Governor Healey Highlights Advanced Manufacturing Investments from Mass Leads Act at Western New England University

Governor Healey Highlights Advanced Manufacturing Investments from Mass Leads Act at Western New England University 

SPRINGFIELD – Today, Governor Maura T. Healey continued her Mass Leads Road Show with a stop at Western New England University (WNE) to highlight the bill’s proposed investments in advanced manufacturing and robotics. During the Mass Leads Road Show, Governor Healey is traveling to communities across the state to highlight the ways in which her Mass Leads Act will grow the Massachusetts economy, support businesses and attract talent to the state. 

“The Mass Leads Act will invest in every sector of our economy, across every region of our state. Western New England University is the perfect place to highlight the bill’s focus on advanced manufacturing and robotics,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Today we got a glimpse of what is possible when we invest in our innovation economy and our institutions of higher learning – we can spark research and advances in technology, while also training the next generation of workers.” 

“The Mass Leads Act supports our advanced manufacturing and robotics industries and encourages innovation in ways that strengthens our state’s competitive advantage,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “In order to keep talent in Massachusetts, we have to offer the training necessary to promote high paying and skilled jobs. The Mass Leads Act opens the doors for workforce developments and makes jobs more accessible for all.” 

“Massachusetts is home to world-class advanced manufacturing, with talented companies actively addressing challenges and expanding workforce opportunities for young professionals,” said Secretary of Economic Development Yvonne Hao. “Attracting top talent, both locally and globally, is essential for fostering a strong innovative economy in our state. The Mass Leads Act will unlock new avenues within the robotics and advanced manufacturing ecosystems, paving the way for fulfilling career paths that will boost our competitiveness.” 

“The Healey-Driscoll Administration continues to invest in workforce development opportunities to meet hiring demands today and fulfill future workforce needs across high growth industries statewide,” said Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones. “The proposed investments in robotics and advanced manufacturing through Mass Leads and in collaboration with Western New England University demonstrate our commitment to teaming up with industry, academia, and other key partners to attract, retain, and develop world-class, diverse talent that local businesses, large and small, need to thrive in this industry.”  

“The Mass Leads Act invests across high-demand industries, making Massachusetts a place where innovative companies can take root and grow, and where our talented students from all backgrounds can begin exciting and fulfilling careers. Through the Mass Leads Act, we are increasing pathways for students to continue living and working right here, in Massachusetts, as part of a workforce that is second to none,” said Secretary of Education Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. 

“I want to commend Governor Maura Healey for her continued leadership and advocacy in advancing, supporting and highlighting our local economic development opportunities we have here in the City of Springfield.  Western New England University, under the leadership of President Robert Johnson, offers unique and innovative programs for students in the fields of advanced manufacturing and robotics,” said Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno. “Thanks to the investment from the Healey-Driscoll Administration, programs such as theses can flourish, creating more of that good four-letter word, jobs, which in turn will boost our local economy and continue the Commonwealth of Massachusetts position as a leader in business and technology.”     

Governor Healey toured classrooms that are part of WNE’s Advanced Manufacturing Systems (CAMS) and Robotic Welding Technologies Project. The Healey-Driscoll administration is currently supporting the project with a $1.1 million investment to fund a three-year project that establishes a research and training cluster in advanced robotic welding technologies at WNE. This collaboration involves working alongside Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) and local industry partners, aiming to enhance the advanced welding cluster and deliver new, highly skilled workers to the region's employers. 

"Today's visit by Governor Healey marks a milestone in our journey towards leading in advanced manufacturing and robotics, underscored by the strategic investments of the Mass Leads Act,” said Dr. Robert E. Johnson, President of Western New England University. “At Western New England University, this support translates directly into cutting-edge research and development in areas critical to our nation's future, including our CAMS and Robotic Welding Technologies Project. This Act not only strengthens our state's competitive stance in the technology sector but also underlines the vital role of education in achieving sustainable economic growth and workforce readiness. We are grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for their continued support of these life-changing initiatives." 

“Thank you, Governor Healey, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll and Secretary Hao for promoting the Advanced Manufacturing and Robotics provisions in the Mass Leads Act. We are grateful for your support to strengthen the State’s Advanced Manufacturing ecosystem thru capital and training investments across the supply chain,” said Michael Tamasi, President & CEO at AccuRounds. “These investments will ensure that Massachusetts remains a leader in both innovation and production.” 

“The funding outlined in the Mass Leads Act will ensure that the Advanced Manufacturing Industry in Massachusetts will continue to grow, be competitive and bring more work in to our State, creating more jobs, boosting our economy and providing top notch products to our customers,” said Kristin Maier Carlson, President of Peerless Precision. “I am proud to be a Manufacturer in a State that supports our industry like no others.” 

The Governor’s proposed bill will expand on these efforts and position Massachusetts to win more investment in the advanced manufacturing and robotics, develop more life-saving technology, and create more jobs. It will build on the success of prior authorizations while making adjustments to account for present-day challenges and opportunities.  

The Mass Leads Act will support advanced manufacturing and robotics with: 

·           $99 million for flexible grants to support advanced manufacturing initiatives through the Mass Tech Collaborative. This reauthorization will support collaboration among Massachusetts manufacturers, public and private institutions of higher education, non-profits, and private businesses—with the goal of strengthening the state’s advanced manufacturing ecosystem. 

·           $25 million for a new Robotics Investment Program for capital grants to advance the state’s leadership in the robotics sector through research, commercialization, and training. 

·           $95 million for the Matching R&D Fund at MassTech Collaborative to continue executing on partnerships with higher education. The state will leverage collaboration between higher education, research institutions, and industry to bolster the state’s innovation economy. 

·           $75 million for a Massachusetts TechHub program to establish a new program in Massachusetts for investment in consortia organized around key technology areas, modeled on the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Regional Technology and Innovation (Tech Hubs) Program.   

For more information about the Mass Leads Act, visit the Economic Development Bill website.