2026: A Year of Partnerships and Impactful Economic Analysis Across North America

This year we’re expanding the application of our models and economic analysis to support local and regional planning decisions. Here’s a look at what’s ahead.

Our Regional Economic and Change Tool (REACT) will continue to play a central role in understanding the direct and economic multiplier effects of local investments and industries for effective policy and planning across North America.

In 2025, the REACT model supported a range of analyses, including helping MassDevelopment assess how 95 businesses in Devens contribute to the statewide economy; evaluating the economic impacts of the proposed North Adams Adventure Trail in Berkshire County for MASS MoCA; and estimating how current and future trail use will strengthen local and regional economies along the New Haven–Northampton Canal Greenway.

Evaluating Economic and Infrastructure Investments into 2026

• In Billings, Montana, we’re leading a study (with Kittelson Associates) to measure how Complete Streets projects influence property values, retail activity, and business vitality along key corridors.
  
  
• For the New Mexico Finance Authority, alongside Mass Economics, we’re helping to develop an impact measurement framework across more than 20 funding programs, helping to identify impact metrics and communicate the outcomes of public investment.
  
  
• With the Appalachian Regional Commission, we’re identifying the real-world economic development effects of completed highway corridors to support ongoing investment decisions.
  
  
• For the City of Boston, we were thrilled to be selected for on-call economic analysis to support redevelopment market analysis, scenario planning and fiscal evaluations to inform local development strategies.
  
  
• And for our newest project in Herndon, Virginia, we’re leading a new economic development strategy through detailed data analysis of existing conditions and future opportunities, which will also be integrated into a comprehensive plan led by partner Agency Landscape + Planning.

With new projects underway, expanded modeling capabilities and a growing network of partners, 2026 promises to be a year of continued innovation and impact for Cambridge Econometrics and our clients, partners and collaborators.