Executive Order  No. 648: Establishing a Strategic Hub for Innovation, Exchange and Leadership in Defense

WHEREAS, Massachusetts has a long and proud history as a leading defense state, with numerous groundbreaking inventions and innovations in communications, radar, software, and other critical technologies supporting our national and economic security;  

WHEREAS, Massachusetts’ strong defense sector supports more than 130,000 jobs, contributes $15.2 billion in annual labor income, and generates $48.6 billion in annual economic output;  

WHEREAS, Massachusetts is home to six military installations, major defense contractors, leading institutions of higher education, and multiple organizations with legacies of cutting-edge work in the defense sector;  

WHEREAS, opportunities for greater economic growth, job creation, and talent recruitment and retention remain strong throughout the defense sector, as critical technologies such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, robotics and autonomous systems, semiconductors and microelectronics, biosecurity, and advanced manufacturing are developed and refined;  

WHEREAS, the Healey-Driscoll Administration is committed to ensuring alignment across executive department offices and agencies with state-level defense sector initiatives; and  

WHEREAS, convening stakeholders to share their experiences and best practices in defense sector initiatives can lead to more effective strategies to improve inclusion of, and opportunities for, small, emerging, and diverse businesses, institutions of higher education, and non-profit organizations in Massachusetts;    

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Maura T. Healey, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution, Part 2, c. 2, § I, Art. I, do hereby order as follows:  

Section 1. Executive Branch Review of Opportunities for Defense Sector Alignment  

All executive department offices shall review existing and planned initiatives to identify opportunities to create new economic growth for defense sector organizations in Massachusetts and to increase support for individuals seeking to navigate state agency defense sector initiatives. This review shall explore initiatives including, but not limited to: grant programs, tax incentives, STEM education, workforce development, higher education, energy and environment, veterans’ services, and military family support. Executive department offices shall also consider whether new programs or policies would help to accomplish these goals.  

Within six months of this Order, each executive department office will report back to the Governor and Lieutenant Governor on its findings. Thereafter, each executive department office shall continue its focus on defense sector initiatives and, as appropriate, present additional issues and actionable policies to the Governor and Lieutenant Governor.  

Section 2. Strategic Hub for Innovation, Exchange, and Leadership in Defense Working Group  

There is hereby established a Strategic Hub for Innovation, Exchange, and Leadership in Defense (SHIELD) Working Group to advise the Governor and Lieutenant Governor on advancing the defense sector in Massachusetts.  

The Working Group shall:  

Identify key operational, technological, policy, ecosystem, and strategic challenges facing military installation and defense sector participants, and establish an action agenda to address these challenges to accelerate growth, access, partnership opportunities, and funding for Massachusetts-based organizations;  

Promote research and development initiatives and partnerships that advance emerging technologies that are critical to economic and national security;  

Build upon partnerships between military institutions, private industry, and academic research centers to strengthen public-private relationships, ensure access for small and medium businesses to opportunities, drive innovation, and ensure the integrity of critical domestic supply chains;  

Support initiatives that enhance STEM education, workforce training, and talent retention in defense-related fields in alignment with the Massachusetts defense sector’s current and future needs; and  

Identify and pursue federal and state funding opportunities that support research, prototyping, development, technology commercialization, adoption, and deployment of technologies for defense applications and defense industrial base adoption.  

Section 3. Working Group Membership  

The Working Group shall consist of the Chief Executive Officer of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, or their designee, who shall serve chair; the Executive Director of the Military Asset & Security Strategy Task Force; the Secretary of Economic Development, or their designee; the Secretary of Education, or their designee; the Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development, or their designee; the Director of Federal Funds within the Executive Office of Administration and Finance, or their designee; the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, or their designee; the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, or their designee; the Executive Director of Mass Ventures, or their designee; and at least four individuals to be appointed by the governor, who shall have experience in the defense sector, the military, public-private partnerships, or economics and economic development.  

All members shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor in an advisory capacity and without compensation.  

Section 4. Report  

The Working Group shall prepare a written final report summarizing its findings, analysis, and policy options. The final report may include recommended legislative or administrative actions and may also outline further areas for study or stakeholder engagement.  

Section 5. Agency Assistance  

All offices and agencies of the executive department shall, to the maximum extent possible, be responsive to requests related to the implementation of this order and assist by sharing documents, information, and expertise, as requested.  

Section 6. Additional Provisions  

This Executive Order shall continue in effect until amended, superseded, or revoked by subsequent Executive Order.