Massachusetts is poised for a significant leap in research and innovation, with Governor Maura Healey announcing the formation of the DRIVE Acceleration Team. This new group, part of the Governor's Discovery, Research, Innovation for a Vibrant Economy (DRIVE) initiative, is designed to turbocharge the state's already formidable sector, as reported by the state's official website. The sector is not just a beacon for the brightest scientific minds but also sustains jobs across various industries, from education to retail.
With the DRIVE initiative, Healey aims to cement Massachusetts' position as a global leader in innovation and create thousands of jobs. The Acceleration Team will explore numerous strategies, examining ways to enhance the research and innovation ecosystem and develop robust public-private partnerships. According to a statement posted on the Massachusetts government official news page, “People around the world rely on the cures and scientific advancements that come from Massachusetts researchers,” Governor Healey said.
The team's chair is Quentin Palfrey, Governor Healey’s Director of Federal Funds and Infrastructure, and boasts members from the creme of the state's science research sector, higher education, and business groups. "Now is the time to think big about how to grow this sector, create more jobs, and strengthen our leadership globally," Palfrey told the Massachusetts government news page.
Along with this executive order, Governor Healey has pushed forward legislation proposing an investment of $400 million in state funds to leverage additional private and institutional resources. This is intended to supercharge the sector and ensure the retention of top-tier talent. The Administration and Finance Secretary, Matthew J. Gorzkowicz, emphasized the vitality of diverse expert opinions for the future of the state's innovation sector in a statement obtained by the state's news page.
The list of DRIVE appointees covers a broad range of expertise and includes distinguished figures from Harvard University, MIT, Northeastern University, Boston University, and many other prominent institutions. Additionally, figures from the healthcare industry, labor unions, and philanthropy circles round out the impressive roster. They all have a shared goal: to advance Massachusetts’ standing in the world of research and discovery, and to bolster the economy that thrives from it.
