Board of Directors Updates | December 16, 2020
The Alliance announces the addition of six new business leaders to our Board of Directors: Chenelle Brown, Gustavo Quiroga, Keith Chaney, Tito Jackson, Juana Matias, and Priscilla Rojas.
Read the press release here.
State House News | December 14, 2020
In Tight Vote, MBTA Board Agrees to Cut Service
“Despite strong pushback, the MBTA is barreling ahead with significant service reductions early next year, cutting the frequency of subway and bus trips, some commuter rail weekend service, ferry schedules and more in an attempt to reduce costs amid a pandemic-fueled budget crunch. Jen Benson, a former state representative and president of the Alliance for Business Leadership, said Monday evening that the cuts ‘will set us back in our efforts to make our transit systems more accessible and equitable.”
“Despite assurances from MBTA leadership, these cuts will be difficult to reverse and will alter the commutes of thousands of people, pushing more of them away from public transit and into cars,” Benson said in a statement. “Many commuters, including essential workers, will be stranded without late-night and weekend commuter rail service, and more riders will be crowded onto fewer subway cars. With today’s news that the first COVID-19 vaccines are being administered in the U.S., we should be preparing for the recovery to begin, not surrendering our public services to the pandemic.”
The Boston Globe | November 13, 2020
Letter: Proposed MBTA cuts would make nagging concerns even worse
ABL Board Member and housing and transportation advocate Chenelle Brown of CMBG3 Law makes the case that planned MBTA service cuts would worsen inequity and harm our economy.
Gloucester Times | October 20, 2020
Transit advocates call for hold on T cuts, fare hikes
“Transportation advocates are calling on the MBTA not to raise fares or cut service as the agency wrestles with massive budget gaps. Jennifer Benson, president of the Alliance for Business Leadership, told the board that riders, especially those who work in health care and other jobs on the front lines of the pandemic, ‘need to be able to count on reliable, frequent and affordable transportation options.’ The coalition has asked the T’s control board to postpone any long-term decisions regarding fare hikes or service cuts until the Legislature can consider financial relief for the agency, and to continue making long-term investments such as electrification of the commuter rail.”
Boston Business Journal | July 29, 2020
Viewpoint: A cleaner economy must be a priority as we rebuild Mass.
Alliance Board member Dan Wolf and Alliance members Scott Graves and Tedd Saunders argue that now is a rare opportunity for Massachusetts to build back a more equitable and sustainable economy by focusing on environmental justice and aggressive emissions reduction policies.
Worcester Telegram & Gazette | July 14, 2020
Letter: Environmental issues must not be lost in pandemic recovery
Alliance President Jennifer Benson makes the case that now is the time to focus on clean energy solutions to protect vulnerable communities and stimulate the economy.
“By doubling down on our investment in clean technology and efficiency programs and creating job training pathways and opportunities for communities and businesses of all sizes to engage, we can accelerate our recovery and build a more resilient, equitable and sustainable economy that will empower us to weather future crises.”
WPKZ Fitchburg | July 14, 2020
Radio: Jen Benson of the Alliance For Business Leadership and Scott Graves of the Wachusett Business Incubator
Alliance President Jennifer Benson and Alliance member Scott Graves discuss clean energy, transportation, economic development, and how businesses are coping through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lowell Sun / State House News | July 1, 2020
Divided lawmakers agree on goal: climate bill in 2020
“On Tuesday, members of the Northeast Clean Energy Council, the Alliance for Business Leadership, Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy, and the Climate Action Business Association convened lawmakers, administration officials, business owners and industry experts to discuss clean energy priorities and how to advance a clean energy agenda despite the pandemic. Following a speaking program, 165 business owners and executives planned to meet virtually with a slew of key lawmakers to discuss specifics.”
ABL Updates | July 1, 2020
The Alliance for Business Leadership (ABL) is excited to announce that the Wachusett Business Incubator (WBI) has joined the organization of progressive business leaders.
The Wachusett Business Incubator was founded in 2015 and fosters economic growth in North Central Massachusetts by providing targeted assistance to entrepreneurs and inventors in the region.
Boston Business Journal | June 11, 2020
Viewpoint: Cost of housing is a cornerstone recovery issue
Alliance President Jennifer Benson and Alliance Board of Directors Chair David Gasson lay out the reasons why housing is key to economic recovery coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, and discuss the recovery as an opportunity to address long-standing structural problems with how we prioritize, build, and think about housing.
ABL Updates | June 1, 2020
The Alliance for Business Leadership stands with the thousands of demonstrators who are coming together peaceably in Boston and across the country to demand justice for the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and many others.
Black voices and lives matter.
We will examine how we can best support policy reforms to address excessive force, racial profiling, and racism in our institutions. We formally support Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley’s House resolution condemning police brutality and calling for accountability from our criminal justice system. We will work to amplify the voices of Black leaders in Massachusetts with a particular emphasis on our role in supporting Black business leaders.
As we work to build trust in our institutions and cooperation among communities, we must ensure that every person and business has the same opportunity to thrive in the Commonwealth.
As a coalition of progressive business leaders, we are recommitting ourselves to the values of diversity and opportunity for all. We encourage our members and the Massachusetts business community to explore resources on how we can work together to address inequality and institutional racism.
Lowell Sun | May 17, 2020
Letter: COVID-19’s unequal effects in Massachusetts
Alliance President Jennifer Benson links the unequal impact of COVID-19 to the climate crisis and calls for solutions to help us build back better.
“As we chart a way forward to recover from the COVID-19 crisis and rebuild our economy, we should prioritize investments that will help mitigate the effects of the other crisis looming over us: climate change. If we can get the policy right, we will better prepare all of our communities for the impacts of the climate crisis, create economic growth, improve public health, and lead to a more sustainable and resilient Commonwealth.”
Board of Directors Updates | April 15, 2020
The Alliance announces a new Chair and Treasurer of the Board of Directors.
Read the press release here.
Staff Updates | December 19, 2019
The Alliance announces a new president, former State Representative Jennifer Benson.
Read the press release here.
Gloucester Daily Times | July 26, 2019
Letter: Update antiquated zoning laws
Alliance Vice President of Policy & Operations Meagan Greene calls for updating zoning laws.
Boston Business Journal | July 18, 2019
Business leaders meet with Mayor Walsh to push for transit fixes
Alliance members took a ride on an MBTA Bus to City Hall for a meeting with Boston Mayor Marty Walsh to discuss how transportation impacts business and the economy.
Boston Business Journal | July 11, 2019
Viewpoint: Mass. must double down on clean energy efforts
ABL member, and former Massachusetts Secretary of Energy and Environment, Maeve Bartlett, outlines the importance of investing in offshore wind.
The Wall Street Journal | July 11, 2019
Boston’s Frustrations With Transit Mount After Derailment
Alliance board member C.A. Webb discusses the economic consequences of a failing transit system.
Commonwealth Magazine | July 9, 2019
Consider the benefit of water transit
Alliance President Jesse Mermell teams up with Lynn Mayor Thomas McGee to call for ferries to be a piece to the Commonwealth’s transportation network.
WGBH | July 2, 2019
Business Groups Push For Improvements To MBTA
Alliance President Jesse Mermell comments on the growing transportation crisis and the role businesses must play.
Herald Times | June 27, 2019
Time to maximize benefits of offshore wind power
Alliance Vice President of Policy and Operations Meagan Greene discusses why investing in offshore wind energy will boost our economy.
Newburyport News | June 26, 2019
Time to ‘double down’ on renewable energy
Alliance Vice President of Policy and Operations Meagan Greene discusses why investing in clean energy will help our environment and our economy.
MassLive | June 25, 2019
High cost of housing stifles Massachusetts economy
Alliance Vice President of Policy and Operations Meagan Greene comments on a recent report highlighting how expensive it is to live in Massachusetts and how it’s hurting our economy.
WGBH | June 19, 2019
Should Beacon Hill Mandate Gender Diversity on Public Boards?
Alliance President Jesse Mermell discusses how requiring public boards to have a minimum number of women is good for business.
The Boston Globe | June 18, 2019
Boys in the boardroom, consider yourself warned
Alliance President Jesse Mermell discusses how requiring public and private boards to have a minimum number of women is good for business.
Gloucester Times | June 4, 2019
An opportunity for clean power
Alliance Programming and Development Assistant Andrew Robitaille discusses the impact potential investments in clean energy could have on the economy.
WGBH | June 3, 2019
Massachusetts millennials lead the way toward a renewable future
Alliance member Igor Kharitonenkov discusses why Massachusetts should transition to 100 percent renewable energy.
Salem News | May 21, 2019
Housing prices are hurting local businesses
Alliance Vice President of Policy & Operations, Meagan Greene, discusses the lack of affordable housing in Massachusetts and what that means for businesses.
Taunton Gazette | May 16, 2019
Transitioning to a clean energy future will benefit state’s economy
Alliance Programming and Development Assistant Andrew Robitaille discusses how investing in clean energy can save Massachusetts billions in damage costs and create jobs that will boost the economy.
State House News Service | May 9, 2019
Coalition outlines clean energy priorities
Alliance President Jesse Mermell comments on the growing clean energy sector in Massachusetts and various cost-effective clean energy solutions to reduce carbon emissions.
Winchester Wicked Local | May 9, 2019
Invest in renewable energy sources for ‘real change’
Alliance Vice President of Policy and Operations Meagan Greene urges Massachusetts communities to double down on their commitments to investing in clean energy.
Barnstable Patriot | May 8, 2019
Alliance Programming and Development Assistant Andrew Robitaille discusses the urgent need to invest in a clean energy future for the health of the environment and economy.
Taunton Gazette | May 7, 2019
Taunton setting a great example regarding renewable energy
Alliance Vice President of Policy and Operations Meagan Greene discusses how investing in renewable energy sources can benefit the economy while helping mitigate negative effects of climate change.
WBUR | May 6, 2019
Finding one solution to Boston’s travel woes – in Mexico City
Alliance President Jesse Mermell discusses her experience in Mexico City and their Metrobus bus rapid transit system. Describes the elements of good BRT and how it’s slowly coming to Boston.
WBUR | April 29, 2019
Bad traffic is bad for business. Boston execs went to Mexico City in search of fixes
Part 3 of a series detailing ABL’s trip to Mexico City to study their innovative bus rapid transit system. Alliance President, Jesse Mermell, discusses how a bad transportation system negatively affects businesses and why leaders should pay attention to it.
WBUR | April 29, 2019
What Boston can learn from Mexico City’s bus rapid transit system
Part 2 of a series detailing ABL’s trip to Mexico City to study their innovative bus rapid transit system and how elements of BRT can be applied to the MBTA to improve our congestion woes.
WBUR | April 29, 2019
How bus rapid transit eased Mexico City’s grueling commutes
Part 1 of a series detailing ABL’s trip to Mexico City to study their innovative bus rapid transit system and how buses have drastically changed the city’s congestion.
Lowell Sun | April 24, 2019
Poll: Mass. residents fed up with transportation woes
ABL President, Jesse Mermell, comments on a new poll released from MassINC highlighting the growing frustration of residents with the Massachusetts transportation system.
Commonwealth Magazine | April 22, 2019
More than ever, Earth Day needs to be about the next generation
ABL member and President of Project Repat, Nathan Rothstein, discusses the importance of pursuing a clean energy future to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Boston Business Journal | April 2, 2019
Top business groups take different roads to solve transportation
ABL teamed up with the Kendall Square Association to convene a diverse cross-section of MA business leaders with the goal of crafting a proposal for moving transportation forward in the Commonwealth.
The Boston Globe | March 5, 2019
Teamwork makes Lawrence a city on the move
ABL Board Member Jeff Bussgang and Lawrence Leads participant Wendy Estrella highlight the Lawrence Leads project and the city’s potential for economic growth.
Daily Hampshire Gazette | March 5, 2019
Guest Column Sara Ross: State should embrace clean energy potential for climate, economy
Alliance for Business Leadership member Sara Ross of Sungage Financial discusses the urgent need to address climate change by transitioning to a clean energy economy.
The Daily Free Press | February 26, 2019
Local business coalition looks to benefit Boston without big name corporations
The Alliance for Business Leadership hosts a panel discussion on the Amazon HQ2 Proposal to discuss how to lift up local businesses without relying on corporations.
The Boston Globe | February 20, 2019
Developers are scrambling to find the next Kendall Square. Where will it be?
Alliance Board member, C.A. Webb, discusses Kendall Square’s potential to become a regional and national hub of life and health science research.
Boston Business Journal | February 15, 2019
Viewpoint: Boston needs leadership diversity by design
Alliance Board member, Andrea Silbert, addresses the urgent need for CEOs and Boards across the state to make room for women and people of color.
WBUR | February 15, 2019
Amazon and GE Cutbacks Are A Lesson For Cities Offering Big Incentives
Alliance President, Jesse Mermell, calls for community engagement both for businesses moving to Massachusetts and the communities trying to woo them.
Boston Business Journal | February 14, 2019
Outside the Box: Jesse Mermell is one active activist
Jim Morrison spoke with Alliance for Business Leadership President, Jesse Mermell, about her career of advocacy and activism.
WBUR | February 12, 2019
New Study Finds Boston Has The Worst Traffic In The Country
Alliance for Business Leadership President, Jesse Mermell, discusses the results from a new INRIX study that finds Boston to have the worst rush hour traffic in the country.
Patriot Ledger | February 11, 2019
Kudos to the South Shore Chamber of Commerce
Andrew Robitaille, Programming and Development Assistant for the Alliance, discusses the South Shore Chamber of Commerce’s commitment to creating affordable housing.
Berkshire Eagle | February 8, 2019
Housing, Transportation critical to Massachusetts’ growth
Vice President of Policy and Operations, Meagan Greene, calls attention to the lack of affordable housing and transportation connectivity between regions in the Commonwealth.
Boston Herald | February 5, 2019
Economic growth and social reform can go hand in hand
The Alliance for Business Leadership is highlighted for its work convening progressive business leaders to bring together social responsibility and economic growth.
MassLive | January 15, 2019
Gov. Charlie Baker and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh are taking a ‘road trip’ to Washington D.C.
Following the Mayor’s State of the City Address, Alliance President, Jesse Mermell, discusses the pressing need for solutions to issues of transportation.
Boston Business Journal | January 11, 2019
Alliance Vice President of Policy and Operations, Meagan Greene, urges Massachusetts to not gloss over transportation and housing infrastructure problems.
Medium | January 2, 2019
New Year, New Housing Solutions
Alliance Vice President of Policy and Operations, Meagan Greene, discusses the lack of affordable housing units in Massachusetts and its negative effects on our economy.
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