Jobs & Economic Development

Creating Jobs and Helping Business

Jobs and economic development are the most important issues facing Southeastern Massachusetts. Other areas of the Commonwealth are showing signs of recovery.  Although we still have a long way to go,  Massachusetts is adding jobs and growing faster than other states. In fact, we added more than 60,000 new jobs since December of 2009.

But much of the recovery has eluded Southeastern Massachusetts. We are too dependent on the weak Rhode Island economy and an economy in Fall River that has collapsed as manufacturing jobs moved overseas due to unwise federal trade policies.

In order to succeed, we need to better integrate our region’s economy into the larger Massachusetts economy.  Bringing commuter rail to Fall River is one important step.

Bringing Biotech to Southeastern Mass

Biotech is one of the Commonwealth’s largest, fastest-growing and best-paying job sectors.  That is why I helped fund a bio-processing center that will anchor a new biotech industrial park for our region. This will allow us to capture good manufacturing jobs and turn Southeastern Mass into a national hub for biotech manufacturing.

Supporting Local Businesses

My colleagues and I used savings from closing big business’s tax loopholes to lower the tax rate for Massachusetts companies, making Massachusetts more competitive, and helping our businesses sustain and create jobs.  I also voted to lower small businesses’ health insurance costs by allowing them to pool their resources and establish cooperatives.

Creating Green Jobs

Green Energy presents us with the opportunity to protect our environment while creating good manufacturing jobs. I have led the way with legislation like the Green Communities Act that has made Massachusetts as a national leader in clean energy.  These efforts are paying off for us. Thanks to this work, TPI Composites recently announced the construction of a wind turbine manufacturing center in Fall River.

Strengthening Agriculture

Agriculture is one of the top 5 sectors of our economy.  That is why I have made supporting agriculture a top priority.  I fought to win support for our dairy farmers and authored the small plot farming bill.  This legislation protects plots as small as two acres from arbitrary zoning restrictions and makes small farms eligible for technical assistance and grants.