The economic structure of the Province of Massa Carrara shows great variation from coast to interior. 75% (16.437 units) of the total number of businesses are situated in the coastal area – where the Commune of Massa is the one recording the greatest concentration of enterprises; the remaining 25% (5.414 units) are in Lunigiana.

The coastal area stands out for the presence here of the stone plaque industry, which, alongside its connected collateral activities, amounts to roughly half of the local manufacturing sector. Over the years, the quarrying, finishing and trade of marble have given local businessmen world leadership in this field (whose production is equal to 1,8%). At the same time, the mechanical sector (whose production is 4,5%), including its branch connected with marble, has taken on increasing importance.

The particular liveliness in the entrepreneurial framework can be underlined by the almost 1,700 enterprises that have come to life during the single year 2004: a growth rate of 2.2%, appreciably superior to both the average figures in Tuscany (1.64%) and to those on a national level (1.53%). The manufacturing sector’s model of development is based on a network of small and medium-sized companies linked to highly specialized production, responsive to the most up to date organizational techniques and specifically focused on foreign markets.

An essential feature of the territory can be summed up by its force of attraction. In fact, starting from the year 2000/2001 we can speak about the re-occupation of the modest Apuan Industrial Zone, calculated above all to include the setting up of enterprises from outside the territory, first of all those of pleasure shipping.

Lunigiana, with its 14 Communes, represents Tuscany’s northernmost section, consisting of the middle and high valley of the River Magra. Here, agricultural enterprises still make up an important segment of the activities in the zone amounting to 18.7% of all the enterprises in the territory, with a production of typical high-quality specialities. This is only preceded by the commercial sector, and it is followed by the manufacturing division featuring a lively production of craftwork.

In addition, there has been a tendency in the last few years to set up new companies on account of the availability of industrial areas, which are now taking on increasing importance with respect to the more traditional profile of the zone. In 2004 the final sum of new companies registered in the Chamber of Commerce for Lunigiana gives a positive total of 111, while all the companies enrolled comes to 449 units. This is to be considered the best result recorded in the last five years.

As a result, there are a number of centres situated in Lunigiana, which, on account of their physical availability and the ever increasing creation of infrastructures, are well able to accommodate new productive ventures. The general economy of the Province is strongly orientated towards the service industries, based, perhaps, on traditional sectors, but open to the development of more innovative ones. The tourist sector is the one with the greatest potential for development both on the Coast and in Lunigiana, each area of which has its own particular fascination.