History

• Recipients of the New England Council's New Englander of the Year Awards

The New England Council is the nation’s oldest regional business organization dedicated to promoting economic development and a high quality of life in the six-state region. The New England Council was formed in 1925 by the region’s business and government leaders who recognized the importance of working together to find solutions to common economic challenges.

In the 1920s, the economic picture in New England was quite different than today. Attracted by cheaper costs and warmer weather, many New England companies were moving to southern states. The region’s textile and shoe manufacturing industries, which had long been anchors for many cities and towns, were diminishing.

Concerned with this trend, a group of New England business leaders and the six New England governors met in 1925 to develop a strategy to mitigate this problem and promote economic growth. The New England Council was established to promote the coordination of effort in supporting the economic development of the region.

Today, The New England Council remains a leading voice on the issues that shape the region’s economy and quality of life. The Council focuses on key industries that drive the regional economic growth including education, technology and innovation, healthcare and financial services.

The environment that makes New England a special place to live and work is shaped by many factors, including policy decisions made on Capitol Hill.

With a diverse membership drawn from a wide spectrum of industries throughout New England, the Council brings the voice of the region to Capitol Hill. The Council has successfully shaped federal policies to ensure that they will stimulate long-term economic growth throughout the six-state region.