New program will train municipal and regional leaders to strengthen local economies across Massachusetts
WATERTOWN, Mass. — MassEcon and the University of Massachusetts Lowell are launching a new statewide initiative designed to strengthen economic development capacity across the Commonwealth, bringing together municipal leaders, planners, and economic development professionals for specialized training and collaboration.
The Massachusetts Economic Development Academy, which officially begins June 4, will welcome its inaugural class of 27 participants representing 25 municipalities and organizations from across Massachusetts. The program aims to equip professionals with the tools, knowledge, and partnerships needed to drive sustainable economic growth in their communities.
Developed through a partnership between MassEcon and UMass Lowell, the Academy is being billed as the first interdisciplinary training program of its kind in Massachusetts focused specifically on economic development leadership. The curriculum combines academic instruction with practical, real-world applications, covering topics such as economic development strategy, finance, public-private partnerships, and implementation.
“The Academy will strengthen our economic development competitiveness by enhancing the capabilities of professionals working in economic development roles across Massachusetts,” said Peter Abair, CEO and executive director of MassEcon. “Partnership is central to MassEcon’s success as a statewide economic development nonprofit. We are proud to partner with UMass Lowell in creating this new economic asset for Massachusetts.”
Program organizers say the Academy was created in response to the increasingly complex challenges facing communities as they compete for investment, workforce talent, and business growth. Participants will include municipal officials, state agency staff, planners, and community stakeholders working to support economic development efforts throughout the state.
Sue Kim, dean of the College of Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at UMass Lowell, said the program aligns with the university’s mission of supporting communities across the Commonwealth.
“Supporting our Commonwealth and its communities is an important part of our mission at UMass Lowell,” Kim said. “The ED Academy will integrate academic rigor with applied, interdisciplinary training — an essential model for leadership development that equips professionals with the analytical frameworks, collaborative skills, and strategic perspective needed to sustain and grow local economies.”
The Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) supported the launch through outreach to local governments and municipal leaders. MMA Executive Director and CEO Adam Chapdelaine said the program arrives at a critical time for cities and towns.
“Municipalities are being asked to do more than ever — drive growth, support businesses, address workforce challenges, often with limited resources,” Chapdelaine said. “The ED Academy delivers what local leaders need most: practical tools, strategic insight, and a strong network of peers.”
State officials also praised the initiative. Massachusetts Secretary of Economic Development Eric Paley said the Academy will help communities strengthen their ability to attract investment and create opportunities for residents.
“Massachusetts succeeds when every region and community has the capacity to compete, grow, and attract opportunity,” Paley said. “This Academy will help equip municipal and regional leaders with the practical tools, partnerships, and strategic perspective needed to support business growth and strengthen communities across the Commonwealth.”
The curriculum was developed with significant input from local economic development practitioners, including Sandhya Iyer, director of economic development and tourism for the Town of Lexington and one of the program’s lead architects.
“The Massachusetts Economic Development Academy was built to prepare leaders to think holistically about how communities function and how strategic collaboration can create vibrant, resilient, and economically competitive growth across the Commonwealth,” Iyer said.
MassEcon will host the Academy at its Watertown headquarters. Financial support for the program comes through funding included in the Massachusetts Legislature’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget and administered by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Economic Development.
The Academy represents a growing recognition that successful economic development increasingly requires collaboration across municipal boundaries, sectors, and disciplines. Organizers hope the program will create a statewide network of trained professionals capable of helping communities navigate challenges ranging from workforce development and housing to business attraction and long-term economic competitiveness.
The inaugural cohort begins classes on June 4.
