MIPIM 2024 房地產發展專案大賽 日本、比利時各得2獎

評審團和特別獎得獎者合影。(MIPIM 提供)

             (Boston Orange 周菊子法國坎城綜合報導) 世界上最大國際房地產會議之一的MIPIM，3月14日晚在法國坎城影節宮宣佈，來自7個國家的11項房地產發展專案，從來自39國的209多件參賽作品中脫穎而出，贏得MIPIM的2024大獎。

             2024年的MIPIM會議，由3月11日起至3月14日在法國坎城舉行，主題為「房屋很重要 (Housing Matters!)」。

最佳工業和物流專案：日本川崎的ESR東扇島(Higashi Ogishima) 配送中心

             在比賽環節的今年得獎者中，有2項專案最風光，各得2項大獎。一為日本川崎的ESR東扇島(Higashi Ogishima) 配送中心，不但贏得評審團特別獎，還贏得最佳工業和物流專案獎。另一為比利時布魯塞爾的Royale Belge，獲得最佳改造專案獎和最佳綜合用途專案獎。

             MIPIM獎是個面向全球，從報名參賽的已完成或正在建造中的房地產發展項目中，挑選優勝者，開辦於1991年的競賽活動。今年的評審們以建築物和環境之間的呼應，符合環境，社會及治理 (ESG)目標為重點，從總體可持續性，與環境及社區整合程度，使用者經驗品質，經濟貢獻，概念原創性，以及建築品質為6大審核標準。

評審之一，來自丹麥的Bjarke Ingels 集團合夥人Kai-Uwe Bergmann
(左一) 恭喜丹麥高本哈根贏得最佳住宅專案獎。

             209多件參賽作品經過第一輪淘汰後，有來自20個國家的40項專案打入決賽，由PIMCO 主要房地產公司執行長暨資訊長的Francois Trausch，率領包括丹麥Bjarke Ingels 集團合夥人Kai-Uwe Bergmann等人組成的11人評審團審核，再加上出席會議者的現場或網上投票後產生。

             在最佳改造專案類別中，打入決賽的4項專案之一是深業發展有限公司請MVRDV擔任建築師的深圳婦女及兒童中心。

             獲獎作品有:   

最佳住宅專案：丹麥哥本哈根的” 哥本哈根生活場所 (Living Places Copenhagen)”。
(MIPIM   提供)

                     最佳改造專案：比利時布魯塞爾的Royale Belge

·最佳文化、體育和教育專案：丹麥Esbjerg 的Esjberg 海事中心

·最佳酒店、旅遊和休閒專案：奧地利Leogang的 Krailerhof 酒店，”氣氛 (ATMOSPHERE)”。

·最佳工業和物流專案：日本川崎的ESR東扇島(Higashi Ogishima) 配送中心

·最佳綜合用途專案：比利時布魯塞爾的Royale Belge

深業集團的深圳婦女及兒童中心打入最佳改造專案的決賽。
(MIPIM 提供)

·最佳辦公室及商業專案: 美國紐約的聖約翰航廈 (St. John's Terminal)

·最佳住宅專案：丹麥哥本哈根的” 哥本哈根生活場所 (Living Places Copenhagen)”。

·最佳城市再生專案：丹麥Aarhus 的” 七號盆地 (BASSIN 7)”

·最佳新開發專案：義大利米蘭的” BFF之家 (Casa BFF)”。

贏得最佳改造專案獎的是比利時布魯塞爾的Royale Belge。

·最佳大型新開發專案：希臘雅典的Ellinikon 商業樞紐，Hellinikon都會極點

·評審團特別獎：日本川崎的ESR東扇島配送中心。

聖派翠克日看愛爾蘭人在哪兒

             (Boston Orange 摘譯) 根據美國人口統計紀錄，聖派翠克日 (St. Patrick’s Day) 在薩福克郡(Suffolk)是法定假日，但美國愛爾蘭人最多的地方，卻遠不是這兒。

            事實上，儘管波士頓所在美國東北部薩福克郡，愛爾蘭血統最為普遍，但在全美各地自認為愛爾蘭人的人數排名上，卻只排到第727位。

            根據美國人口統計局社區調查的最新數據，將近10%的美國人，聲稱自己至少有一些愛爾蘭血統，但時至今日，愛爾蘭人的聚居地，已經和以前不一樣了。如今是新罕布夏州 (NH)，而不是麻州，有著最高比例，約19%的愛爾蘭人。麻州緊隨其後的有18%。

            這調查結果來自美國社區調查的問題，”你的祖先或族裔淵源是?”

            當然，影響人們辨識自己的因素有好幾個，使得這問題變得非常主觀。波士頓學院追蹤波士頓地區歷史及移民項目，”環球波士頓 (GlobalBoston)”的共同主任Marilynn Johnson說，在一個愛爾蘭文化濃厚的地區，即使人們只有一部分的愛爾蘭血統，也很容易把自己當作是愛爾蘭人。

            在美國，約有12.3%的人聲稱自己有德國血統，其次為墨西哥的11.2%，英國9.4%，然後是愛爾蘭9.2%。

            有愛爾蘭血統的人，多半在東北部，反映出在十八世紀中期，因為大饑荒而移民美國的愛爾蘭人，大部分以美國東北部為移民目的地。波士頓計畫發展局(BPDA)的人口統計紀錄分析，1850年左右，有將近三分之一的波士頓人出生在外國。到1870年時，約有14%的麻州人出生地是愛爾蘭。

            如今有愛爾蘭血統人口最多的5個州，全都在新英格蘭地區。新罕布夏州居冠，其次為麻州，佛蒙特州，羅德島州及緬因州。

            第二次世界大戰後，波士頓愛爾蘭移民的後代離開波士頓後，多半南遷。根據人口統計數據，如今，麻州愛爾蘭人最多的市鎮為Hanover (42%)，Cohasset (42%)，Scituate (40%)，Plympton (39%)，以及 Whitman (39%)，全都在南岸地區。

波士頓藝術中心 Kristi Keefe 升任執行長

 BCA Announces Kristi Keefe As New Chief Executive Officer; Wishes Emily Foster Day Well In Her New Position; Welcomes Zaquia Mahler Salinas As New Member of Senior Team

Kristi Keefe to become BCA Chief Executive Officer as her fellow Co-Executive Director Emily Foster Day departs to Massachusetts College of Art and Design. BCA also welcomes Zaquia Mahler Salinas as its new Senior Director of Artist Programs & Residencies.

BOSTON, MA — Boston Center for the Arts (BCA) has some important leadership news! Kristi Keefe, the current BCA Co-Executive Director will become Chief Executive Officer of BCA. BCA Co-Executive Director Emily Foster Day (she/her) is transitioning from BCA to Massachusetts College of Art and Design to assume the role of Vice President of Advancement and Executive Director of the MassArt Foundation. BCA is also thrilled to welcome Zaquia Mahler Salinas (she/her) as its new Senior Director of Artist Programs & Residencies.

Keefe has been at BCA for over 20 years, serving as Interim Director in 2016, Chief Operating Officer from 2016–2019, and Co-Executive Director since 2019. Keefe will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer in mid-April, 2024. Since 2019, both Keefe and Foster Day have led BCA through a series of challenges — most profoundly the COVID-19 pandemic — and together subsequently shepherded the safe and successful reopening of the organization in 2021. During Foster Day’s nine-year tenure, BCA has also seen an expansion of its programming, including the inception of the ACTivate Residency, the BCA Studio Residency, the highly popular Boston Art Book Fair, and #HellaBlack. And under their joint leadership, BCA has committed to a profound transformative re-alignment of its service to Boston’s artists and audiences that is deeply rooted in racial equity.

“I am delighted to announce Kristi Keefe as Chief Executive Officer for BCA,” said Jennifer Pinck, Chair of the BCA Board of Directors. “Kristi’s tenure at BCA lends her the knowledge, experience, and commitment to the organization that will be critical to our success in the coming years. As Co-Executive Director since 2019 Kristi has navigated BCA through unchartered territory and has been instrumental in positioning BCA for a promising future. I want to also thank Emily for the leadership, creativity, and innovation she has shown this past decade. Her contributions to BCA have been incredible and I wish her well in her next position at MassArt.”

“It has been an honor to work in partnership with Emily for the past nine years, and I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished as Co-Executive Directors,” said Keefe. “Emily has helped create innovative ways to expand our residencies for all artists and aligned our programming with our vision for racial equity. I’m excited to work with such a strong senior leadership team, staff, and board to deepen the work we have jointly undertaken over the past five years. I look forward to more fully aligning our physical spaces with our core residencies and expanding our partnerships so we can make Boston a vibrant space for all artists.”

“Kristi and I have always shared the unshakeable belief that BCA is a unique and special place,” said Foster Day. “And that this organization has an essential role to play in our vision to help make Boston a place where artists can live and thrive. It has been a pleasure to work alongside Kristi and a dedicated and passionate staff and board, all of whom show up each day with energy, creativity, and care.”

BCA is also thrilled to welcome Zaquia Mahler Salinas (she/her) as our Senior Director of Artist Programs & Residencies. As a Senior Director, Mahler Salinas is now also the fourth member of the senior leadership team who are all supporting Keefe during this leadership transition. Mahler Salinas will also play a key role on the senior leadership team to ensure that BCA programs align with the strategic vision of the organization and the professional needs of Boston-based performing and visual artists at its center. Mahler Salinas will also provide leadership over several signature initiatives, including core residency programs in visual arts, dance, and theatre; short-duration lab residencies in dance and interdisciplinary arts; signature community events like the Boston Art Book Fair and #HellaBlack; and free year-round public programs and exhibitions.

“We are very excited to welcome someone as accomplished and talented as Zaquia to BCA,” said Keefe. “Her vision and deep experience building programs that create access and equity in the arts will further strengthen our residencies and programs. Her leadership in this role will make BCA even more effective in helping Boston’s artists thrive.”

Mahler Salinas is a Chicanx/Palestinian dance artist, educator, and arts administrator hailing from San Diego. She believes that revolution is possible through a collective awakening to mindful art practice, and that artists are critical for building a better world. Her work is grounded in emergent strategy, community, and the magic of collaboration.

"I am grateful for this opportunity to join the BCA community, and develop a meaningful relationship with the Boston arts scene,” said Mahler Salinas. “I am looking forward to supporting the vision for artist programs at BCA, particularly exploring the possibilities for transformative artist residency experiences that instigate thoughtful engagement with the larger arts scene and the greater Boston community."

Mahler Salinas holds a BA in Dance from UC Santa Barbara, an MFA in Dance: Creative Practice from Saint Mary’s College of California, and a certificate in Nonprofit Management from the University of San Diego. In 2018, Zaquia co-founded DISCO RIOT, a nonprofit movement-arts organization that works to support independent dance artists while advancing the dance scene in San Diego and beyond. She has been awarded various artistic residencies, including a 2019 residency in Bethlehem, Palestine where she focused on dance as a form of cultural, embodied resistance.

中華表演藝術基金會 Minsoo Sohn 鋼琴獨奏會 600觀眾掌聲絡繹不絕

          

Minsoo Sohn夫婦(左起)和他的恩師Wha Kyung Byun，
中華表演藝術基金會會長譚嘉陵。(周菊子攝)

(Boston Orange) 中華表演藝術基金會3月8日晚在紐英崙音樂學院喬登廳 (Jordan Hall)舉辦的韓國鋼琴家Minsoo Sohn獨奏會，吸引600多觀眾出席，喬登廳上下2層座位，幾乎全坐滿了人，Minsoo Sohn不僅謝幕3次，還得安可一小段，熱烈鼓掌的觀眾們才依依不捨離席。

多名音樂家和欣賞Minsoo Sohn的觀眾們在演奏會後，排成長龍，耐心等候向他致意，合影，甚至送上小禮物的機會。其中至少有一位名音樂家讚許地說，”you did good.”。

Minsoo Sohn。(中華表演藝術基金會提供)

這場音樂會原定2020年舉行，礙於新冠病毒疫情，被迫延後。3月8日晚，Minsoo Sohn演奏李斯特的安慰曲 Consolations S. 172 ，以及長度 超過一個小時 的超凡練習曲 Transcendental Etudes S. 139，博得滿堂采聲。

                                波士頓音樂情報（The Boston Musical Intelligencer）的音樂評論家 Sibylle Barrasso 說：“Minsoo Sohn 演奏的李斯特的《安慰曲》和《超凡練習曲》，讓人印象深刻，不只技藝精湛得顯而易見，演繹細膩動人，還在動態控制上精準非常，樂句塑造得清晰明確，節奏傳達出經過深思熟慮的自由感。

鋼琴大師Russell Sherman的妻子，本身也是著名鋼琴家兼教師的Wha Kyung Byun ，曾在 新英格蘭音樂學院教導 Minsoo 長達12年。她指出，李斯特的超凡練習曲是鋼琴演奏者的珠穆朗瑪峰，一次演奏所有12 首練習曲，需要海量努力，不僅身體要有耐力，還需要在一小時零五分鐘的長時間演奏中，集中注意力，克服曲目的強大挑戰。

Minsoo Sohn和中華表演藝術基金會會長譚嘉陵。(周菊子攝)

           Minsoo 在這場獨奏會中演奏李斯特超凡練習曲，就是為了向甫於2023年9月辭世的鋼琴大師，也是他恩師Wha Kyung Byun的丈夫，演奏代表作之一為李斯特超凡練習曲的Russell Sherman致敬。1976年時，Russell Sherman曾經一口氣演奏這12首李斯特練習曲，並留下令人驚嘆的錄音。Rusell Sherman的演奏對Minsoo顯然有很大影響，而且這傳承，還由Minsoo傳給學生Yunchan Lim，2022年時在Ft. Worth做了一次這些練習曲的現場錄音，以至於Wha Kyung Byun這晚見到Minsoo時激動非常，不僅大讚Minsoo的演奏，還思念丈夫的一度心情難以平復。

許多觀眾在演奏結束時送花。(周菊子攝)

            Minsoo Sohn還以詮釋巴赫的《哥德堡變奏曲》而聞名。，《紐約時報》曾稱讚他的錄音作品為「一個美麗而清晰的詮釋」，並列為2011年最佳古典音樂錄音之一。

在2020年，貝多芬誕辰250 週年的這一年，Minsoo Sohn 在首爾藝術中心舉辦過一系列獨奏會，演奏並錄製了貝多芬的32首奏鳴曲，以及貝多芬的巨著《迪亞貝利變奏曲》和小品集 (Diabelli Variations and Bagatelles)。2020年秋季，他發行了九張專輯組合《完整貝多芬鋼琴奏鳴曲集》(Complete Beethoven Piano Sonatas)。

                        曾在密歇根州立大學和韓國藝術大學執教的Minsoo Sohn，2023

年回母校新英格蘭音樂學院任教。他的一名學生任奫燦 ( Yunchan Lim) 2022年時贏得范克魯本 (Van Cliburn) 國際鋼琴比賽冠軍，成為該比賽有史以來最年輕獲獎者 (18歲)，現仍在新英格蘭音樂學院繼續跟隨Minsoo Sohn學習。

               3月8日晚，演奏會後，有超過35位跨世代知名音樂家齊聚一堂，祝賀Minsoo Sohn的演出成功。

               中華表演藝術基金會籲請各界上Instagram (@cathychanfcpa)，以及臉書關注該會，3月8日晚的音樂會錄影，也將於近日放上Youtube頻道: https://www.youtube.com/@FCPA/videos，供大眾免費欣賞。

2024波士頓馬拉松賽選中Rob Gronkowski擔任大統帥 將頒給"愛國者"獎

           (Boston Orange 摘譯) 波士頓體育會 (BAA) 3月12日宣佈，將頒發”愛國者”獎給美國足球聯盟超級碗的4X球員Rob Gronkowski ，並請他擔任今年的波士頓馬拉松賽大統帥。

”愛國者”獎是一個頒給愛國，做慈善，鼓舞人心，培養善意及體育精神的個人或組織的一個獎項，也使得從1897年開始舉辦的波士頓馬拉松賽和愛國者日有了更緊密結合。

            Gronk以其體育運動上的成就令人印象深刻而聞名。他對新英格蘭的影響，遠超過足球場的範圍。他和家人創辦了Gronk國家青年基金會，致力鼓勵青年藉由體育運動，教育，以及社區和健身，發揮最大潛能。該基金會目前的項目包括在查理士河畔建造Gronk遊樂園。

            波士頓體育會發展主任Nicole Juri表示，該會十分榮幸，能有Rob Gronkowski今年成為該會悠久傳統和慶祝的一部分，在比賽當天擔任大統帥。

                    波士頓體育會預定於4月13日(週六)，在該會的”回饋”慶祝中，由美國銀行頒給”愛國者”獎，並就任2024波士頓馬拉松賽大統帥，坐上全電動的2024本田序言 (Honda Prologue)汽車，從霍普金頓 (Hopkinton)開道Boston，把馬拉松獎盃送到終點線。

            波士頓體育會上周還宣佈了”黑女孩跑 (Black Girls RUM)”是2024 Dick and Rick Hoyt獎的得獎者。這一表揚展現支持，包容精神的獎項也將在波是噸體育會的”回饋”慶祝活動中頒發。

Rob Gronkowski named as Patriots’ Award recipient and Grand Marshal for 2024 Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America

BOSTON—The B.A.A. is delighted to announce that 4X NFL Super Bowl Rob Gronkowski is the recipient of the 2024 Patriots’ Award. This award is presented to a person or organization who is patriotic, philanthropic, and inspirational, and fosters goodwill and sportsmanship. The Patriots’ Award further unifies the Boston Marathon with Patriots’ Day, the holiday on which the race has been held since 1897. 

Known for his impressive athletic achievements, Gronk’s impact on New England extends far beyond the football field. Along with his family, he founded the Gronk Nation Youth Foundation which is dedicated to inspiring youth to reach their maximum potential through sports, education, community, and fitness. The current project of the Foundation involves constructing Gronk Playground on the Charles River Esplanade.

Gronkowski said, “Giving back has always been a priority in my life. When I first got to New England, Mr. Kraft and the Patriots Foundation ingrained in the team the importance of giving back to the community that gives back to us. And this community has supported me throughout my entire career. Now it's time for me to give back to help set others up for their own journey, especially the youth. This is why the Gronk Playground project is close to my heart. My family and I are honored to be able to give kids an awesome new space to play in the city.”

Nicole Juri, B.A.A. Director of Development said, “We are honored to have Rob Gronkowski as part of our Boston Athletic Association's long-standing traditions and celebrations this year. The work that he has done and continues to do for the Boston Community exemplifies what we look to recognize with our Patriots’ Award.

“Having him also serve as Grand Marshal on race day will bring a lot of added joy and excitement for the thousands of spectators who will be lining the streets from Hopkinton to Boston.”

Gronkowski’s amazing work will be applauded at the B.A.A. Gives Back Celebration presented by Bank of America on Saturday April 13, and in his role as Grand Marshal he will tour down the marathon course from Hopkinton to Boston in an All-Electric 2024 Honda Prologue delivering the trophy to the finish line ahead of the athletes on Monday April 15. 

Last week it was announced that Black Girls RUN! is the recipient of the 2024 Dick and Rick Hoyt Award which will also be presented at the B.A.A. Gives Back Celebration. This award is presented to a person or organization who exhibits their spirit through advocacy and inclusion.  
 
Black Girls RUN! is a community to inspire ALL women, especially Black women to be healthy & active. They are a friend and partner of the B.A.A. through the Bank of America Boston Marathon Official Charity Program, the Boston Running Collaborative, B.A.A. Gives Back Grant recipient and participant at our events year-round. Join us in applauding all their work nationally and in supporting their goal and mission. We will celebrate their amazing work at our B.A.A. Gives Back Event this April.

Past recipients of the Patriots’ Award:

Robert and Myra Kraft and the New England Patriots (2002)

Red Auerbach and the Red Auerbach Youth Foundation (2003)

Ron Burton and the Ron Burton Training Village (2004)

Boston Red Sox Foundation (2005)

Rick and Dick Hoyt (2006)

Joan Benoit Samuelson (2007)

Mike Andrews and the Jimmy Fund (2008)

Boston bartenders and philanthropists Eddie Doyle and Tommy Leonard (2009)

New England Patriot and three-time Super Bowl champion Tedy Bruschi (2010)

Carol Fulp, Senior Vice President of Brand Communications and Corporate Social Responsibility for John Hancock Financial Services (2011)

Boston Red Sox pitcher and active community philanthropist Tim Wakefield (2012)

Boston Marathon Shadow Run Founder, Lt. Colonel Rodney Freeman (2013)

One Fund Boston, Inc. (2014)

Thomas M. Menino Fund for Boston (2015)

Adrianne Haslet (2016)

Meb Keflezighi (2017)

David Fortier (2018)

Linda Driscoll, Dream Big! (2019)

Marty Walsh (2022)

David Ortiz (2023)

Past recipients of the Dick and Rick Hoyt Award:

Dick Hoyt (2021)

Chris Nickic (2022)

Adrianne Haslet (2023)

Click HERE for more information on the B.A.A. Gives Back Celebration presented by Bank of America

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.