• MassBioEd
• Contact Us

• Member Portal
• Join MassBio

Locate to Massachusetts: The Regions

Massachusetts is a diverse state offering a mix of urban, suburban and rural settings to meet the needs of companies in all stages from early research through manufacturing.  Check out the state's regions below.

Greater Boston & Cambridge

Anchored in Cambridge, the life sciences industry in the Greater Boston region is one of the most dynamic industry clusters of any kind in the world. In addition to over 240 biotechnology companies, the top 5 NIH-funded hospitals in the nation, and many of the world's leading research universities, the region is also one of the world's premier financial centers. These factors combine to make the region an unsurpassed region for research and development.

The Greater Boston region is the hub of New England's highway network, with I-90, I-95, and I-93 collectively forming the spokes and rim of the figurative wheel.  From Boston emanates the MBTA subway and commuter rail system, which serves a a geographic area of over 750 square miles.  In addition, Boston is served by Logan International Airport, which provides service to 76 domestic and 33 international destinations.

 

Northeast Massachusetts

The region just north of Cambridge-Boston includes the Merrimac Valley-I-495, as well as the north-south Route 3 and I-93 technology corridors.  A strong bio-pharma presence is augmented by one of the most concentrated precision instrumentation clusters in the world.  The region includes outstanding universities, as well as a high quality of life, from the seaport communities of Salem and Gloucester to the rejuvenated mill towns of Lowell and Lawrence.

The region enjoys unsurpassed infrastructure.  Three major interstates (I-495, I-93, I-95), multiple commuter rail lines to Boston and quick access to two major airports, Logan International in Boston and Manchester Regional in New Hampshire.

 

Southeastern Massachusetts

Complementing the beautiful coastline of the South Shore, Cape Cod, and South Coast of southeastern Massachusetts is the rich tradition of precision manufacturing in the region. The century-old jewelry industry spurred the modern growth of high-tech manufacturing - especially medical devices.

Served by I-95, I-495, and I-195, the region is also connected to Boston by three MBTA commuter rail lines, Amtrak service from Boston to Providence, New York, and beyond. Travel time from any part of the region to Boston-Cambridge is generally from 20 minutes to one hour.  The area is also rich in space to grow, with a large number of industrial and research parks with excellent infrastructure.

 

Central Massachusetts

The central region of Massachusetts offers life science companies an outstanding workforce, a strong concentration of colleges and universities, lower cost R&D, manufacturing, and incubator space, as well as a recognized regional commitment of support to the biotechnology industry. The region continues to grow its own life science industry, while attracting new companies, such as Bristol-Myers Squibb, which is building a $1 billion manufacturing facility at Devens.

Central Massachusetts is at the very heart of New England. Worcester, the city with the largest inland population in New England, is home to the Worcester Regional Airport and Union Station, through which regular commuter rail to Boston and east-west Amtrak services is provided.  Three interstate highways - I-90, I-84, and I-495 and the east-west Route 2 constitute the area's major highway infrastructure and are complemented by the I-190 and I-290 interstate spurs. Most locations in the region are approximately one hour or less drive to Boston-Cambridge. 

 

Western Massachusetts

The Western Region enjoys the benefit of being at the "crossroads of New England". It is able to offer the lowest business and development costs in the state. The Pioneer Valley is part of the "Knowledge Corridor", extending from Hartford, CT in the south to the flagship University of Massachusetts at Amherst campus. Linked by the Connecticut River, I-91, and a shared international airport, the Corridor forms an economic powerhouse. The combined region constitutes the second largest workforce (over 1 million), education (32 colleges and universities with 120,000 students), and economic center in New England. The Berkshires, bordering New York state to the west, enjoys the advantage of being just over a two-hour drive from Boston and New York City. Known as "America's Premier Cultural Resort", the area also has a high concentration in precision manufacturing industries that complement life sciences.

Western Massachusetts is served by the Massachusetts  Turnpike (I-90) and Interstate 91. Route 2 in the northern tier also connects to Boston.  Amtrak provides daily service between Boston and Chicago, with stops in Springfield and Pittsfield in western Massachusetts.  The area is served by Bradley International Airport, just south of Springfield in Connecticut, as well as several smaller municipal airports which service corporate clienteles (Barnes in Westfield, Harriman in North Adams, and Pittsfield Municipal).

 

We're here to help!

Recent News