Study Group Commissions Analysis on Economic Benefits of IT Industry Investment in Massachusetts

Business Wire, Jan 27, 2009

Study group to work closely with Patrick-Murray Administration

BOSTON -- Today, following a meeting with Governor Deval Patrick, the IT Industry Study Group, a consortium of Massachusetts businesses, industry associations and government officials, announced the commissioning of a study to examine the profile and economic contributions of the information technology (IT) industry in Massachusetts.

"The IT industry, with its rich heritage of innovation, plays a vital role in Massachusetts' economy and promotes competitiveness among other industries in the Commonwealth," said Joyce Plotkin, President of the Massachusetts Technology Leadership Council. "By commissioning this study, we hope to examine the scope of the industry's economic role and determine any significant obstacles to growth, expansion and opportunities for our industry."

"Nationally, the IT industry accounted for almost half of all job growth in the twelve months ending in April 2008, and wages in this industry are significantly higher than many other sectors," said Mark Horan, Executive Director of Mass NetComms. "We want to catalog that impact on Massachusetts and find new ways to nourish and grow this industry."

The University of Massachusetts' Donahue Institute's Economic and Public Policy Research Group will conduct the study on behalf of the consortium. The Institute will undertake in-depth research documenting the size and scope of activities of the major IT industry sectors in Massachusetts. It will analyze the extent to which the presence of IT firms contributes to the competitiveness of other Massachusetts industries. In addition, the report will explore opportunities for the local IT industry and investigate major obstacles to growth and expansion in Massachusetts. The $150,000 project is being underwritten by the consortium of private companies, in partnership with the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative's John Adams Innovation Institute.

The IT Industry Study Group

The IT Study Group, a consortium of Massachusetts industry, academic and government leaders, was formed in January 2008, to identify opportunities and obstacles for furthering the investment, employment and economic growth of the Massachusetts information technology (IT) sector. The founding members of the consortium include representatives the Massachusetts Technology Leadership Council, Massachusetts NetComms Council; leading technology companies including AT&T, Cisco, Comcast, EMC, Google, IBM, Microsoft and Verizon; and the Governor's Office of Housing and Economic Development.

Jointly released by Massachusetts Technology Leadership Council and Massachusetts NetComms Council.