Shawmut Design and Construction, a leading $2.3 billion national construction management firm, joined Draper, Wexford Science & Technology and state and local leaders to break ground on Draper's Integrated Microelectronics Production & Advanced Chip Technology (IMPACT) Center in Lowell, which will expand Draper's domestic chip production capabilities when it opens in 2029.
An integral part of the Lowell Innovation Network Corridor (LINC), the IMPACT Center will be a 111,000-square-ft. building with advanced microelectronic design, production, and packaging facilities to deliver cutting-edge technology to Draper's customers. The Center will create more than 100 new highly skilled jobs, including technicians, advanced degree engineers, and business executives.
Construction is being supported, in part, by state and local funding in partnership with the city of Lowell to strengthen the defense ecosystem in the Commonwealth.
“Microelectronics production leaves almost no margin for error, and the facilities that support it have to meet an equally exacting standard,” said Kevin Sullivan, executive vice president of Shawmut Design and Construction's New England Region. “The IMPACT Center is being built to support the highly specialized infrastructure and controlled environments this work requires, while providing the flexibility and performance needed from day one. We're proud to bring that level of precision to Lowell alongside Draper and Wexford.”
"Massachusetts is proud to be home to the talent and innovation driving the future of microelectronics and strengthening our nation's defense industrial base," said Gov. Maura Healey. "Draper's new IMPACT Center is a major investment in Lowell and is bringing together advanced manufacturing, cutting-edge research and high-quality jobs."
"Microelectronics are a critical component in nearly every system used to safeguard our nation's interests," said Jerry M. Wohletz, Draper's president and CEO. "To ensure the integrity of these systems, we must build and maintain a domestic microelectronics supply chain — one that is free from foreign influence and disruption. The IMPACT Center will expand our onshore capacity to create and deploy the systems our nation depends on. At the same time, the IMPACT Center will drive the local economy by creating new jobs for Lowell residents and UMass Lowell graduates and strengthen Massachusetts' position in the defense industrial base."
Upon completion in 2029, the IMPACT Center will offer manufacturing services spanning design to field-ready systems that meet the specific needs of Draper's customers.
The IMPACT Center will be located in the Hamilton Canal Innovation District and is part of the Lowell Innovation Network Corridor (LINC). LINC is an innovation ecosystem that stretches from the UMass Lowell campus into downtown Lowell that drives research, workforce development and economic growth while creating opportunities for students, faculty, companies and the community. Draper is an anchor tenant in LINC and currently has a corporate campus established within the corridor.
Draper is teaming with Wexford Science & Technology as the real estate developer for the project alongside GMH Communities and First Atlantic. In support of the development team is Shawmut Design and Construction and Burns & McDonnell.
