The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, the agency charged with implementing the state’s ten-year, $1 billion Life Sciences Initiative, will provide $14.6 million toward the $28 million project, with UMass Dartmouth providing the remaining funding. The Initiative was proposed by Governor Deval Patrick in 2007, and passed by the Legislature in 2008. Life science industry partners are expected to donate millions of dollars of equipment and expertise to the project.
"Investments in innovation, education and regional economies are key components of our job growth strategy and this project is just one of the ways we're putting that strategy into action," said Governor Patrick. "The Biomanufacturing Center and larger bio-park promise to connect Fall River and the region to the jobs of tomorrow and build an important life sciences cluster that will benefit the entire Commonwealth for years to come."
“As part of the Patrick-Murray Administration’s economic development plan, supporting innovation and regional development are key facets of our growing economy,” said Greg Bialecki, the Secretary of Housing and Economic Development. “This project capitalizes on the Commonwealth’s formidable strengths in life sciences and education to create high-quality jobs in this critical region and vital innovation sector.”
"We are excited to get this project moving forward,'' said UMass Dartmouth Chancellor Jean F. MacCormack, "This center will inspire our students and faculty to learn and discover, and it will create jobs that will keep our students in the region when they graduate. We look forward to the center becoming a cornerstone of a fast-emerging SouthCoast innovation triangle that also includes our core campus in Dartmouth and our marine science and arts facilities in New Bedford."
Susan Windham-Bannister, Ph.D., President & CEO of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, said, “The SouthCoast has a great deal to offer as a destination for biomanufacturing, and this new facility will serve as an anchor for efforts to attract industry to the region. This facility will also provide area students with opportunities to gain experience in, and increase the local talent pool of individuals with the skills needed for jobs in biomanufacturing.”
Added Fall River Mayor Will Flanagan: "The construction of the UMass Dartmouth Biomanufacturing Center and the establishment of a technology park within our city's borders will enhance our city's image. In the 18th century Fall River was known as a giant in the industry of textiles and now as we embark into the 21st century Fall River is positioned to once again be a giant in industry with the establishment of commerce in the areas of bio-manufacturing, life science, green energy, and solar power."
Under the terms of a written agreement between the University and Fall River, the city will donate four acres of land for the bio-manufacturing facility and set aside 150 acres for companies to expand from the facility into stand alone buildings. The facility will be located on a high profile parcel just off Route 24 near the entrance to the park. The Patrick-Murray Administration funded a $36M exit ramp from Route 24 into the park that opened in mid-January.
Once built, the UMass facility operation will be funded by license and fee-for-service payments from the companies using the facility to develop their products.
UMass Dartmouth, within its College of Engineering, will develop new programs to match the education needs of the facility. The university recently launched a new undergraduate and graduate program of studies in Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering which is the only one of its kind in the UMass system.
The facility will also engage in collaborations with the University's other innovation centers, including the main campus' 20,000 square foot inter-disciplinary research facility that includes a full cGMP facility, the Advanced Technology and Manufacturing Center located nearby, and the School for Marine Science and Technology in New Bedford.
About University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth
The University's mission is to provide an affordable and accessible education of high quality and to conduct programs of research and public service that advance knowledge and improve the lives of the people of the Commonwealth, the nation, and the world. The University of Massachusetts campuses (Amherst, Boston, Dartmouth, Lowell and Worcester) are accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, which accredits schools in the six New England states.
About the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center
The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) is a quasi-public agency of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts tasked with implementing the Massachusetts Life Sciences Act, a ten-year, $1 billion initiative that was signed into law in June of 2008. The Center’s mission is to create jobs in the life sciences and support vital scientific research that will improve the human condition. This work includes making financial investments in public and private institutions that are advancing life sciences research, development and commercialization as well as building ties between sectors of the Massachusetts life sciences community. For more information, visit www.masslifesciences.com.
Contacts:
Massachusetts Life Sciences Center
Angus G. McQuilken, Vice President for Communications
Phone: 617-921-7749 Email: amcquilken@masslifesciences.com
University of Massachusetts- Dartmouth
John T. Hoey,
Phone: 508-999-8027 Email: jhoey@umassd.edu
