Governor Healey Unveils $47M Defense Initiative, $25M for Draper's IMPACT Center in Lowell

Governor Maura Healey today announced the launch of the SHIELD initiative - a $47 million effort to strengthen Massachusetts' defense leadership, expand advanced manufacturing,a nd create high-quality jobs across the Commonwealth.

As part of this initiative, up to $25 million in state and local funding will support construction of Draper's Integrated Microelectronics Production & Advanced Chip Technology (IMPACT) Center right here in Lowell - bringing up to 200 new jobs and positioning Lowell at the heart of national defense innovation.

The IMPACT Center builds on the Lowell Innovation Network Corridor (LINC), a partnership between the City of Lowell, UMass Lowell, and the Commonwealth that will generate billions in economic activity and thousands of jobs over the next decade.

This investment by the Healey-Driscoll Administration is a game-changer for the City of Lowell. The IMPACT Center will not only bring hundreds of high-quality jobs to our community, but it will also solidify Lowell's role as a hub for innovation, advanced manufacturing, and national security," said Lowell City Manager Thomas A. Golden, Jr. "We are proud to partner with Draper, UMass Lowell, and the Commonwealth to bring this vision to life. This is more than a building - it's a catalyst for economic growth, workforce development, and opportunity for generations to come. The IMPACT Center and the broader LINC initiative represent the future of Lowell, and we're grateful for the state's commitment to making it a reality."

Learn more about the SHIELD initiative and today's announcement from the Governor's Office.