March 06, 2023

Senator Warren, Lawmakers Urge Defense Department to Approve MassTech Collaborative Funding Proposal to Advance Microelectronic Research Across the Northeast

Massachusetts Delegation Letter of Support (pdf)

Boston, MA - United States Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) Subcommittee on Personnel, led two letters to Department of Defense (DoD) Secretary Lloyd Austin expressing support for the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech) Northeast Microelectronics Coalition’s (NEMC) proposal to the DoD Microelectronics Commons Program. One of the letters was signed by members of the Massachusetts delegation, while the other was signed by SASC members Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and Richard Blumenthal (Conn.), reflecting the broad value of this proposal to the region. This award would help NEMC lead the way to new advances in microelectronics research, grow Massachusetts’ commercial microelectronics sector, and strengthen our national security by onshoring manufacturing – all while creating thousands of jobs.

“For decades, Massachusetts has been a national leader in transforming federal dollars into cutting-edge research, and I’ve long advocated for big investments in science. Massachusetts has what it takes to meet our national security needs when it comes to the research, development and manufacturing of microelectronics. Together with a broad coalition of lawmakers, I’m urging Defense Secretary Austin to make these scientific investments in our communities,” said Senator Warren.

“Massachusetts has long been a leader on innovation and technology. This proposal would build on that legacy by investing in groundbreaking research, programs to train a highly skilled workforce of tomorrow, and resources for new startups and ventures,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We’re grateful to the Biden Administration for taking a whole-nation approach to reestablishing a strong industrial and manufacturing base in the United States, and excited about this opportunity for Massachusetts to play a role in our country’s national security and competitiveness.”

“We are proud of our state's robust microelectronics base, which has strong ties to the DoD. In the last 10 years, Massachusetts has seen its manufacturing output grow by nearly 25%, with computer and electronic product manufacturing representing the top manufacturing sector. Our existing infrastructure is positioned to scale to provide the output of research, development and manufacturing necessary to meet the needs of the DoD. NEMC will enable more manufacturers and startup companies to gain access to top fabrication facilities to move ideas seamlessly from prototyping into production,” the Massachusetts Delegation wrote in their letter to DoD.

“This proposal brings together eight states across the Northeast region with a variety of strengths and capabilities that can contribute to the growing demand to move microelectronics from research to domestic production to market adaptation. This supports our nation’s defense priorities while addressing the future needs of the region and our country’s defense manufacturing base,” wrote Senators Warren, Blumenthal, and Gillibrand in their letter to DoD.

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