Shawmut Design and Construction joins Draper to break ground on 111,000 s/f IMPACT Center in Lowell

Lowell, MA Shawmut Design and Construction, a $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, 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 s/f building with advanced microelectronic design, production, and packaging facilities to deliver 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 governor 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. By supporting this project, we are growing our economy, expanding opportunity for Massachusetts workers and building the domestic supply chains and technologies that our country depends on.”

“Microelectronics are a critical component in nearly every system used to safeguard our nation’s interests. 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,” said Jerry Wohletz, Ph.D., Draper’s president and CEO. “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 Center will enable high-mix, low-volume production supporting domains ranging from microelectronics to advanced precision navigation and timing systems.

“The groundbreaking of the IMPACT Center reflects the continued growth of LINC and UMass Lowell’s relationship with Draper,” said UMass Lowell chancellor Julie Chen. “By bringing industry and academia together in close proximity, LINC creates an innovation ecosystem where researchers can exchange ideas, students can gain career-connected experiences, and companies can tap into the university’s resources and expertise. The IMPACT Center will deepen those connections, leading to innovations in microelectronics while helping develop the future workforce.”

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.

Distinguished guests attending the ceremony included Massachusetts governor Maura Healey and lieutenant governor Kim Driscoll, U.S. congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03), University of Massachusetts president Marty Meehan, University of Massachusetts Lowell chancellor Julie Chen, and Lowell mayor Erik Gitschier. Draper president and CEO Jerry Wohletz hosted the event. He was joined by chief investment officer and senior vice president of Development at Wexford Science & Technology, John Grady.