Student Research Supports Local Economic Development and Affordable Housing Initiatives

Affordable housing, workforce development, and support for local businesses were at the forefront of a series of projects advanced this academic year by undergraduate interns at the Center for Economic Development & Sustainability (CEDS). Students Mia Amaral, Kami Boland, Emma McIntire, and Emma Motherway contributed their research, analysis, and report writing skills while balancing academic commitments and additional employment.

As part of their internships, the students actively engaged with community leaders, business owners, and organizations. They attended key regional events, including the North Shore Chamber of Commerce’s breakfast forums, where they had the opportunity to meet Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler. Discussions at these forums on early education challenges and workforce obstacles for parents and employers helped inform the students’ contributions to the Future of Work report. This report explored evolving trends in the workforce environment, the impacts of remote work, and the shifting post-pandemic relationship between employers and employees.

The interns also attended a housing forum at the historic Hawthorne Hotel, featuring Secretary Edward Augustus of the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities. The event, which addressed housing shortages and strategic planning across Massachusetts, provided valuable context for a project aimed at supporting affordable housing development in Chelsea, Massachusetts. Through this project, students gained firsthand experience in municipal and state housing policy, explored intersections with economic development and social inequality, processed and analyzed real-world data, and contributed to a growing coalition advocating for vulnerable populations.

In addition to these initiatives, the students assisted with the production of the Regional Economic Snapshot, CEDS’s annual report assessing business patterns across the 30 municipalities that comprise the North Shore. This work offers essential insights into the regional business and industry landscape and helps guide future economic development efforts.

Faculty mentors supporting and guiding the students throughout these projects included Professors Elizabeth Duclos-Orsello, Lorri Krebs, and Marcos Luna.