Blog & News

Immigration

TPS for Haitians Has Ended. What’s Next for Employers?

By Brooke Thomson President & CEO Temporary Protected Status (TPS) has ended for approximately 10,000 people from Haiti…

Business Confidence Strengthens Again in July

Massachusetts business confidence rose for a fourth consecutive month during July as both the state and national economies…

Economic Development | Massachusetts Legislature | Public Policy

Key Bills Remain Active as Legislature Ends Formal Sessions

Proposals to make significant investments in growth industries, establish reasonable regulation of data privacy and reduce the cost…

Human Resources | Workforce

Ask the Helpline: Annual Beneficiary Reviews

Question Why Should HR Remind Employees to Review Their Beneficiary Designations Every Year? Answer Beneficiary designations determine who…

Government Proposes Eliminating EEO Reporting Requirements

On July 21, 2026, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) voted 2-1 to move forward with a proposal…

Employment Law | Human Resources | Workforce

DOL Opinion Letters Address Commuting, Remote Work, Travel Time

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) continues to issue opinion letters explaining how federal wage-and-hour laws apply to…

International

Tariffs: Here We Go Again

By Brooke Thomson President & CEO Here we go again. At a time when many Massachusetts businesses are…

Immigration

Business Leaders Ask President for TPS Transition Period

July 20, 2026 Dear Mr. President: As the Supreme Court recently confirmed, the Constitution gives you the authority…

International

Diplomats Back Renewal of US-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement

Mexican Consul General Carlos Iriarte Mercado, left, and Canadian Consul General Bernadette Jordan speak to an audience of…

Economic Development

House Passes $561 Million Economic-Development Measure

By Sam Larson Senior Vice President, Government Affairs  The Massachusetts House of Representatives passed its economic development bond bill (H.5562) on July 8, capping…

Manufacturing

Manufacturers State Their Case at the State House

By Brooke Thomson President and CEO Reports of the death of manufacturing in Massachusetts are apparently greatly exaggerated….

Business Confidence | Economy

Massachusetts Employers Turn Optimistic in June

Massachusetts employers last month turned optimistic for the first time since February despite expressing concern about international conflicts…

Manufacturing

Excellence in Manufacturing: Plansee Makes Strong Metals for Strong Products

The materials that Plansee Group produces from powder metallurgy seem taken from a science fiction novel – molybdenum,…

Economy | Public Policy

Continuing the Struggle for Economic Competitiveness

By Brooke Thomson President & CEO When the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court disqualified a tax-reduction ballot question two…

Employment Law | Human Resources

New DOL Opinion Letters Clarify Overtime, Travel Time, and Pre-Shift Work

Note: This is general guidance, not legal advice. Consult your employment lawyer about your specific situation. Your warehouse…

Employment Law | Human Resources

Ask the Helpline: When an Employee Declines an ADA Accommodation

Question An employee recently told us they have a medical condition that may affect their ability to perform…

Education

Business, Education Leaders Support Graduation Standards

Business and higher education leaders across Massachusetts issued a joint statement calling for the state to ensure all…

Housing

State High Court Blocks Rent-Control Question from Ballot

Associated Industries of Massachusetts is gratified that the state Supreme Judicial Court ruled today that a rent-control referendum…

Education | Technology

Amazon Awards $40,000 Scholarships to Five Massachusetts Computer Science/Engineering Students

Amazon has named five recent Massachusetts high school graduates from Boston, Amherst, Braintree, Lexington, and Brockton as Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship recipients for 2026. Each will receive up to $40,000 over four years to…

International | Manufacturing

Excellence in Manufacturing: Tech Etch

By Brooke Thomson President & CEO Tech Etch in many ways mirrors the evolution of the Massachusetts economy….

Economy

AIM CEO on the Economy – Play to Your Strengths

Editor’s note – The following is the text of speech delivered by AIM CEO Brooke Thomson to the…