Southeast/Cape & Islands

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Competitive Advantages

Industry Sectors & Work Force
Location and Infrastructure
Lower Business Cost Structure
Quality of Life
Business Resources


Location and Infrastructure
The Southeastern region benefits from its proximity to two major metropolitan areas, Boston and Providence, Rhode Island. The region's extensive highway network provides excellent access to southern New England's major cities and to international airports in Boston and Providence. Deep-water ports in Fall River and New Bedford offer access to world markets. Designated as a Foreign Trade Zone, New Bedford is overnight delivery away from most major cities in the U.S. Northeast industrial corridor, and is a direct port of entry to Europe and Latin America. Furthermore, the region is served by Amtrak to New York and Washington, and by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority commuter rail service to Boston.

Industry Sectors & Work Force
The Southeastern region benefits from a large, diverse pool of over 500,000 private sector employees. Furthermore, the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute and Marine Biological Laboratory, Bridgewater State College, and the Massachusetts Maritime Academy promote education and research in key regional industries such as textiles, marine science, high technology and environmental technology. These educational institutions, through programs like UMass Dartmouth's Advanced Technology & Manufacturing Center, School for Marine Science and Technology, and the federally-designated Northeastern Regional Aquaculture Center, provide specialized training to help industries expand and modernize. The region is home to Aerovox, Ocean Spray Cranberries, Quaker Fabric Corporation, and Titleist Golf. The Cape & Islands are home to a thriving visitor industry and a strong real estate market, fueled by second homeowners and retirees. Improving job opportunities in service, retail and healthcare continue to be the result of this population growth. The region has an exceptional concentration of machine operators and precision craft labor, making its labor force particularly suited to manufacturing industries.

Lower Business Cost Structure
With the exception of the Cape & Islands, the Southeastern region has a lower overall business cost structure than many major metropolitan areas in the Northeast. The region offers relatively low housing, construction, and land costs, as well as comparatively lower wage rates for skilled labor in a highly accessible location.

Quality of Life
Residents of the southeast region, including Cape Cod and the Islands, benefit from the region's exceptional physical beauty and recreational resources. The beaches, historic seaside communities, and unique scenic landscapes are central to its tourism, and provide a significant advantage in attracting and retaining qualified employees. Cape Cod National Seashore, Martha's Vineyard, Plimoth Plantation, and the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park are among the region's popular attractions. The region offers a wide variety of residential options within a short drive to both Boston and Providence, Rhode Island.

Business Resources:

Cape Cod Commission

Cape Cod Technology Council

Coastal Community Capital

EntreCenter

Martha's Vineyard Commission

Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership

Old Colony Planning Council

SouthCoast Development Partnership

Southeast/Cape & Islands Chambers of Commerce

Southeastern Regional Planning & Economic Development District

Taunton Development Corporation

Massachusetts Office of Business Development
Southeastern Regional Office
Tel: (508) 997-1438, Fax: (508) 997-3067