DOCSLIB.ORG

Prioritizing Approaches to Economic Development in New England: Skills, Infrastructure, and Tax Incentives Findings in Brief

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Prioritizing Approaches to Economic Development in New England: Skills, Infrastructure, and Tax Incentives Findings in Brief PRIORITIZING APPROACHES TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN NEW ENGLAND: SKILLS, INFRASTRUCTURE, AND TAX INCENTIVES FINDINGS IN BRIEF Jeffrey Thompson Political Economy Research Institute University of Massachusetts, Amherst August 2010 FINDINGS IN BRIEF Along with the rest of the country, New England is be- increasing the efficiency of our electricity transmission ginning to pull out of the “Great Recession,” but the lines, etc. — are particularly effective ways for state and recovery is expected to be slow and uneven. With hun- local governments to create jobs in the process of car- dreds of thousands of workers having lost their jobs, rying out the necessary functions of governments. Most tens of thousands of families having lost their homes, of these activities bring in matching funds from the and the prospect of continued high rates of unemploy- federal government as well as motivating investment ment in the region for years to come, policy makers will from the private sector. A new port, for example, is continue to face pressure to create jobs and improve likely to attract increased shipping traffic, which in turn the economy. The policies available to states are lim- creates jobs at the port and in its surrounding busi- ited, both in their range and their potential to create nesses; a rapid transit line extension may allow an em- large numbers of jobs, but there are options that can ployer to expand into a new neighborhood. Even after help create jobs and increase economic growth. accounting for the taxes needed to finance these pro- jects, infrastructure investments are powerful job crea- UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FORECASTS IN NEW ENGLAND tion engines because, by necessity, they 14% employ local workers, equipment, and Rhode Island 12% New Hampshire materials: it’s just not possible to have Maine Connecticut an underground water main in Bangor 10% * * Vermont ◊ ◊ Massachusetts replaced in China. 8% The benefits of investment in infrastruc- 6% ture are not limited to short-term job creation: infrastructure has a lasting 4% impact on a region’s productivity. Re- 2% search demonstrates that state-level 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 infrastructure investments have a posi- The evidence suggests that the most effective options tive and significant impact on economic growth. Among for creating jobs, in the short and long term, are invest- the recent findings are: ing in the region’s infrastructure and building the skills In New England, each small investment in infra- of the current and future workforce. Tax cuts and busi- structure—installation of a culvert, extension of a ness subsidies, on the other hand, do little to create bus route—leads to a small, but significant increase jobs in the short run, and are not the most effective in demand for workers. Correspondingly, larger in- approaches to generating growth over the long term. vestments lead to larger demands for workers. The value of building infrastructure1 The most effective options for The economy of New England—the businesses and creating jobs are investing in households that make up our region—-depends on the the region’s infrastructure and roads, bridges, ports, drinking water, sanitation, and energy production and transmission built and main- building the skills of the current tained by our state and local governments. In 2007, and future workforce. state and local governments spent $325 billion on this regional infrastructure. Building and repairing infrastructure projects — Increasing the total value of the public infrastruc- constructing and maintaining our bridges and roads, ture in a state by 10% boosts total output of that replacing our deteriorating water and sewage pipes, state’s economy by 1.2%. By investing in infrastructure, states lower costs for 1 Figure sources: CT, NEEP CT Economic Outlook May 2010; MA, DOR Briefing manufacturers, which attracts manufacturing firms Book, FY2011 Consensus Revenue Estimate December 2009; RI, Consensus Economic Forecast by Moody's, May 2010; VT, NEEP forecast, May 2010. to the state. PRIORITIZING APPROACHES TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN NEW ENGLAND / FINDINGS IN BRIEF / PAGE 1 Each dollar the state spends on public infrastruc- education and training received by workers is delivered ture returns as much as $1.37 in benefits to busi- by public schools at all levels. nesses and households in the state. For the individual, education and training mean in- There is an important added benefit from some of creased skills and opportunities for higher earnings; for these investments: investments in mass transit sys- businesses, it means more productive workers who are tems and clean-energy production and transmission able to learn quickly and adjust to changing economic systems also reduce carbon emissions, helping to build conditions. A skilled New England workforce not only more sustainable, less congested, and more productive helps attract firms and investment, but public spending urban communities. on education has been found to raise gross state prod- uct, increase employment in metropolitan areas, and The decline of New England’s infrastructure raise personal income at the state level. The infrastructure that supports New England has been Additional research has documented the impacts of allowed to deteriorate for many years, and today, some specific educational and training investment, including: of that infrastructure is in dire condition. Our state and The benefits of reducing elementary school class local governments have failed to keep up investments sizes from 25 to 15 students exceed the cost of in infrastructure at levels which can maintain, let alone doing so by nearly $66,000 per student over 20 enhance, this scaffolding for our region‘s economy. years. Comprehensive high school reform efforts raise the Between one-quarter and two-thirds long-term earnings of graduates by 17%, boost at- of major roads in New England are tendance, reading and math scores, and generate benefits that exceed program costs by nearly in poor or mediocre condition, and $150,000 per student over 20 years. 40% of bridges are structurally Customized training programs, in which community deficient or functionally obsolete. colleges collaborate with employers to develop training programs for workers, have saved and cre- ated thousands of jobs in Massachusetts at a cost of less than $9,000 per job. As infrastructure investments have declined, the list of Participants in community colleges’ occupational critical infrastructure in need of replacement and repair and vocational training programs received in- has grown. Between one-quarter and two-thirds of ma- creased earnings of $400 per quarter for at least jor roads in New England are in poor or mediocre condi- four years following program completion. tion, and 40% of bridges are structurally deficient or functionally obsolete. Our drinking water facilities—the reservoirs, water treatment plants, and pipes that bring Public spending on water to homes and businesses—are long overdue for education has been found repairs and replacements throughout the region. Tran- sit systems and schools are similarly in need of repairs, to raise gross state product, expansions, and maintenance just to maintain the cur- increase employment, and rent levels at which they support our communities. raise incomes in the state. Improving the education and training of the future and current workforce New Englanders have long recognized that a highly edu- The benefits to the economy from education begin as cated workforce has powerful positive effects on the early as preschool. Recent long-term studies of high- health of our regional economy. High quality education quality preschool programs for low-income children has become a requirement for accessing good jobs and show that participation has substantial positive effects developing a productive workforce. The vast majority of on high school graduation rates, college attendance, PRIORITIZING APPROACHES TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN NEW ENGLAND / FINDINGS IN BRIEF / PAGE 2 avoiding incarceration, employment, and earnings. six New England states spend less than the national These evaluations suggest that adoption of universal average on higher education. All six states impose high-quality preschool would, over the long-term, gen- higher tuition than the rest of the nation, making af- erate more than 130,000 jobs in New England. fordability a real problem for New England students. Infrastructure and education investments are unmis- Only four New England states have public preschool programs--and in three of those states the programs takably job-creation engines, key to helping the region turn the corner toward a real economic recovery. They reach few students and are funded at low levels. would create not only direct hires through government spending (such as teachers and construction workers) but also indirect jobs (machinists at the cement factory A $875 million annual corporate which supplies a school repair project) and induced tax incentive program in New jobs (cooks at the restaurant where school construction workers eat lunch). All told, direct, indirect and induced England would produce 9,000 jobs can create between 12 and 39 jobs for each mil- jobs, compared to over 130,000 lion dollars spent by state and local governments. jobs if that money were invested GROSS JOB CREATION FROM $1 MILLION INVESTMENT2 in universal preschool. CT ME MA NH RI VT Education spending Tax incentives and corporate Total jobs 25.5 31.5 27.0 27.0 26.3 30.8 subsidies have little impact direct 16.2 19.8 17.2 17.1 17.0 19.2 Despite the evidence of the impact that infrastructure indirect 2.0 2.7 2.1 2.2 1.8 2.8 and education investments can have on our region’s induced 7.3 9.0 7.7 7.7 7.5 8.8 economy, tax incentives and subsidies remain a large part of the economic development toolbox in the New Early childhood spending England states.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • 2018 ANNUAL REPORT Our Mission
    2018 ANNUAL REPORT Our Mission Higher education is New England’s most critical sustainable resource. The region’s governors knew that over 60 years ago when they founded the New England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE). Today, NEBHE promotes greater education opportunities and services for the residents of New England and its more than 270 colleges and universities. It works across the six New England states to help leaders assess, develop and implement sound education practices and policies of regional significance; to promote regional cooperation and programs that encourage the efficient use and sharing of educational resources; and to strengthen the relationship between higher education and the economic well-being and quality of life in New England. Six New England governors’ signatures authorize the original compact founding NEBHE. 2 NEW ENGLAND BOARD OF HIGHER EDUCATION Table of Contents About Us Message from the President...................................................................................................... 2 Message from the Chair ............................................................................................................ 3 NEBHE: Created for Leadership ............................................................................................... 4 Our History ................................................................................................................................ 5 Affordability + Savings Regional Student Program Tuition Break .................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Apples Abound
    APPLES ABOUND: FARMERS, ORCHARDS, AND THE CULTURAL LANDSCAPES OF AGRARIAN REFORM, 1820-1860 A Dissertation Presented to The Graduate Faculty of The University of Akron In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy John Henris May, 2009 APPLES ABOUND: FARMERS, ORCHARDS, AND THE CULTURAL LANDSCAPES OF AGRARIAN REFORM, 1820-1860 John Henris Dissertation Approved: Accepted: ____________________________ ____________________________ Advisor Department Chair Dr. Kevin Kern Dr. Michael M. Sheng ____________________________ ____________________________ Committee Member Dean of the College Dr. Lesley J. Gordon Dr. Chand Midha ____________________________ ____________________________ Committee Member Dean of the Graduate School Dr. Kim M. Gruenwald Dr. George R. Newkome ____________________________ ____________________________ Committee Member Date Dr. Elizabeth Mancke ____________________________ Committee Member Dr. Randy Mitchell ____________________________ Committee Member Dr. Gregory Wilson ii ABSTRACT This dissertation argues that apple cultivation was invariably intertwined with, and shaped by, the seemingly discordant threads of scientific agricultural specialization, emigration, urbanization, sectionalism, moral reform, and regional identity in New England and Ohio prior to the American Civil War. As the temperance cause gained momentum during the 1820s many farmers abandoned their cider trees and transitioned to the cultivation of grafted winter apples in New England. In turn agricultural writers used
    [Show full text]
  • Connecticut Defense Industry and Economic Contributions to the State Is Structured in Two Parts
    The Defense Industry in Connecticut Sponsors This study was funded in part by the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, Inc.; MassDevelopment on behalf of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development; and The Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation and The Newport County Chamber of Commerce. About the Defense Technology Initiative Founded in 2003, DTI was originally created by the Massachusetts High Technology Council to protect Massachusetts’ military bases through the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process. Following that successful and nationally-recognized effort, DTI evolved into an economic development and sector advocacy organization that represents the region’s leading defense technology firms, research labs, universities, and military bases. Produced by the Economic and Public Policy Research Unit, University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute Copyright 2012 University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute The contents of this publication may not be reproduced without permission. UMass Donahue Institute Economic & Public Policy i The Defense Industry in Connecticut Letter Dear Colleague: The Defense Technology Initiative (DTI) is pleased to release a set of three detailed state reports on the economic significance of the defense industry in New England. This document is one of three related reports, each of which focuses on Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island and is a follow up to the New England Defense Industry Summary we released in June 2012. When these reports are viewed together, a clear sense of the interconnectedness of the New England defense technology cluster emerges. Copies of all state reports, conducted by the University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute, can be found on our website, www.defensetech.net.
    [Show full text]
  • Women at the Looms: an Analysis of Gender, Capital, and Textiles in 19Th Century New England
    Women at the Looms: An Analysis of Gender, Capital, and Textiles in 19th Century New England William Amara May 1, 2017 A senior thesis, submitted to the History Department of Brandeis University, in partial fulfillment of the Bachelor of Arts degree. Introduction: Gender, Capital, and Textiles “I can see myself now” wrote Harriet Hanson Robinson in 1898, “racing down the alley, between the spinning-frames, carrying in front of me a bobbin-box bigger than I was”.1 Harriet Robinson was a woman who worked in the textile mills of Lowell, Massachusetts, beginning at age 10. Many years later, she wrote a detailed memoir chronicling how the world in which she lived had changed since her employment in the mills. According to Robinson, before the mills opened in Lowell, the people of New England led lives not much different from their ancestors: they travelled only as fast as a canal boat, often bartered instead of using money, and wore clothes made at home.2 Only a child, Harriet began working in the Tremont Corporation as a “doffer,” or someone who carried bobbins, the cylinders which held yarn, between the looms in 1831 after her father died. Although she worked from 5am to 7pm every day except Sunday, she moved the bobbins for 15 minutes and spent 45 minutes of each hour not working.3 While Harriet Robinson’s experience in a Lowell mill was exceptional because she recorded the details of it so vividly in her memoir Loom and Spindle, the conditions she encountered were shared by ​ ​ many other “mill girls.” Lucy Larcom was another young woman who worked in the textile mills of Lowell.
    [Show full text]
  • The 2012 Feinberg Lecture Series: Truth, Reconciliation, History, Justice
    The 2012 Report from the Department of History The 2012 Feinberg Lecture Series: Truth, Reconciliation, History, Justice hanks to the generosity of our honored Our own Professor John Higginson fa- Talumnus Kenneth R. Feinberg ’67, 02H, cilitated a discussion of Facing the Truth, a film every two years UMass Amherst’s Department on the South African Truth and Reconciliation of History organizes a Feinberg Family Distin- Commission. We offered a cluster of events on guished Lecture Series. Past series have explored Greensboro, N.C., beginning with a screening the history of school desegregation, 1960s politi- of the filmGreensboro: Closer to the Truth that cal activism, the value of human life, and sports included an appearance by its director, Adam in history. Zucker. As this is being written we look forward This year’s series, “Truth and Reconcilia- to a guest lecture by Rev. Nelson N. Johnson and tion, History and Justice,” deals with attempts Mrs. Joyce H. Johnson of Greensboro’s Beloved to achieve truth and reconciliation in the wake Community Center and the formal opening of of violent and traumatic historical events. So the Greensboro Justice Fund archives. far the series has been tremendously success- The series will conclude with two events. On ful: most of its events have been packed with November 13 the panel “Is the U.S. Ready for students, faculty, and community members, the Truth and Reconciliation?” will address slavery, talks have all been followed by lively Q&A ses- Jim Crow, political prisoners, and Guantanamo. sions, and we have received much enthusiastic And on December 5 noted historians will pres- feedback from attendees.
    [Show full text]
  • {TEXTBOOK} from Slavery to Freedom a History of African
    FROM SLAVERY TO FREEDOM A HISTORY OF AFRICAN AMERICANS, VOLUME 1 9TH EDITION PDF, EPUB, EBOOK John Hope Franklin | --- | --- | --- | 9780077407513 | --- | --- From Slavery to Freedom | Senator John Heinz History Center Its leaves are used to make hats, nets, baskets, etc. The wood is used for logs, in structures such as forts, wharves, and under water structures. The leaves or palm of the tree is used in roof thatches. The cabbage or vegetable of the tree is edible when ripe. It is also used to make fertilizer. The American chestnut tree produces an edible nut and grown throughout the territory from Florida to Pennsylvania. Eaten raw, roasted or boiled the chestnut was a source of protein. The roots contain an astringent agent and are boiled with milk to treat children diarrhea and teething. The nuts are also used in breads and as animal feed. The bark of the tree used as a product for tanning leather. The wood was used in various carpentry applications such as fence posts. Hickory tree wood and bark was used to make dye, tools, soaps, baskets, food, oil, furniture, axe handles, wagons, and rope. Tree bark was a common source for dyes. In addition to the dye the toxic plant was also cultivated for its medicinal properties as well. The Sugar maple is primarily a northern tree but had been found sparingly in South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, and at the head waters of Cooper River. The sugar extracted from it is an article of trade and used medicinally also. The wood is esteemed in the manufacture of saddle-trees.
    [Show full text]
  • Visions: Reflections on the Past, Predictions of the Future
    Visions: Reflections on the Past, Predictions of the Future o mark NEBHE’s 50th anniversary year, CONNECTION invited a small group of visionary commentators to submit short “statements” on the future of New England’s economic and civic development, Ttomorrow’s technologies and the changing shape of higher education … “NEBHE” to bring these inventive New Englanders In Search of New NEBHEs together, to play the convener role, to forge collabora- NEAL PEIRCE AND CURTIS JOHNSON tions that reduce the region’s energy vulnerability? NEBHE at 50—survivor of several economic ups and • Maine figured out how to give I-95-weary tourists a downs and the comings and goings of many a political rail alternative to get to its seductive coastal hide- regime—stands as the region’s best evidence that con- aways, but finds resources hard to come by. Boston, necting New England assets pays off. pockets picked bare by the Big Dig, debates whether The next 50 years will be tougher. There is no prece- to build a rail connection between North and South dent for what New England faces if it hopes to add stations or build the circumferential ring through the new chapters to its success story. The region has to suburbs. Connecticut spends millions on a freeway flat-out commit to getting every willing young person interchange to a road that’s not going to be built, prepared with an appropriate college education. This while Bradley airport lacks vital rail connections. will require not only money, but also transformative Where is the “NEBHE” to make sense of this hash, to institutional changes.
    [Show full text]
  • Sheep and Wool in Nineteenth-Century Falmouth, MA: Examining the Collapse of a Cape Cod Industry Leo Patrick Ledwell University of Massachusetts Boston
    University of Massachusetts Boston ScholarWorks at UMass Boston Graduate Masters Theses Doctoral Dissertations and Masters Theses 8-1-2012 Sheep and Wool in Nineteenth-Century Falmouth, MA: Examining the Collapse of a Cape Cod Industry Leo Patrick Ledwell University of Massachusetts Boston Follow this and additional works at: http://scholarworks.umb.edu/masters_theses Part of the Archaeological Anthropology Commons, and the United States History Commons Recommended Citation Ledwell, Leo Patrick, "Sheep and Wool in Nineteenth-Century Falmouth, MA: Examining the Collapse of a Cape Cod Industry" (2012). Graduate Masters Theses. Paper 121. This Open Access Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Doctoral Dissertations and Masters Theses at ScholarWorks at UMass Boston. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Masters Theses by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at UMass Boston. For more information, please contact [email protected]. SHEEP AND WOOL IN NINETEENTH-CENTURY FALMOUTH, MA: EXAMINING THE COLLAPSE OF A CAPE COD INDUSTRY A Thesis Presented by LEO PATRICK LEDWELL, JR. Submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies, University of Massachusetts Boston in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF ARTS August 2012 Historical Archaeology Program © 2012 by Leo Patrick Ledwell, Jr. All rights reserved SHEEP AND WOOL IN NINETEENTH-CENTURYFALMOUTH, MA: EXAMINING THE COLLAPSE OF A CAPE COD INDUSTRY A Thesis Presented by LEO PATRICK LEDWELL, JR. Approved as to style and content by: _______________________________________________
    [Show full text]
  • Jobs in the Creative Economy
    THE JOBS IN NEW ENGLAND’S CREATIVE ECONOMY AND WHY THEY MATTER Produced for the New England Foundation for the Arts By the Economic and Public Policy Research Group of the UMass Donahue Institute JUNE 2017 Table of Contents List of Figures 3 List of Tables 4 About the Findings 6 History and Contextualization of Creative Economy Research 10 About the Report 14 Definitions 18 Summary of Findings 22 Snapshot of the Current State of New England’s Creative Economy 22 Change of the Creative Economy Over Time 24 The Current Creative Economy 26 Creative Enterprises 27 Creative Economy Industry Groups 32 Creative Nonemployer Establishments 36 Geographic Analysis of Creative Economy Enterprises 38 Creative Occupations in New England's Businesses 41 Industries Employing Creative Workers 51 The Change of the Creative Economy over Time 56 Change in Creative Enterprise Payroll Employment Since 2007 57 Industries That Comprise the Creative Economy 60 Change in Creative Enterprise Employment by Industry Group, 2007-2015 63 Growing Occupations in New England, 2007 – 2015 70 Long-Term Trends in the Creative Economy, 2000 through 2015 72 Creative Workforce Characteristics 78 Demographic Characteristics 79 Creatives Count Survey: Worker Resources and Needs 83 Methodology 98 Acknowledgments 108 References and Related Reading 110 Appendix 111 Lessons Learned & Advice for Future Researchers 111 Appendix A - Creative Economy Profile Detail, New England and the U.S., 2007-2015 117 Appendix B - Creative Economy in the New England States 146 Appendix C - Geographic
    [Show full text]
  • Currency Policies and Legal Development in Colonial New England
    Article Currency Policies and Legal Development in Colonial New England Claire Priestt CONTENTS I. THE EFFECTS OF CURRENCY SCARCITY ON MARKETS AND THE L AW ........................................................................................... 13 17 A. Barter, the Cost of Transacting,and Market Development ....... 1318 B. Public and Private Responses to Currency Scarcity in ColonialMassachusetts Priorto the Issuance of P ublic Currency ......................................................................... 1321 C. ColonialJudicial Remedies Before Widespread Public Currency Circulation................................................................. 1332 D. Assessing the Costs of Monetary Scarcity .................................. 1335 1. The Limitations of Money Substitutes .................................. 1335 2. Economics Scholarship on ColonialEconomic Growth...... 1339 II. PUBLIC PAPER MONEY ISSUANCE AND ITS EFFECT ON LITIGATION PATTERNS ..................................................................... 1342 A. The Demandfor GreaterCurrency ............................................ 1343 f Samuel I. Golieb Fellow, New York University School of Law. I wish to thank Christine Desan, Robert Gordon, Timothy Guinnanc, Ronald Michener, Edmund Morgan, Carol Rose, Susan Rose-Ackerman, Christopher Tomlins, James Whitman, and Sean Wilentz for providing valuable comments and encouragement. I am also grateful for the contributions of seminar participants at NYU's Legal History Colloquium, the John M. Olin Summer Fellows program at
    [Show full text]
  • State of the Arts and Culture
    The Class of 1964 Policy Research Shop —Celebrating 10 Years of Service to New Hampshire and Vermont— STATE OF THE ARTS AND CULTURE An Economic Assessment of New Hampshire’s Arts and Culture Industries Presented to the New Hampshire Arts and Culture Commission PRS Policy Brief 1516-07 May 2, 2016 Edited August 4, 2016 Prepared By: Abigail Rohman Amy Ruining Sun Taylor Watson This report was written by undergraduate students at Dartmouth College under the direction of professors in the Rockefeller Center. Policy Research Shop (PRS) students produce non-partisan policy analyses and present their findings in a non-advocacy manner. The PRS is fully endowed by the Dartmouth Class of 1964 through a class gift in celebration of its 50th Anniversary given to the Center. This endowment ensures that the Policy Research Shop will continue to produce high-quality, non-partisan policy research for policymakers in New Hampshire and Vermont. The PRS was previously funded by major grants from the U.S. Department of Education, Fund for the Improvement of Post-Secondary Education (FIPSE) and from the Ford Foundation and by initial seed grants from the Surdna Foundation and the Lintilhac Foundation. Since its inception in 2005, PRS students have invested more than 50,000 hours to produce more than 130 policy briefs for policymakers in New Hampshire and Vermont. Contact: Nelson A. Rockefeller Center, 6082 Rockefeller Hall, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755 http://rockefeller.dartmouth.edu/shop/ • Email: [email protected] TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1 1. INTRODUCTION 1 DEFINING ARTS AND CULTURE FOR THE HB 279 COMMISSION 1 2.
    [Show full text]
  • Remaking Boston: Remaking Massachusetts” Historical Journal of Massachusetts Volume 42, No
    Brian M. Donahue, “Remaking Boston: Remaking Massachusetts” Historical Journal of Massachusetts Volume 42, No. 2 (Summer 2014). Published by: Institute for Massachusetts Studies and Westfield State University You may use content in this archive for your personal, non-commercial use. Please contact the Historical Journal of Massachusetts regarding any further use of this work: [email protected] Funding for digitization of issues was provided through a generous grant from MassHumanities. Some digitized versions of the articles have been reformatted from their original, published appearance. When citing, please give the original print source (volume/ number/ date) but add "retrieved from HJM's online archive at http://www.wsc.ma.edu/mhj. 14 Historical Journal of Massachusetts • Summer 2014 Reproduced with the permission of the University of Pittsburgh Press The book can be ordered from www.upress.pitt.edu/. 15 EDITOR’S CHOICE Remaking Boston: Remaking Massachusetts ANTHONY N. PENNA AND CONRAD EDICK WRIGHT Editor’s Introduction: Our Editor’s Choice book selection for this issue is Remaking Boston: An Environmental History of the City and its Surroundings, edited by Anthony N. Penna and Conrad Edick Wright and published by the University of Pittsburgh Press (2009). As one reviewer commented, “If you want to find a single volume containing the widest-ranging and most thought-provoking environmental history of Boston and its surrounding communities, then this is the book you should choose.” The publisher’s description is worth quoting in full: Since its settlement in 1630, Boston, its harbor, and outlying regions have witnessed a monumental transformation at the hands of humans and by nature.
    [Show full text]