What Does an Economic Developer Do? That was the first question posed by Pete Abair, MassEcon CEO & Executive Director, during the inaugural Massachusetts Economic Development Academy. At first, it seems like a simple question. Yet as participants from across Massachusetts began sharing their answers, it became clear there was no single response. Economic Development role and responsibility have changed dramatically over the last decade.

Today's economic developers are expected to understand housing, workforce development, infrastructure, transportation, entrepreneurship, tourism, small business growth, community engagement, placemaking, and economic resilience. They work at the intersection of government, business, education, and community development, often serving as connectors between stakeholders with competing priorities and limited resources.

During the inaugural Economic Development Academy, participant John Sisson, an economic developer with more than a decade of experience, described the profession as being a "concierge" for the community. The description resonated with many participants. Economic developers are frequently called upon to connect businesses with resources, guide an applicant through local permitting processes, assist residents and entrepreneurs, coordinate with all internal departments as well as state and regional partners, and help navigate complex community challenges.

In many municipalities, economic development professionals are an "office of one," serving simultaneously as strategists, connectors, marketers, problem solvers, and advocates for business and community growth.

Yet despite the growing complexity and importance of the profession, economic development remains one of the few fields without a clearly defined educational pathway. Most practitioners enter the profession from planning, municipal government, communications, real estate, business, nonprofit leadership, or public policy. They develop their expertise through experience, mentorship, professional networks, and on-the-job learning rather than through formal economic development education.

The need for foundational economic development education has never been greater.

That question from Pete Abair ultimately became one of the driving forces behind the Massachusetts Economic Development Academy.

Convened by MassEcon, in partnership with UMass Lowell and supported by the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA), the Academy was designed around a simple question: What foundational knowledge should every economic developer in Massachusetts possess, regardless of the community they serve?

The inaugural cohort brought together 27 participants representing 25 municipalities from across the Commonwealth. While communities may differ in size, geography, and economic priorities, many face similar challenges. Local leaders are navigating housing pressures, workforce shortages, changing retail environments, infrastructure needs, and increasing competition for investment and talent.

The Academy sought to create a shared foundation for addressing those challenges.



Participants explored the core principles of economic development, including ecosystem building, financing tools, public-private partnerships, downtown revitalization, small business development, placemaking, workforce strategies, and regional collaboration. More importantly, they engaged with experienced practitioners who shared lessons learned from projects and communities across Massachusetts.

The two-day intensive program welcomed municipal leaders, planners, economic development professionals, and community stakeholders from across the Commonwealth. Through a carefully curated curriculum and an exceptional roster of speakers and instructors, participants explored the evolving role of economic development and gained tools to address the unique challenges facing their communities.



MassEcon served as both a catalyst and connector throughout the program's development, leveraging its statewide network to engage experienced practitioners from municipal government, regional organizations, higher education, finance, site selection, downtown revitalization, and community development. The result was a highly collaborative learning environment that combined academic rigor with practical insights from professionals actively shaping economic growth across Massachusetts.

For MassEcon, the Academy represents more than a single training program. It is the beginning of a long-term investment in Massachusetts' economic development workforce.

Looking ahead, MassEcon and its partners are exploring opportunities to expand the Academy to additional regions of the Commonwealth, including Western Massachusetts, Central Massachusetts, the Cape and Islands, and Gateway Cities. Future plans also include developing a broader educational pathway in partnership with UMass Lowell that could include certificates, advanced credentials, graduate coursework, internships, and municipal career development opportunities.

The Academy also reflects the leadership and engagement of MassEcon members who are actively working to strengthen the economic development profession across Massachusetts. Among them is Sandhya Iyer, Director of Economic Development and Tourism for the Town of Lexington and Chair of MassEcon's Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Committee, who helped shape the Academy's vision and curriculum. Through her involvement with MassEcon and its committees, Iyer has championed efforts to create new educational pathways, expand professional development opportunities, and increase economic development capacity across the Commonwealth with the ED Academy.



The Academy further benefited from the expertise and engagement of MassEcon Board members, including Chris Steele and Meredith Harris, who served as instructors and shared practical insights drawn from their leadership and experience in economic development. Their participation exemplifies MassEcon's commitment to leveraging the knowledge and expertise of its members to support professional growth, foster collaboration, and strengthen communities across Massachusetts.

MassEcon | 617-924-4600 | info@massecon.com | www.massecon.com

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