Massachusetts businesses planning an expansion, relocation, or qualifying job-retention project have an upcoming deadline for the state’s Economic Development Incentive Program. Application materials for consideration at the December 16, 2026 Economic Assistance Coordinating Council meeting must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, November 4, 2026.
The Economic Development Incentive Program, commonly called EDIP, offers state tax credits to businesses that commit to investing and creating jobs in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Office of Business Development administers the program, while the Economic Assistance Coordinating Council, or EACC, decides whether to certify projects and award credits.
The November deadline is relevant to businesses seeking review during the final scheduled EACC meeting of 2026. It is an application deadline, not an automatic award date. Submitting an application does not guarantee certification or a tax-credit award.
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Massachusetts EDIP deadline and meeting date
The official 2026 schedule lists the following dates:
- Application deadline: November 4, 2026, by 5 p.m.
- EACC meeting: December 16, 2026
The EACC meets quarterly to review EDIP applications. Massachusetts says completed application materials must be submitted by the posted deadline. Businesses that cannot complete the November round can review the subsequent schedule: applications for the March 24, 2027 meeting are due February 10, 2027, and applications for the June 24, 2027 meeting are due May 12, 2027.
Businesses should not wait until November 4 to begin. Several required compliance documents must be current and may take time to obtain.
What EDIP supports
EDIP is intended to encourage business investment and the creation of quality, permanent full-time jobs in Massachusetts. According to the program’s current Request for Proposals, a business may submit only one project application at a time. The proposal must fit one of these project categories:
- Out-of-state relocation: Moving a business and permanent full-time employees from outside Massachusetts to a location in the state.
- Expansion: Expanding an existing Massachusetts facility in a way that produces a net increase in permanent full-time employment at that facility.
- In-state relocation: Moving within Massachusetts while producing a net increase in permanent full-time employment.
- Retention: Retaining at least 50 permanent full-time jobs that otherwise would leave Massachusetts, at a facility in a Gateway City or a qualifying adjacent community accessible by public transportation to Gateway City residents.
These descriptions are a starting point, not a substitute for a program eligibility determination. Prospective applicants should discuss the proposed project with Massachusetts Office of Business Development staff before relying on EDIP as part of a financing plan.
How much could a business receive?
Massachusetts says average EDIP awards are typically between $10,000 and $15,000 per job, but this is not a promised rate. The EACC determines awards individually, and an approved amount can vary based on the project and the council’s evaluation.
Considerations may include the number and quality of jobs, employee wages and benefits, private investment, the project’s economic impact, and whether it is located in a Gateway City, rural or small community, or area of economic need. The state also identifies priority sectors such as technology, artificial intelligence, climate technology, advanced manufacturing, medical industries, and robotics. Emerging businesses with strong growth potential and projects with regional or statewide importance may also receive consideration.
Certified projects are typically awarded refundable credits. Massachusetts explains that these credits first reduce up to 100% of the recipient’s tax liability for the applicable year, with the remaining approved amount refundable. The EACC determines the actual award, refundability, and claim schedule for each certified project.
Documents applicants should request now
The EDIP page identifies three compliance documents required for each business that intends to use the state tax incentives:
- A Massachusetts Department of Revenue Certificate of Good Standing
- A Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance Certificate of Compliance
- A Certificate of Good Standing from the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth’s Corporations Division
These documents must be dated within 90 days of the EDIP submission date. The state specifically warns that the Department of Unemployment Assistance document may require additional lead time.
The application also requests a municipal endorsement from the community where the project will occur. Applicants may provide supporting letters from legislators, civic organizations, business associations, or other relevant organizations. A project seeking the Abandoned Building Tax Deduction must also provide documentation from the municipality, property owner, or applicant confirming that the property has been at least 75% vacant for a minimum of two years.
How to apply through the Business Front Door
Massachusetts now routes EDIP applications through its Business Front Door portal. The official process is:
- Read the current EDIP Request for Proposals and compare the proposed project with the program categories and evaluation standards.
- Contact Massachusetts Office of Business Development staff. Program staff can involve the appropriate regional director to discuss whether EDIP fits the project and assist with the application process.
- Sign in with a MyMassGov account and create a business profile in the Business Front Door.
- Open the business dashboard and select the Applications tab to reach the Application Center.
- Select the EDIP application under Business Front Door Applications.
- Complete the application, attach the required supporting material, and submit everything by 5 p.m. on November 4 for the December meeting.
Businesses with questions can contact Geoff Kravitz, the state’s Senior Director of Business Incentive Programs, at Geoffrey.Kravitz@mass.gov or 857-393-5362. Program Manager Joey Giovino can be reached at Joey.Giovino@mass.gov or 617-973-8536.
What happens after submission?
Once Massachusetts receives a timely and complete application, the Office of Business Development reviews the project for eligibility and evaluates whether to recommend certification and an award. The EACC considers the project and the agency’s recommendation at a scheduled public meeting and votes on the application.
If approved, the business must enter into an EDIP contract describing its job, investment, and tax-credit obligations. The Request for Proposals states that failure to execute and return that contract within 60 days of certification, or another reasonable timeframe established by the state, may cause the approval to be revoked.
Approval also creates continuing responsibilities. Active EDIP projects must file annual reports, and the EACC reviews compliance with employment, investment, and credit commitments. Failure to report or material noncompliance can lead to decertification and the loss or recapture of benefits.
Practical next steps before November 4
Start by contacting program staff and confirming that the planned investment and employment changes fit an eligible project type. Then request the three good-standing and compliance certificates, paying particular attention to processing time and the 90-day dating requirement. Coordinate with the host municipality on its endorsement, gather credible support letters, and make sure employment and capital-investment projections are documented and internally supportable.
Finally, leave enough time to create the Business Front Door profile, locate the EDIP application, upload the supporting records, and correct any completeness issues before the 5 p.m. cutoff. Applicants should use the official program page for any schedule changes or updated instructions.
For other verified Massachusetts programs, see our Massachusetts benefits and financial assistance hub.
Official sources
- Massachusetts Economic Development Incentive Program
- Official EDIP Request for Proposals
- Massachusetts Department of Revenue: EDIP Credit
- Economic Assistance Coordinating Council
Last Verified: October 1, 2026