Massachusetts Governor Touts Defense Tech as Economic Driver

Healey says state is 'all in' on defense sector, with applications across industries

Apr. 12, 2026 at 2:25pm

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A highly detailed, photorealistic studio photograph of a metallic drone or other advanced defense technology component, floating against a clean, monochromatic background and dramatically lit to convey a sense of innovation, national security, and economic potential.Advanced defense technologies drive economic growth in Massachusetts, with applications across multiple industries.Boston Today

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey touted the state's embrace of the defense sector as an economic development strategy, saying the technologies and supply chains associated with defense have broad applications beyond national security. Healey highlighted the Massachusetts Strategic Hub for Innovation, Exchange and Leadership in Defense (SHIELD) initiative as a signal of the state's commitment to the industry, which she said generates $48 billion in GDP, roughly 7% of the state's total.

Why it matters

Healey's comments reflect a shift in how states approach economic development, with a greater focus on leveraging specialized industries and technology clusters to drive broader growth. The defense sector, with its advanced R&D and manufacturing capabilities, is seen as a key asset that can benefit other industries like marine technology and climate tech.

The details

At a New England Council breakfast, Healey repurposed a hockey analogy, saying Massachusetts is focused on 'going to where the puck is going to be' by leaning into the defense industry. She said the state recognizes that 'national security and our defense industry, and the economic growth from the defense industry — and all the technologies, by the way, associated with that supply chain, associated with that — these things and our own economic growth go hand in hand.' Healey touted the SHIELD initiative, which she said signals the state is 'all in on the defense sector.'

  • Healey announced the SHIELD initiative in October 2025.
  • Healey made these comments at a New England Council breakfast in Boston on April 12, 2026.

The players

Maura Healey

The Governor of Massachusetts, who is promoting the state's embrace of the defense sector as an economic development strategy.

Wayne Gretzky

A legendary hockey player whose quote about 'going to where the puck is going to be' Healey repurposed for her economic development mantra.

Eric Paley

The Massachusetts Secretary of Economic Development, who was 'out hustling for business' during Healey's remarks.

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What they’re saying

“The hockey people talk about going to where the puck … where it's going to be, right? That's what we do in Massachusetts. We lean into this space because we know today's wars are fought at a keyboard. Some of the many technologies that we apply in the defense industry are applicable in marine technology, in climate technology — all these things homegrown here.”

— Maura Healey, Governor of Massachusetts

What’s next

Healey said she plans to file an economic development bill 'at some point' this legislative session, which has less than four months remaining. She emphasized that economic development is a daily priority for her administration, not just about passing legislation.

The takeaway

Massachusetts is positioning its robust defense industry as a key economic driver, leveraging the advanced technologies and supply chains to spur growth in other sectors like marine and climate tech. Healey's 'all in' approach signals a strategic shift in how states approach economic development, focusing on specialized industry clusters rather than broad-based incentives.