Newton’s Economic Development Commission (EDC) met Tuesday to discuss 2026 priorities and brainstorm ways to support the city’s broader economic strategy, stemming from challenges of high vacancy in office spaces and shifting economic trends.

“Anything that can be done less expensively outside the region will be done outside the region,” said commissioner Philip Plottel. “The one thing that you can’t move is the people. And people are what’s going to drive this. So it comes down to how do we make this a better place to live?”

A concern for the commission is to make Newton an attractive place to live and to have industries develop, said EDC Chair Jane Obbagy.

“It’s a big problem with vacant office space,” Obbagy said. “I think our vacancy rate is 40 percent. It’s in line with other municipalities, but that’s a conundrum.”

The commissioners considered reimagining how some of the spaces are used, but also how to make Newton enticing to people and targeted industries.

“If it’s an old building that is ready for renewal, and we need housing, and it’s an office building that’s empty, is it the answer to rezone it to encourage another use in that building?” said Plottel.

According to the city’s Deputy Director of Economic Development, Cheryl Lappin, one of the possible industries that Governor Maura Healey is positioning Massachusetts to target is AI.

“Can Newton position itself as the center of AI in Massachusetts, and if we could, how should we do it?” Lappin said.

EDC Vice Chair Chuck Tanowitz acknowledged that there are challenges that come with implementing potential solutions.

“The issue is not that it’s the problem we talk about with the office space, but also the retail, what’s there, walkability, etc.,” Tanowitz said. “So if you want to make it attractive to AI, you have to make it attractive for life.”

Aside from livability, Newton tends to be more strict about what changes they make to zoning laws when compared to surrounding communities, explained Plottel.

“Watertown now is different than Watertown 10 years ago,” Plottel said. “The key thing is, they made it very easy for development. But as opposed to Newton, where at any site, it’s a battle.”

The commission maintains dedication toward finding ways to make Newton a more attractive area for thriving. However, the plans are still unclear, with roadblocks and questions of what to do in some cases, explained commissioner Marcela Merino.

“Hubs, companies, what does that look like? I have no idea,” Merino said. “It could potentially be a good initiative, like doing some research, or well, apparently, there are a lot of people who live in Newton who are heads of some AI companies.”

While unsure about what they can do, or what Newton as an AI or other industry hub looks like, there is one consensus: For their efforts to be successful, the commission needs to focus on improving the lives of current and future residents of Newton, explained Plottel.

“The strength of Newton, the strength of Greater Boston—it’s the people,” Plottel said.

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_{This story is from The Heights, an independent, nonprofit newspaper run by Boston College students with which the Newton Beacon has a partnership.}