Microtransit is paying off as every $1 invested in Hilltown microtransit balloons to $23 in economic return, according to a new study by the Donahue Institute at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
That’s $4 million of economic growth in the area from 2022 through 2025 driven by three Hillside Easy Ride vans. Meanwhile, these vans are giving Hilltowns residents freedom and relief from rural isolation.
This research examines the economic impact of three microtransit services using a methodology developed through the Quaboag Connector Microtransit Impact Study.
What does the future workforce look like when employers face a growing shortage of skilled workers while many recent graduates struggle to find their footing?
Our own Dr. Mark Melnik joined WWLP 22 News' InFocus for an extended conversation exploring the workforce challenges shaping the economy, from labor shortages and demographic shifts to opportunities for employers, educators, and policymakers.
The UMass Donahue Institute has launched its next-generation website at umass.edu/donahue. Designed to better connect visitors with our research, expertise, services, and impact across Massachusetts and beyond, the site offers a more intuitive experience and improved access to news, publications, events, and partnership opportunities. We invite you to explore our new online home.
A new Boston Globe article highlights the growing importance of immigration to Massachusetts' economic future. Citing research from MassINC Policy Center and Boston Indicators, the article notes that: "Massachusetts needs at least 60,000 net new immigrants a year by 2030 to maintain its working-age population."
Housing affordability isn't just a housing issue. It's an economic issue.
A recent Banker & Tradesman opinion piece highlights the growing impact of housing shortages on employers, workers, and communities across Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket.