Newsletter Archives

2009 CEO Survey Results

The Massachusetts High Technology 2009 CEO Business Climate Survey revealed the highest degree of pessimism in the direction of the state's high tech business climate in 18 years.  The survey, sent to the more than 100 CEO members of the Council, indicates 38% of the CEOs believe the climate is "worsening" compared with only 4% a year ago.  In 1991 66% of member CEOs forecasted a worsening business climate (down from 80% in 1990). 

Soaring state budget deficits coupled with $500 million in higher taxes on employers in 2008 and the prospects for even higher tax and regulatory burdens in 2009 underscored growing concerns about the competitiveness of our state's technology economy.
 
In particular, opposition to Unemployment Insurance and other corporate tax hikes (69% strongly opposed) top the list of Council's priorities for 2009 (click here for survey results).  The state's technology CEOs also call for an overhaul of the education delivery system, including increasing pilot/charter schools and the pipeline of next-generation technology talent.
 
Once again this year, the CEO Survey results will be linked to MassTrack, our online tool to assess the support by each member of the state Legislature for public policy priorities identified in our survey.  
 
Unemployment Insurance Update

Identified as the top economic policy priority in the 2009 CEO Survey, the Council is working to avert a pending $111 million unemployment tax hike.  On January 14 the Council sent a memo (click here to view memo) to the Legislature urging swift action (as they did in 2008) to ensure that Massachusetts businesses are able to retain jobs and compete globally without the additional burden that this rate hike imposes. That call was joined by the Mass. Biotechnology Council on January 27.

Massachusetts already has the second highest UI costs in the nation and legislative action is required this month to avoid adding new costs on employers despite a $1.2 billion UI trust fund reserve (click here to view BBJ article). 
 
In the legislative memo, Council President Christopher R. Anderson stressed that if rates are frozen, the generous UI benefits for Massachusetts workers would not be impacted.  In addition, since UI is an off-budget item, raising the UI tax will not help offset cuts to state and local services. 
 
MassTalent Pipeline
 
While the economy in Massachusetts and around the globe has tanked during the past six months, many tech employers are thinking around the corner about how to connect with their future workforce.  We believe we have the solution.  The Council will be helping Massachusetts employers connect directly to the workforce of the future through the MassTalent Pipeline, a solution that utilizes the latest web technologies from technology solutions firm ConnectEDU with easy-to-use data to help employers implement customized recruitment strategies.  
 
The goal of our MassTalent Pipeline is to create a new model of collaboration between educational institutions, students and employers. Building out this capacity across New England and the nation now in the midst of a historic downturn will accelerate the economic recovery for employers throughout our innovation economy.  As the next generation enters the workforce, organizations will be able to build recruitment relationships directly with future employees. Traditional methods for recruitment, which are costly and imprecise, are becoming outmoded.  This program will help Council members identify qualified prospects using data provided by students seeking opportunities as well as gaining access to an applicant's entire academic history through participating schools. 

Council members are invited to learn more about the MassTalent Pipeline by attending a meeting with ConnectEDU on February 12, 2009 from 10:30 to noon at the Burlington Marriott.  Please contact Daniella DeChristopher at daniella@mhtc.org if you are interested in attending.
 
Anderson Named Honorary Commander

Council President Christopher R. Anderson was named to the Hanscom Air Force Base Honorary Commander program, which is designed to create deeper ties between the Air Force and the New England region. Air Force Lieutenant General Ted Bowlds, commander of the Electronic Systems Center, officially named Anderson, who is also president of the Defense Technology Initiative (DTI), honorary commander for the 653rd Electronic Systems Wing at a ceremony at Hanscom AFB (click here to view press release).

Governor's Clean Energy Challenge

The Mass. High Tech Council continues to work with our partners at the New England Clean Energy Council to promote the Governor's Clean Energy Challenge, a program designed to help businesses cost effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 10% during the next three years.  Several members including Genzyme, Pfizer and Millipore have voluntarily enlisted in key roles.  To learn more about this forward thinking program click here.  To learn more about the special incentive available to Council members in partnership with SourceOne and electric distribution companies, click here.
 
Governor Patrick, Fed President Rosengren Headline 2009 Annual Meeting

The 2009 Mass. High Tech Council's Annual Meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 3, 7:30 - 10:00 AM at the Westin Hotel in Waltham. 
 
Special guest speakers are Governor Deval Patrick (invited) and Eric S. Rosengren, President and CEO of The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston.
 
RSVP now online at http://mhtc2009.eventbrite.com or contact Jane Stoy (jane@mhtc.org) for additional information.
 
DTI Collaborates with Partners in Charge For Cyber Innovation Center 
 
During the past year, DTI has worked alongside MassDevelopment, Mass Insight, and the MITRE Corporation on the creation of a Cyber Innovation/Research Center in the Hanscom AFB area. The national center will highlight the strengths of the region's IT cluster in a range of cyber security capabilities in defense, finance, medical record-keeping and homeland security.
 
The Cyber Innovation Center is designed to serve a wide range of public, private and military entities including Hanscom and the Electronic Systems Center (ESC) which is the acquisition arm for the USAF cyber command, the 24th Air Force.