Press Release: 8/13/2026
Governor Healey Awards $6 Million to Drive Business Expansion, Create 1,000 Jobs Across Massachusetts
Business Builds Grants will support six capital projects in manufacturing, robotics, life sciences, autonomous systems and other key industries
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
8/12/2026
BOSTON — Governor Healey today announced $6 million in Business Builds Capital Grants to support six major business expansion projects across Massachusetts. The projects will leverage more than $300 million in private investment, create an expected 1,000 new jobs, and will help companies expand facilities, modernize equipment, and advance industry-leading technologies.
“Companies are choosing Massachusetts to grow, invest and create jobs because of our talented workforce and our leadership in innovation,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Through Business Builds, we’re partnering with companies that are making major investments in our state and helping them put down deeper roots here. These projects will create 1,000 new jobs and strengthen communities across Massachusetts.”
“Business Builds is about turning private investment into tangible benefits for our communities,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “By partnering with companies that are ready to grow, we’re supporting new jobs, stronger local economies, and investment in communities across Massachusetts.”
Established through the Mass Leads Act, the Business Builds Capital Grant Program is administered by the Massachusetts Office of Business Development (MOBD) within the Executive Office of Economic Development. The program provides targeted capital grants to help businesses grow, relocate, create jobs, and make qualified investments in Massachusetts facilities.
“From established manufacturers to companies developing cutting-edge robotics and autonomous systems, these projects reflect the range of innovative businesses investing and growing in Massachusetts,” said Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley. “By supporting these investments, we’re helping companies expand their presence in the state while creating new opportunities for talent and strengthening the industries that drive our economy.”
Business Builds supports the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s broader strategy to strengthen the state’s economic competitiveness while directing public resources toward projects that provide clear public benefits. The program works alongside existing economic development tools, including the Economic Development Incentive Program, by supporting facility and equipment investments that drive job creation, regional growth, and private-sector investment. Awardees are required to provide a dollar-for-dollar match for grant funds. Through Business Builds, EOED seeks to support business attraction and retention across Massachusetts, including in Gateway Cities, rural communities, and underutilized or redevelopment areas.
Awarded projects for the May 2026 round include:
Boston Dynamics, Waltham - $1.25 million
Boston Dynamics develops advanced mobile robotics used in inspection, warehouse automation, and industrial applications. The $1.25 million award will support the renovation and buildout of approximately 330,000 square feet of space in Waltham for robotics manufacturing, training, research and development, and related operations, including work related to the company’s Spot and Stretch platforms. The project will expand advanced manufacturing capacity and support Boston Dynamic’s plan to create 650 new full-time jobs in Massachusetts over the next three years, while keeping the company’s innovation-to-manufacturing value chain in the state and incorporating energy-efficiency upgrades.
SMC Ltd., Devens - $1.25 million
SMC Ltd. is a global medical device manufacturer and development partner serving original equipment manufacturers in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors. The $1.25 million award will support the renovation of SMC’s existing 330,000-square-foot Devens facility and construction of a new 100,000-square-foot building, including high-efficiency HVAC systems, insulated building panels, injection molding machines, and power systems. The expansion is expected to create 190 new full-time jobs and retain 440 existing jobs in Massachusetts, while helping SMC increase production capacity with more efficient building systems and manufacturing equipment.
Autonodyne LLC, Boston - $1 million
Autonodyne is a software company developing collaborative autonomy, command-and-control, and human-machine teaming solutions across air, sea, and land systems. The $1 million award will support construction and equipment for the Autonomy Advancement and Demonstration Center, a 6,500-square-foot demonstration lab and classroom with simulator stations, secure collaboration space, IT systems, demonstration cockpits, and training areas. The project is expected to create 97 new competitive wage jobs, strengthen a local workforce pipeline through internships and training partnerships, and incorporate high-efficiency HVAC, LED lighting, low-VOC materials and Energy Star or EPEAT Gold-certified equipment. The company anticipates in will source most project work from Massachusetts-based vendors.
CBSET Inc., Waltham - $1 million
CBSET is a preclinical translational research institute that supports life sciences companies developing drugs, medical devices, and other medical innovations. The $1 million award will support CBSET’s relocation and expansion from Lexington to Waltham through the renovation of a 104,000-square-foot building with laboratories, procedure rooms, operating rooms, offices, and upgraded building controls for air handling and HVAC systems. The project is expected to create 75 new jobs over the next three years, expand capacity for Massachusetts life sciences companies, and reduce historic building energy usage by an estimated 30 to 40 percent through a new building automation system and HVAC controls.
Helfrich Bros. Boiler Works Inc., Lawrence - $1 million
Helfrich Bros. Boiler Works is a family-owned Lawrence manufacturer of commercial boilers and ASME pressure vessels used in heating and industrial applications, including systems serving renewable energy customers. The $1 million award will help the company acquire land adjacent to its existing Lawrence site and construct a new 65,000-square-foot manufacturing facility with cranes, welding equipment, an automated paint booth, and a testing station. The project is expected to create at least 30 new jobs with competitive wages and benefits, increase the company’s welding school and apprenticeship capacity, support local suppliers, and redevelop a long-underutilized site near the proposed Merrimack Rail Trail.
Entegris Inc., Billerica - $500,000
Entegris develops filtration, purification, and materials-handling products used by semiconductor manufacturers in advanced chip production. The $500,000 award will help the company purchase and install manufacturing, handling, cleaning, inspection, and cleanroom equipment and make upgrades at its Billerica site to expand advanced filter production. The project will support the long-term retention of a 485-person Billerica workforce, strengthen Massachusetts’ semiconductor supply chain, and support filtration technologies that can reduce semiconductor rework, water use, chemical use, and wastewater impacts.
MOBD is currently accepting applications for the next round of Business Builds. The deadline for applications is September 30, 2026.
About the Massachusetts Office of Business Development
The Massachusetts Office of Business Development (MOBD) within the Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED) assists businesses expanding in and relocating to Massachusetts, with specific attention paid to projects that create and retain jobs and invest capital. MOBD administers the Economic Development Incentive Program. The MOBD team provides a highly responsive, central point of contact that facilitates access to resources, expertise, and incentive programs for businesses. The MOBD team is part of EOED’s effort to connect businesses with resources through the Business Front Door at www.mass.gov/bfd.
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