Draper Launches Major Chip Hub in Lowell to Boost US Tech and Defense

A big change is coming to downtown Lowell. Draper, a tech company known for its work on the Apollo 11 moon landing, just broke ground on a new high-tech facility. This isn't just any building. It's a massive 111,000-square-foot center focused on making advanced computer chips right here in the U.S.

The project is part of something even bigger called the Lowell Innovation Network Corridor, or LINC. LINC is a plan to connect different parts of the city, bringing together schools, businesses, and government. The goal? To create a hub where new ideas can grow and help the country stay strong in tech and defense.

Why does this matter? Right now, most of the world's chip packaging happens overseas. Only 3% of it is done in the U.S. That's a problem when it comes to national security. Draper's new IMPACT Center aims to fix that by building a reliable place to make some of the most advanced chips in the country.

The project is worth $105 million and is expected to open in 2028. It's not just about jobs, though it will create thousands. It's also about learning. Draper plans to give up to $10 million to UMass Lowell over the next ten years. That money will support students and research, helping the next generation of engineers and scientists.

Big names showed up for the groundbreaking, including the governor and other top leaders. They all agree this project could bring more than $3.7 billion to the state over the next decade. It's a bold move, but many say it's needed to keep America competitive in technology and defense.