Interim economic‑development chief touts Mass Leads funding, 'business front door' and climate/AI investments; outgoing secretary urges persistence

Ashley Stolba, the interim secretary of economic development, and former economic‑development chief Yvonne Howe spoke at a Charles River Chamber breakfast in Needham about state programs intended to help businesses, workforce and innovation amid national policy uncertainty.

Stolba said the administration is working to make state support easier to access, including a planned “business front door” website that will let companies describe their needs and connect them with a concierge service. She said MassGrow Capital and MassDevelopment have been reorganized under the Mass Leads implementation effort to improve access to capital and that the administration is implementing programs to support climate tech through the Mass Clean Energy Center.

Stolba framed her comments around practical support for businesses: “We are very lucky to live here in Massachusetts,” she told the audience, citing strong public schools, health care and governance while saying the administration would “make these programs easy for you to access.” She noted the state’s economic development package and said officials would be continuing outreach to small‑business owners across the Commonwealth.

Former Secretary Yvonne Howe, who said she would step down from the role, delivered a wide‑ranging address praising the administration’s investments and urging continued engagement. She cited the state’s housing and economic development legislation during her tenure, at times using sporting metaphors: “This data reminds me of what it feels like to be down three‑one in a playoff series… The series is not over,” Howe said, urging persistence and long‑term investment in research, climate and workforce initiatives.

Bob Rivers, president of Eastern Bank, praised Howe’s leadership and stressed the need to support nonprofits and local community services in the face of possible federal cuts. He urged private sector and philanthropic support to help nonprofits through what he described as a shift from “investment and transformation” toward “sustainability and survival” for many organizations.

During audience Q&A, local business owners raised concerns about competition from large online retailers and federal funding cuts. Mike Carroll of Boston Ski & Tennis asked how small, independent retailers can compete with Amazon’s delivery and pricing. Stolba and Howe suggested a combination of public promotion, targeted state programs, local patronage and services that national firms cannot easily replicate (such as in‑person fitting and specialist advice). Stolba also offered to connect state small‑business staff with local firms and noted the administration’s small‑business outreach and the MASGROW Capital vehicle intended to expand lending and flexibility for local companies.

Stolba and Howe highlighted technology and workforce priorities: Howe and Stolba cited the administration’s push into climate tech and AI. Stolba noted the state’s AI task force and described three pillars of the state’s approach — values/equity, infrastructure (including compute capacity and anonymized data), and support for startups and workforce training — and listed specific follow‑ups such as a planned IBM/Red Hat incubator and chips infrastructure being planned in Holyoke. She said the administration is moving to implement roughly $4 billion in economic development investments over the coming decade and to target climate tech, life sciences and manufacturing.

Howe and Rivers both urged chamber members and businesses to support local nonprofits and housing initiatives, including state bond and appropriation programs mentioned by speakers. Several speakers used dollar figures in discussion: the “Affordable Homes” funding was cited repeatedly at roughly $5,000,000,000 while the Mass Leads/Mass Leads Act figure was described at different points as about $3,000,000,000 and as $4,000,000,000 during remarks; organizers and speakers emphasized that the funds and programs are being implemented now and that program details and grant windows would be announced through the relevant state agencies.

Howe said she would remain engaged locally and urged the business community to continue volunteering and supporting civic institutions. Stolba said her office will continue to expand small‑business outreach and urged attendees to use the “business front door” and state programs. The panel closed with attendees encouraged to follow up with state contacts for grant and program assistance.