LOWELL, Mass. — A major economic development initiative in Lowell is gaining momentum as Draper moves forward with plans for a $100 million microelectronics facility—part of a broader, multibillion-dollar vision championed by Maura Healey and local leaders.
The project is a cornerstone of the Lowell Innovation Network Corridor (LINC), a sweeping public-private partnership aimed at transforming downtown Lowell into a regional hub for innovation, housing, and workforce development. Governor Healey first unveiled the initiative as a “transformational economic development project” expected to generate more than $3.7 billion in economic activity and create roughly 2,000 permanent jobs over the next decade, along with 1,300 construction jobs and nearly 500 housing units.
“This is nothing short of a transformational economic development project for Lowell, the region, and Massachusetts. The next great innovation hub is going to be right here in Lowell,” Healey said at the initial announcement, where she was joined by Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll and other state and local officials.
Now, as reported by the Boston Business Journal, Draper has secured key local approvals to advance its portion of the project: a 75,000-square-foot Integrated Microelectronics Production & Advanced Chip Technology (IMPACT) Center. The Lowell City Council unanimously approved a land-disposition agreement allowing Wexford Science and Technology to move forward with construction of the facility, which Draper will occupy.
According to BBJ, the advanced manufacturing and research center is expected to create approximately 150 jobs and will focus on microelectronics design, research, manufacturing, and packaging—areas of growing importance as the U.S. seeks to expand domestic chip production.
“This is a huge milestone in this development,” Sarah Leeper, Draper’s vice president and general manager of its electronic systems group, told BBJ. “We want to bring this on line as soon as possible. There’s certainly demand for on-shore microelectronics. It is a need.”
The project has strong backing from both state and local governments. According to BBJ, Massachusetts and the city of Lowell have committed up to $25 million in public funding to support the development.
State officials have emphasized the broader economic and workforce implications of the LINC initiative. “The LINC will have significant impacts on Lowell’s economic competitiveness,” Lt. Gov. Driscoll said, highlighting its role in expanding housing, creating jobs, and supporting cutting-edge research.
The development is also closely tied to University of Massachusetts Lowell, which is playing a central role in the corridor’s growth. Chancellor Julie Chen said the collaboration is key to scaling research and innovation across industries ranging from robotics to advanced materials.
“This is what makes projects like this happen in a Gateway City,” Chen told BBJ following the recent approval, pointing to the strong partnerships among the university, government, and private sector.
The LINC project is already reshaping Lowell’s landscape. Plans call for 1.2 million square feet of development, including technology space, housing, and student accommodations. The corridor has also attracted partnerships with major companies and continues to build momentum as a destination for high-growth industries.
Local officials say Draper’s investment is a major step toward that vision. Thomas Golden Jr. told BBJ that the collaboration demonstrates Lowell’s ability to attract major employers and streamline development.
“Working with Draper, Wexford and UMass Lowell showed what true professionals can accomplish together,” Golden said, adding that the project will unlock new opportunities for innovation, workforce development, and long-term growth.
Originally announced in 2024, Draper’s facility is expected to break ground later this year, with operations potentially beginning by late 2028, according to BBJ.
Together, state leaders and industry stakeholders say the project signals a new chapter for Lowell—positioning the city as a rising innovation center and a viable alternative to traditional tech hubs in Boston and Cambridge.
