State Launches Two Initiatives to Attract Businesses

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BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll administration has launched two initiatives to strengthen Massachusetts' position as a top destination for businesses: the Business Front Door, a digital-focused platform designed to connect businesses with personalized guidance to navigate state funding opportunities and incentives, and Why Massachusetts, a new website designed to attract businesses to locate and grow in the state. 
 
The Business Front Door was a recommendation from the administration's 2023 economic development plan and will leverage the resources and policy tools developed in collaboration with the state Legislature as part of the nearly $4 billion economic development bill, the Mass Leads Act, which Gov. Maura Healey signed in November 2024. 
 
"These new tools promote what we in Massachusetts already know: that this is one of the best places in the world to do business," said Healey. "With the launch of the Why Massachusetts website and the Business Front Door, we are ushering in a new era of technology-forward business engagement that prioritizes clarity, efficiency and personalization, and underscores our administration's commitment to fostering a competitive business environment."
 
Why Massachusetts promotes the state's global leadership in innovation, talent and quality of life while showcasing the key industry sectors where Massachusetts leads, including life sciences, artificial intelligence, climate tech and advanced manufacturing. The site highlights the data-driven reasons why businesses thrive in Massachusetts, including top rankings in education, health care, and quality of life; world-class research institutions; a highly educated workforce; and access to global markets.  
 
Complementing the site, the Business Front Door is a streamlined platform that serves as a one-stop shop for business owners and entrepreneurs looking to start, expand or relocate to Massachusetts. This new platform provides a clear pathway for businesses to work with "Team Massachusetts," which includes the Executive Office of Economic Development, its quasi-government economic development partners, and other agencies and offices across state government focused on supporting businesses.  
 
"We have heard from businesses across Massachusetts that they need a simpler way to learn about and access state resources, and these new tools address that by streamlining our efforts to support businesses into one user-friendly online platform," said Economic Development interim Secretary Ashley Stolba. "The Business Front Door ensures that every type of business across every industry, from emerging startups in life sciences to established enterprises in manufacturing, can receive comprehensive guidance and support from our administration."
 
The Business Front Door offers businesses a full concierge service that involves a user-friendly online portal through which they can access a tailored list of resources such as grant funding, loans, and technical assistance. Each business that enters the Business Front Door portal is assigned a "Navigator" from Team Massachusetts who will serve as a single point of contact for the business, offering guidance on issues and questions as they explore state resources.  
 
Within the concierge portal, the businesses can submit questions about their needs and a member of Team Massachusetts will respond directly. The portal also connects owners with key information, advisors and partners that can support their growth, and it opens virtual office hours for all businesses. 
 
Visit www.mass.gov/BFD for more information.

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Vermont National Guard Members Depart From North Adams

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff

About 50 people waved flags to the see the Guardsmen off on their bus. The members were staying in North Adams because of a lack of hotel rooms in Bennington, Vt.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Residents came together Friday to see some Vermont National Guard members off.
 
The American Legion Riders organized a send off for a group of 75 or so Guard members who were staying at Hotel Downstreet.
 
"We are going to escort them to the Bennington Armory," Riders President Mike Lewis said. "They are going to gear up there, and then I am not sure where they are going. I don’t even know if they are all going to the same place."
 
Fifty or so people met in the Hotel Downstreet parking lot to show their appreciation. They waved flags and held signs. A bagpiper was also present.
 
The Riders contacted the Fire Department who helped organize the send off. North Adams Police cruisers and Northern Berkshire EMS were also on site to help see the bus off.
 
Lewis said there was not enough rooms in Bennington for the National Guard members. He added because of the trend to use vacant hotel rooms as low-income housing, the group had to look toward North Adams.
 
It's not clear where these Guard were off to, but about 500 members of 3-172 Infantry Battalion were expected to go to the Middle East with U.S. Central Command. According to Vermont Digger, this deployment was scheduled prior to the strikes on Iran. 
 
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