Tax breaks for projects in affluent towns

By Todd Wallack, Globe Staff

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The Economic Development Incentive Program was originally intended to give tax breaks to companies to encourage them to add jobs in beleaguered parts of the state that needed help the most, such as Fall River and New Bedford.

But over the years, the state has approved subsidies in many comfortable suburbs, such as Hingham, Hopkinton, and Lexington. Indeed, more than half the state is now classified as an enterprise zone. Of the state's 351 cities and towns, 209 include "economic target areas."

Map and data Tax breaks by town
Part 1 Jobs program lost its way — and tax money
Photos Controversial tax breaks
Part 2 Tax breaks routed to ‘disadvantaged’ affluent towns
Photos Tax breaks for projects in affluent towns

The Economic Development Incentive Program was originally intended to give tax breaks to companies to encourage them to add jobs in beleaguered parts of the state that needed help the most, such as Fall River and New Bedford. But over the years, the state has approved subsidies in many comfortable suburbs, such as Hingham, Hopkinton, and Lexington. Indeed, more than half the state is now classified as an enterprise zone. Of the state's 351 cities and towns, 209 include 'economic target areas.'

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