Engineering research company Draper recently broke ground on their Integrated Microelectronics Production & Advanced Chip Technology (IMPACT) Center in Lowell, Massachusetts. This new, 111,000-square-foot building will house advanced microelectronic design, production, and packing facilities and will deliver cutting-edge technology to Draper’s customers.
VHB supported the project’s real estate developer, Wexford Science & Technology, and their design lead, Burns & McDonell, and provided a full suite of integrated services for the design, permitting, and construction of the project, including site-civil design, permitting and compliance, air quality analysis, noise and vibration analysis, and traffic engineering services.
“The IMPACT Center represents a significant advancement in Lowell’s position as a hub of innovation, technology, and research,” said New England Institutional Market Lead and Project Manager Chris Lovett. “Along with providing a reliable source for sophisticated technology systems, the project will expand economic opportunities for residents and strengthen the partnership between the City of Lowell, UMass Lowell, and the broader research ecosystem.”
Upon completion in 2029, the new building will create more than 100 new, highly skilled jobs, including technicians, engineers, and business executives. Construction of the Center is being supported partially by state and local funding in partnership with the City of Lowell to bolster the defense industrial base in Massachusetts. The Center will enable high-mix, low-volume manufacturing of products ranging from advanced precision navigation and timing systems to microelectronics—a significant component in nearly every defense system used to safeguard the United States.
Located in the Hamilton Canal Innovation District, the IMPACT Center will be an integral part of the Lowell Innovation Network Corridor (LINC), a research ecosystem that drives innovation, workforce development, and economic growth. Following Lowell’s designation as the country’s first “Frontrunner City” last year, this project is another significant step towards establishing the City as a hub for innovation-driven urban development.
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