$1.7M grant to help Mass. defense industry; fund Worcester training efforts

Jack Healy is the president and CEO of MassMEP that will benefit from the $1.7 million grant.

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By Sam Bonacci

A $1.7 million federal grant will bring together a number of agencies in a research and training effort aimed at helping Massachusetts’ defense-related businesses expand into civilian markets.

The grant from the U.S. Department of Defense’s Office of Economic Adjustment builds upon a similar grant of $1.4 million issued last year to MassDevelopment, the state’s finance and development agency, according to a release from the organization. Under this new grant, the organization will partner with Worcester’s Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership and the Smaller Business Association of New England.

The partnership will analyze the Massachusetts-based defense supply chain, help companies commercialize their research products, and expand the efforts of MassDevelopment’s Manufacturing Innovation Centers, according to a release. U.S. Rep. Niki Tsongas said that this investment will have a “significant” impact on the Massachusetts economy and is recognition of the schools, research institutions and military facilities in place in the state.

The funding will allow MassMEP, through MassDevelopment, to expand its outreach to defense manufacturers and expand its workforce-development efforts such as an eight-week CNC operator skills training course for the unemployed conducted with Worcester Polytechnic Institute.