Middlesex County is home to world-class industries and educational institutions, and offers a high quality of life through its parks, open spaces, cultural diversity, arts programming, historical resources, and transportation connections. The County's strengths attract and retain a range of traditional and emerging industries, from established manufacturing firms to food innovation entrepreneurs, as well as small businesses and local farmers. In addition, the highly ranked K-12 system and higher education opportunities continue to attract residents and employers. These educational resources, alongside extensive workforce development programming, help to prepare workers for the modern job market.

Economic and Workforce Competitiveness Strategic Initiatives explore ways to increase economic opportunities for County residents and businesses, expand access to high-quality jobs, continue to provide the highest quality education to our students, support the agricultural sector and other targeted sectors, and enliven communities with arts and cultural experiences.

Strategic initiatives within Economic and Workforce Competitiveness include:

• Position Middlesex County as the center of innovation by attracting and creating a nurturing environment for entrepreneurs and small businesses.
• Target growth within specific industries starting with life science; food innovation; and electric, connected, and autonomous vehicles.
• Deepen partnerships and collaboration related to business retention and attraction.
• Invest in catalytic development and infrastructure projects.
• Revitalize walkable town centers, downtowns, and commercial corridors.
• Strengthen and streamline the awareness and delivery of workforce programming.
• Make career-path education and training available and affordable.
• Grow agriculture as an economic driver for Middlesex County.
• Establish the Arts Institute as a national model for driving positive outcomes through arts, history, and culture.