T
he Industrial Pulse of New England: A Harvard Conundrum

    As I reflect on the past seven years of writing for the New England Real Estate Journal, one trend has consistently driven the growth and strength of industrial real estate in our region: innovation. The symbiotic relationship between Boston's universities and the outer suburbs has given rise to a new wave of companies, while e-commerce has further fueled demand. But today, I want to focus on the first spark that ignited this fire: the connection between academia and industry.

    A perfect storm is brewing at Harvard University, where federal funding is under scrutiny. If President Trump's administration decides to cut or curtail Harvard's federal dollars, the ripple effects will be felt throughout New England's industrial real estate landscape. The stakes are high, with approximately 20% of the College of Science's operating budget relying on these funds.

    The impact won't be limited to Harvard's walls; it will reverberate across Greater Boston. Every dollar invested in the university generates a staggering $10 in economic activity, touching suppliers, startups, and companies that rely on the space. This multiplier effect is a testament to the interconnectedness of our region's economy.

    As an industrial real estate expert, I'm not here to predict doom or gloom. However, it's essential to acknowledge the potential consequences of this decision. The bioengineering breakthroughs, cutting-edge startups, and AI ventures emanating from Kendall Square are intricately linked. Disrupting this ecosystem could stall the growth of our region's industrial real estate sector, which has been a driving force behind job creation and economic resilience.

    The outcome will have far-reaching implications for both supply and demand in Boston's industrial market, as well as the way universities interact with federal funding in the future. As an advisor and partner at Prescott Advisory, I urge stakeholders to pay attention to this unfolding drama, which will undoubtedly shape the trajectory of our region's economy.