, lead by Secretary of Housing and Economic Development, Greg Bialecki, issued the Plan.  MetroWest’s own Bonnie Biocchi (President of the Metrowest Chamber of Commerce) and State Senator Karen Spilka (whose district includes Framingham, Holliston, Hopkinton and Natick) served on the Council. 

The Council’s Plan advances “5 steps toward a more competitive Massachusetts economy:” 

1. Advance education and workforce development for middle-skill jobs through coordination of education, economic development and workforce development programs.
2. Support innovation and entrepreneurship.
3. Support regional development through infrastructure investments and local empowerment.
4. Increase the ease of doing business.
5. Address our cost competiveness.  

While these are certainly laudable goals, perhaps more important are the 55 action steps identified for executing the Plan.  Look for Secretary Bialecki’s office to hold a series of regional meetings of public and private community leaders to identify ways to implement these action steps across the Commonwealth. 

To review the Plan itself, click here:  http://www.mass.gov/hed/docs/eohed/economicdevpolicystrategy.pdf