Each year the Roundtable staff travels to Washington, D.C. for a convening of state roundtables hosted by the national Business Roundtable (BRT). This year, the 2026 State Business Roundtable Executives (SBRE) brought together state roundtable executives, the national Business Roundtable, federal officials, and policy experts to discuss the evolving national economic, policy, and competitiveness landscape.  

Since I started at the Roundtable three years ago, I have found these bi-annual convenings to be incredibly helpful, insightful, and it has exposed me to new ideas and perspectives. What I found fascinating this time around was how similar our shared challenges seem to be. Energy, AI and its impact on the economy, housing, and workforce came up in almost every conversation, regardless of geography, politics, etc. In addition, what continues to be most helpful, is hearing how other states are solving complex challenges, and learning new policy solutions that could be implemented in Massachusetts.

Several themes emerged that closely align with what we continue to hear from our members. Energy, particularly the growing demand from AI and data centers, along with talent and cost pressures dominated our various discussions. We had the opportunity to meet with the Administration’s National Energy Dominance Council where the conversation centered on the need to expand energy supply, accelerate infrastructure development, and ensure affordability and reliability, particularly as demand grows from AI and data centers. At the same time, workforce challenges continue to constrain growth, with employers increasingly focused on building domestic talent pipelines amid ongoing immigration challenges. Across states, rising costs were top of mind, with increasing implications for competitiveness.  

Across meetings with federal leaders, including the National Energy Dominance Council, and briefings from policy and economic experts at BRT, several key takeaways emerged:

  • Uncertainty is now structural, not cyclical. Federal policymaking is increasingly described as “predictably unpredictable,” with unilateral and transactional approaches shaping outcomes and making long-term planning more challenging for businesses.
  • Energy policy is being reframed through affordability and supply. Federal discussions emphasized increasing supply, accelerating infrastructure development, and ensuring grid reliability, particularly as demand grows from AI and data centers.
  • AI is both driving growth and masking underlying economic softness. While investment and productivity gains from AI are supporting the economy, underlying indicators—particularly employment—suggest uneven growth and potential structural challenges.
  • Workforce challenges are intensifying. This has led to continued pressure to build domestic talent pipelines while navigating constraints in immigration policy. Employers are increasingly investing in workforce development, apprenticeships, and more.
  • Cost pressures remain a defining issue. Energy and broader cost of living concerns are impacting both businesses and consumers and shaping policy debates across states.
  • States are grappling with similar competitiveness challenges. Top challenges include housing affordability, workforce alignment, tax burdens, and economic growth strategies.
  • Political dynamics are shifting. Populism, protectionism, and global competition (particularly with China) is playing a larger role in shaping federal and state policy decisions.

Top Themes

  • Uncertainty is here to stay. Business leaders are operating in an environment where volatility in federal policy, trade, and global dynamics is constant. The ability to adapt quickly, rather than rely on stable, predictable conditions, is increasingly a core competitive advantage.
  • Energy Policy is Increasingly Focused on Affordability, Reliability, and Supply. Federal discussions emphasized the need to expand energy generation, accelerate infrastructure development, and reduce barriers to new projects to meet growing demand, particularly from AI and data centers. There was broad recognition that ensuring a stable, cost-effective energy system is essential to supporting economic growth and maintaining competitiveness.
  • AI and Data Centers Are Reshaping the Economy: AI is accelerating economic transformation, driving investment, and transforming workforce needs. At the same time, the growth of data centers is creating new policy challenges around energy use, infrastructure, and local impacts, with states competing for investment while managing community concerns.
  • Talent and Workforce Development Remain Core Challenges: Workforce shortages, skills gaps, and immigration constraints continue to limit growth. There is increasing emphasis on developing domestic talent pipelines, strengthening connections between education and industry, and expanding access to training and career pathways.
  • Cost Pressures Are Undermining Competitiveness: Rising costs, particularly energy, housing, and broader cost of living—are creating headwinds for businesses and workers alike. Addressing affordability is central to attracting and retaining talent and maintaining economic growth.

The SBRE network continues to be an invaluable forum to exchange ideas and better understand shared challenges and opportunities across states. These conversations not only inform our work but also strengthen our ability to bring a national perspective to state leaders here in Massachusetts. Of note, JD and the Roundtable continue to play a leadership role in this group. We will reconvene this fall in Detroit!