POPULATION: 6,437,193

LABOR FORCE: 3,294,200

RIGHT TO WORK: No

TRADITIONAL INDUSTRIES: Healthcare, financial services, higher education, travel and tourism, information technology, defense, biotech, medical devices, precision manufacturing, transportation and utilities, retail

EXPANDING INDUSTRIES: Life sciences, manufacturing, information technology, energy, defense, creative economy

COLLEGE GRADUATES: (Age 25 and over) 37% (2005)

BASIC BUSINESS TAXES:
Single Sales Factor: Yes Corporate Excise (Income) Tax: $2.60 per $1,000 worth of property located in Massachusetts; 9.5 percent of apportionment

Sales and Use Tax: 5 percent of gross receipts from retail sales or storage, use, or consumption of taxable property; local sales taxes are prohibited by law; sales and use tax exemption for R&D property

Property/Real Estate Tax: Levied by individual localities at varying rates

BUSINESS INCENTIVES:
One-Stop Shopping: Business Resource Team
Economic Development Incentive Program (TIF)
Streamlined permitting
Free site selection services
$100 Million Infrastructure Fund
Emerging Technology Fund
Investment tax credits
Corporate R&D tax credits
Workforce Training Fund
Hiring Incentive Training Grant