UMass Lowell, state officials unveil LINC project; Draper to expand microelectronics work in Lowell

UMass Lowell and state leaders onstage in Lowell on the LINC announcement described a multi‑phase, public‑private effort they said will bring research companies, housing and thousands of jobs to the city.

At a ceremonial event, officials introduced the Lowell Innovation Network Corridor—branded LINC or "The Link"—and credited state, federal and private partners for assembling what speakers described as a campus‑scale initiative that will connect companies to the university and the city. Governor Maura Healey said housing was "baked in" to keep young workers and students in the region and framed the project as a model for pairing research, industry and workforce development.

Officials said private development partners GMH Communities and Wexford Science & Technology have committed more than $600,000,000 to the project. Speakers from the university and state described workforce and economic goals that include roughly 2,000 permanent jobs, about 1,300 construction jobs and 500 housing units; Congresswoman Lori Trahan and other speakers also cited a larger estimated economic impact figure in the billions of dollars.

Draper, the nonprofit research laboratory that traced its origins to work on Apollo-era guidance systems, was presented as a planned R&D anchor. Draper’s representative described the organization’s intent to expand its microelectronics work in Massachusetts and said Draper would roughly double its staff nationwide in coming years; the company said its initial Lowell footprint would be phased and that an interim site would accommodate company staff while permanent facilities are built.

University and city leaders outlined a near‑term occupancy plan they called "Phase 0," which would use about 90,000 square feet in Wanalansett Mills to host companies before new construction begins. Officials said they expect a ceremonial groundbreaking next year and that companies could begin moving into interim spaces over a coming summer and fall, with construction of permanent buildings to follow over subsequent years.

Chancellor Julie Chen (referenced in remarks during the event) and UMass System President Marty Meehan emphasized the project’s private‑sector drive while noting the state partnership was essential to advance and attract tenants. Draper highlighted internship and co‑op pathways, a Draper scholar program for graduate students, and plans to hire engineers, scientists and technicians across phases of the buildout.

The event included a short press Q&A. Questions addressed Draper’s statewide footprint (officials said the Lowell effort is an expansion, not a relocation), early hiring and the university’s plans to adjust curricula to meet industry need. Officials said the university regularly updates programs and that industry partners often teach or advise courses.

Next steps officials described were finalizing phased site work, beginning occupancy in the Phase 0 space in the near term, and preparing for a formal groundbreaking next year. Officials said additional funding sources and federal awards will be pursued to support microelectronics and related initiatives.

(Reporting note: numbers and program names reflect figures and agency names as stated during the announcement. Where the event stated multiple aggregate economic figures, the article reports the numbers as the speakers presented them.)