US' Baker-Polito administration awards $2.8 mn to three manufacturers

The three awards highlight the Commonwealth’s strength in innovative textiles, an advanced manufacturing sector targeted by the M2I2 programme and a sector that the Commonwealth has played a leadership role in over the last two centuries. Grants were also awarded to Soliyarn, a maker of smart textiles based in Belmont, and to Human Systems Integration (H.S.I.), a wearable technology company headquartered in Walpole.

“These three grantees are developing technical apparel used in medical and military applications, ‘smart’ products that provide enhanced protection from the elements but also provide enhanced functionality,” said governor Charlie Baker. “Through this support, they have the opportunity to enhance their ability to compete in markets across the US and the globe.”

“Since its launch in 2016, M2I2 has impacted over 150 companies across the state and created hundreds of jobs at manufacturers like these,” said Lt. governor Karyn Polito. “For these three grantees, the addition of new tools will help them grow their businesses, add jobs, and bring new products to market, further boosting our economy and growing our manufacturing sector.”

The M2I2 programme, co-managed by the Centre for Advanced Manufacturing (CAM) at the MassTech Collaborative and the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, aims to foster and grow sectors such as this to spur innovation and job growth within the state through cross-collaboration among companies, universities, national labs, government, incubators, accelerators, and other academic and training institutions. To date, the programme has invested over $80 million in direct grants to growing companies, universities, and research labs across the state, the official website of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts said.

“Through the M2I2 programme, we identify manufacturers that can leverage state funding to drive future growth, allowing them to become more efficient, more competitive, and more responsive to customer needs,” said housing and economic development secretary Mike Kennealy. “For 99Degrees, Soliyarn, and H.S.I., these grants will help fuel the development of new products and drive corporate expansion, while simultaneously creating more high-skilled jobs and more innovative ‘Made in Mass’ products in the marketplace.”

The Baker-Polito Administration has committed more than $100 million in funding to the M2I2 effort, which allows the Commonwealth to co-invest in projects supported by the national Manufacturing US initiative, helping promote innovation and job growth across the state. The three grantees have also received support from the Advanced Functional Fabrics of America (AFFOA) national manufacturing institute based in Cambridge.

"Our strong manufacturing sector and involvement with companies through programmes like M2I2 was a key reason why Massachusetts was quickly able to address the negative supply issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Ben Linville-Engler, chief investment strategist at the MassTech Collaborative. “The Commonwealth’s engagement with manufacturers and partnership with key R&D facilities, made it much easier to help textile manufacturers and others pivot to produce millions of masks, gowns, and face shields that were in high-demand at that time because that trust and collaboration already existed. These investment programs have created a strong foundation that have led to these manufacturing success stories that we intend to continue to build on.”

In addition to the $80 million directly invested in Massachusetts organisations, M2I2 has leveraged over $250 million in funding from outside sources, helping to enable the development of over 100 new products. In addition to infrastructure investments, the programme has also created workforce training opportunities for thousands of students and workers statewide. 

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RR)