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State and local policy makers shape the future of the region, but don’t always have the information necessary to make informed choices.  Providing policy makers with timely, accurate and up-to-date information empowers them to make sound decisions by assessing the impacts of different alternatives.  Accurate data also allow the public to benchmark government performance and hold elected officials and policy makers accountable for their actions.  Individual businesses and households also need data to make decisions: where to site a business, buy a home, or raise a family.  Data about the region’s residents, business, and infrastructure are critical to strategically target limited resources.  The evolving regional economy will require new ways to utilize existing data, and invest in collection of missing data.

However, today information in important areas is incomplete or missing, and decision-makers lack objective measures to evaluate the region’s progress. Furthermore, accuracy of basic demographic data and estimates used for a wide range of purposes should be improved.

To address these problems, a regional indicators program should be created to measure progress toward MetroFuture using objective data. The region should prioritize collecting or making available ten critical datasets needed for regional planning. These include such basic data as regional water and sewer infrastructure, parcels, and zoning maps. Additionally, new databases of developments, permits, and brownfields are needed for effective regional planning and analysis. Other missing data include an updated travel demand survey and aerial photography, and compiling and releasing employment and income information already possessed by state agencies. Finally, steps should be taken to prepare for the 2010 Census, and work proactively with the U.S. Census Bureau to ensure they have accurate information about Metro Boston’s communities.

1)    Develop regional indicators to measure progress toward MetroFuture goals

2)    Collect Metro Boston’s “Top Ten Most Wanted Data Sets”

3)    Implement a regional research agenda to inform planning and development policy

4)    Ensure Massachusetts is accurately counted in the Decennial Census

5)    Inform US Census efforts through the Population Estimates Program