Who is a member?
Our members are the local governments of Massachusetts and their elected and appointed leadership.
A new guide from the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development provides an overview of the state and federal programs, services and incentives available to local businesses throughout their business cycles, including recruiting and hiring, workforce training, layoff aversion and management, and business development.
The Mass BizWorks Resource Guide is one of the products of the federal Expanding Business Engagement Initiative, through which Massachusetts and 12 other states worked to develop a statewide business engagement strategic plan and enhanced business-focused services. In Massachusetts, this included enhancing and aligning services offered by state workforce development, economic development, and education agencies. The initiative began in 2012.
The guide may be a helpful tool for local officials engaging in economic development and business retention efforts.
“Over the years, thousands of companies in Massachusetts have taken advantage of programs and services offered through our 33 One-Stop Career Centers,” said Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Rachel Kaprielian. “Mass BizWorks puts all of these great resources in one place to make it easier for businesses to access these services. We primarily want employers to know that there is no wrong door they can enter when seeking any kind of service the state has to offer in helping them maintain and grow their businesses.”
A number of initiatives are detailed, including training grants, tax credits for hiring, incentive programs for growth or expansion, business development and mentoring services, manufacturing support, workplace safety grants and consultation, recruitment services, and layoff aversion. Each description includes corresponding contact information.
Agencies offering resources include the Department of Career Services, the state college and university system, the Commonwealth Corporation, the Division of Apprentice Standards, the Department of Unemployment Assistance, the Massachusetts Office of Business Development, the Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership, MassDevelopment, and the regional workforce investment boards.
As part of the Mass BizWorks initiative, each career center business service representative is available for one-on-one business planning and is trained to help employers use state and federal services, depending on where they are in the business cycle.
The BizWorks guide may be found at www.mass.gov/bizworks.