Discover our mission, values, and leadership.
Explore benefits that power your success.
Browse our network of businesses.
Explore opportunities to connect and grow.
Join on us on Friday, January 30, as we host our highly anticipated 2026 Pinnacle Awards Luncheon.
01/30/2026
11:00am - 1:30pm
Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport
Take advantage of exclusive perks and programs for members.
Browse our directory to find and connect with member community.
Join experiences that build relationships and spark ideas.
City Awake empowers young professionals in a variety of ways that encourages these rising leaders to stay invested in the region’s future success.
Our Boston’s Future Leaders (BFL) program provides emerging leaders with a socially conscious and civically engaged leadership toolkit, as well as the opportunity to apply their knowledge through experiential assignments.
The Massachusetts Apprentice Network convenes employers, training providers, and talent sources interested in developing and implementing apprenticeship programs in occupations across industries and statewide in fields such as tech, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, financial services, and more.
Our Women’s Leadership Program enables you to take your leadership to the next level by arming you with the most in-demand leadership toolkit.
The Chamber Foundation invites the business community to engage with Boston Public Schools leaders and their students to help build the future workforce.
Level up your leadership and communication in this Boston Chamber workshop for professionals—gain essential skills in team alignment.
Learn how we advance talent and small business growth.
Explore our key priorities and strategic efforts.
Join us at our next Foundation event.
December 10, 2025
Dear Chair Nichols and Vice Chair Hatton,
On behalf of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and our 1,200 members, I write to offer our support for Special Order No. 16, recommending a zero percent increase to linkage fees in 2026. We would like to thank Mayor Wu and her administration for putting this proposal forward, acknowledging the current challenges to commercial development and the role public policy can play in fostering a competitive economy.
As you know, high construction costs, tariffs, and interest rates have contributed to slower new commercial sector growth in Boston for the last few years. Limited new growth and a decline in commercial property values not only restrict economic growth and job creation, but have direct impacts on City revenues, services, and residents. Unfortunately, lower growth and commercial property values are two trends that are likely to continue, especially as vacancy rates in office buildings downtown¹ and laboratory space across the region² remain elevated. The City recently reported that commercial property values decreased by 6% in 2025 alone.
Given these trends, the City’s recommendation for 0% growth in linkage fees is a small but important indicator of public policy tools available to try to facilitate new development. Such policy changes, even if temporary, can relieve some of the cost pressures on development and make more projects in the city viable in the short term. Other tools, such as permanent or temporary changes to the City’s inclusionary development policies, energy efficiency regulations, zoning requirements, or permitting processes could ease bottlenecks, delays, or costs to developers seeking to move to, grow, or remain in Boston.
As we look forward to 2026 and the years ahead, we believe that a wholesale and collaborative approach to support economic growth will be needed to create a strong foundation for long-term stability. We remain committed to working with all stakeholders to address the collective challenges we face.
Thank you for your attention and please reach out with any questions.
Sincerely,
James E. Rooney
President & CEO
Popular Resources