Press Release  Healey-Driscoll Administration Unveils New Tools to Grow and Attract Businesses

Boston — Today, the Healey-Driscoll Administration launched two major initiatives to strengthen Massachusetts' position as a top destination for businesses: the Business Front Door, a modern, 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 Governor 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 Governor Maura 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.”

“The Why Massachusetts website and the Business Front Door are designed to make it easier than ever for businesses to choose Massachusetts – and to succeed here,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “By streamlining processes and offering personalized support, these new initiatives will increase business creation and job growth across all industries.” 

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, climatetech 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 Healey-Driscoll Administration is dedicated to connecting employers with world-class talent and opportunities to build future talent right here in Massachusetts,” said Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones. “Access to talent is among top reasons employers choose to grow or do business in Massachusetts and we are excited to strengthen strategies to help employers navigate workforce resources across industries so both employers and talent can call Massachusetts home.” 

“With these two initiatives, Massachusetts is leveraging digital tools to better support business growth and attract talent to our state,” said Massachusetts Technology Collaborative CEO Carolyn Kirk. “We have so many great resources and funding opportunities available. These tools will make it easier for companies of all sizes to navigate our ecosystem, strengthening our economy and expanding opportunity across every region of the state.”

“The Commonwealth and its quasi-public partners, like MassDevelopment, offer a range of resources to assist businesses and organizations looking to locate or grow in our state,” said MassDevelopment President and CEO Navjeet Bal. “Our team is pleased that these new websites will make it easier for businesses, nonprofits, and cities and towns to learn about and access available resources, enhancing our ability to foster job creation and economic investment all across Massachusetts.”

“This is a critical time for the life sciences and other key pillars of our economy,” said Massachusetts Life Sciences Center President and CEO Kirk Taylor, MD. “We’re emboldened by the fact we have the best team and resources to address the needs of our stakeholders and execute excellence as the leading life sciences hub in the nation. We’re incredibly excited by the opportunities offered through these new tools as innovation multipliers to our MLSC 3.0 strategy.”

“Massachusetts is a hub for some of the world’s most groundbreaking industries, and that’s because of our commitment to innovation, smart governance, and healthy economic competition,” said Massachusetts Clean Energy Center CEO Dr. Emily Reichert. “These new tools will help entrepreneurs and innovators, including those in the climatetech and clean energy sectors, access our impressive collection of business development resources — making it easier for them to invest, grow, and create jobs in communities across the state."

"Startups thrive in Massachusetts because of our strong innovation ecosystem and commitment to supporting entrepreneurs at every stage," said MassVentures President and CEO Charlie Hipwood. "The Business Front Door offers expert guidance and gives companies a single access point to connect with funding opportunities, including non-dilutive grants and venture capital."

“Through the Inter-Agency Task Force on Early Education and Child Care, Governor Healey called for a ‘whole of government’ approach to investing in child care to support economic opportunity for families, employers and communities,” said Amy Kershaw, Commissioner of the Department of Early Education and Care. “We are so grateful to our partners at the Executive Office of Economic Development as they launch this innovative platform to help all businesses grow, and for their thoughtful and targeted attention to the needs of our child care businesses.”

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.

###