Latino Community Drives Economic Growth in Massachusetts, Report Finds
A recent report highlights the pivotal role of Massachusetts’ Hispanic and Latino residents in the state’s economic growth. Though they represent only 13.5% of the population, this demographic contributed a remarkable 26%—approximately $30 billion—of the state’s GDP from 2014 to 2023. The April report, “¡Vamos Massachusetts!,” crafted by the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation with input from local nonprofit We Are ALX, underscores the need for further investment to harness this economic potential.
Eneida Roman, CEO of We Are ALX, emphasized the importance of recognizing the significant contributions of the Latino community, describing it as “the secret sauce” for addressing the state’s labor shortages. The report noted a 30% increase in the Hispanic and Latino population, which has also accounted for 60% of new job growth. Despite their achievements in educational attainment and entrepreneurship, gaps in wages and educational success remain, costing the state valuable revenue.
Policymakers are urged to bridge these gaps through targeted investments in education and job training, particularly in emerging sectors like clean energy and life sciences, to unlock the full potential of this growing community. The emphasis is on translating economic contributions into long-term workforce engagement.
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