TWO CRISES are bearing down on our state. There’s the critical shortage of affordable housing, which leaves ever more of our neighbors unable to keep a roof over their heads. And there is the climate crisis, which promises more powerful storms, flooding, and deadly heat waves. These crises demand urgent action. Now, a diverse coalition […]
Joe Kriesberg
Joe Kriesberg is the CEO of MassINC, which publishes CommonWealth Beacon. In this role, he is responsible for business and strategic planning, fundraising, financial management, governance, and overall stewardship of the organization. Prior to coming to MassINC in 2023, Joe served as president and CEO of the Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations (MACDC). He first joined MACDC in 1993 as vice president and served in that capacity until he became president in July 2002. During his time there, he launched several innovative new programs, including the Community Investment Tax Credit, the Mel King Institute for Community Building, the GOALs Initiative, the MACDC convention and the Community Development Innovation Forum.
Joe brings decades of non-profit management experience and extensive experience working with the media and news organizations to his new role. He has raised millions of dollars for mission-driven organizations and programs and has been published in numerous publications, including the Boston Globe, the Boston Business Journal, Banker & Tradesman, and of course, CommonWealth magazine.
Prior to working for MACDC, Joe worked on energy and environmental issues for nonprofit organizations in Washington, DC, and Boston. Joe has a B.A. from Binghamton University and a J.D. degree from Northeastern University.
Posted inOpinion
A holiday wish list for legislative action on housing
WHEN IT COMES to Massachusetts affordable housing policy, it is easy to have a vigorous debate about whether the glass is half full or half empty – and both sides would have a strong argument to make. The half-full proponents would point to the fact that Massachusetts is one of the only states with state–funded public housing, […]
Posted inEconomy
Tenant purchase legislation could stave off displacement
FOR THE TIME BEING, the COVID-19 epidemic in Massachusetts has begun to wind down. However, even if we keep the virus under control, it has already has set in motion many drastic and longer lasting changes in our housing markets. One of the outcomes could well be a significant decline in real estate values, an […]
Posted inEconomy
The Commonwealth must help businesses of color
PEOPLE OF COLOR are under siege in Massachusetts. The COVID-19 pandemic not only threatens their lives at disproportionate rates, but the economic standstill threatens their livelihood as well. We cannot wait for Congress to act. If we don’t act quickly as a state to address the current longstanding systemic disparities, we could see the deepest […]
Posted inEconomy
Gambling dollars can boost small biz
WITH THE ENCORE BOSTON casino scheduled to open in June, fiscal year 2020 will be the first year that the Commonwealth will receive significant taxes on gross gaming revenue, creating a new financial resource to address key challenges facing our state. No challenge is greater than the growing wealth and income inequality that we see across […]
Posted inOpinion
It’s time to act on housing
THE 347 FAMILIES living in the Fairlawn apartments in Mattapan have good reason to be scared. Last year, when the owner put the property on the market, city officials worked with a well-respected non-profit developer with the intent to buy the building and keep it affordable for the residents. Instead, the owner sold the building […]