Established by the state legislature in 2009, Gateway Cities were imagined as mid-size economic hubs that provide a stepping stone — or gateway — to the American Dream. The cohort includes 26 cities where more than a quarter of all Massachusetts residents, and about 40% of the state's foreign-born populations, live.
Join GBH News at an upcoming listening session. We want to hear what matters to you, what keeps you up at night, and what makes you proud.
July 29 • 4 to 6 p.m., Westfield Boys & Girls Club, Westfield
July 30 • 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., Chicopee Public Library, 499 Front Street, Chicopee
From Springfield to Chelsea, these communities face many economic and social challenges. They also are lively, diverse areas that often are left out of the headlines except for breaking news. GBH News and its Equity and Justice Team are focusing on Gateway Cities— getting to know 26 cities in the year 2026 (our “26 in 26” project). We are hosting listening sessions to hear from residents, and, with the help of on-the-ground reporting, expert sources, and data-driven research, we are producing multi-media stories to provide a clearer picture of these key communities in our state. We’d like to hear from you. Reach out to us at equityandjustice@wgbh.org or fill out this questionnaire.
Gateway Cities Unlocked
What are community listening sessions?
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Gateway to prosperity: What’s next for Massachusetts’ Gateway Cities?
Made an official designation almost 20 years ago, Gateway Cities are largely mill towns that were once the anchors of the state’s industrial past. The idea was to provide longtime residents and newly arrived immigrants a path to the “American Dream.” -
From churches to banks, urban school districts find creative ways to update facilities
Urban school districts receive less funding toward school facilities than their suburban counterparts, according to a new MassInc. report. Because of this, many get creative to get things done. -
Chelsea’s Verb Flow & Vision set the stage for an emerging arts and culture scene in the city
Verb Flow & Vision is a monthly spoken word, open mic and art show hosted at Kushala Sip in Chelsea. -
For people with limited mobility, Fall River fire renews fears: How would I escape?
Many of the residents used wheelchairs, walkers or were on oxygen and struggled to escape. -
Worcester leaders, community activists denounce Thursday's ICE arrest and police response
The YWCA of Central Massachusetts hosted a press conference addressing the ICE raid in Worcester on Thursday, May 8, 2025. -
El Taller says goodbye after more than a decade in Lawrence
The community staple will close its doors on May 12. -
Latino-owned businesses show strong post-pandemic growth, new report finds
The report detailing Latino entrepreneurship was prepared by Stanford Graduate School of Business in collaboration with The Latino Business Action Network. -
To meet housing crisis, report finds Gateway Cities need twice as much construction
The report by the MassINC Policy Center says half of Gateway City residents are cost-burdened, paying more than 30% of their income on rent. -
New primary care centers in Brockton and Dorchester offer new approach to serving seniors
Following Steward hospital closures throughout the state, Gather Health looks to fill a void. -
Chelsea residents complain about mitigation efforts, communication around Tobin Bridge repairs
Lead paint chips had been falling off the bridge into the neighborhood.
