LYNN – The Healey-Driscoll Administration highlighted GE Aerospace’s $42 million investment in its Lynn manufacturing facility, which is strengthening Massachusetts’ defense industry, supporting local jobs and advancing the state’s leadership in advanced manufacturing.
Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley, Economic Development Undersecretary Zenobia Moochhala, and CEO of Mass Tech Collaborative Carolyn Kirk toured GE Aerospace’s facility in Lynn to mark the investment, which will upgrade machinery, expand test capacity, and modernize operations. The project is part of GE Aerospace’s broader $1 billion investment to expand manufacturing across the United States during 2026.
"Massachusetts' defense sector plays a critical role in our national security and our economy, supporting thousands of jobs and generating billions in economic impact,” said Governor Maura Healey. "That’s why we launched our Strategic Hub for Innovation, Exchange and Leadership in Defense (SHIELD) Initiative, to bring together advanced manufacturing, applied research and emerging technologies in a unified strategy. GE Aerospace’s investment strengthens our manufacturing base, supports good-paying jobs, and ensures Massachusetts continues to lead in building in the technologies that keep our countries safe."
“Here in Massachusetts, we have the tools, science and talent to help safeguard the nation. We have the innovative and coordinated ecosystem to ensure we’re protecting our servicemen and women, while also creating a lot of great jobs in our state,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Through SHIELD, we are aligning advanced manufacturing, applied research and emerging technologies into one cohesive strategy. With partners like GE Aerospace, who are leaders in defense manufacturing, we’re building the next chapter of our legacy.”
Massachusetts plays a pivotal role in the nation’s defense ecosystem as the home of leading research institutions, advanced manufacturers, and a highly skilled workforce. The industry supports more than 130,000 jobs, contributes $15.2 billion in annual labor income, and generates $48.6 billion in annual economic output, underscoring the state’s critical role in national security and innovation.
This investment builds on Massachusetts’ continued momentum in advanced manufacturing and defense innovation, as the state attracts new investment, expands workforce pipelines, and strengthens partnerships between industry, government, and research institutions.
Governor Healey’s SHIELD initiative is designed to strengthen the state's defense leadership and accelerate the development of cutting-edge national security solutions. Through an Executive Order, Governor Healey directed state agencies to identify ways to increase support for defense sector initiatives across the administration, and established a SHIELD Working Group, led by the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech), to advise the Governor and Lieutenant Governor on advancing the defense sector in Massachusetts.
“GE Aerospace’s investment in Lynn is a strong signal that Massachusetts remains a leader in advanced manufacturing and defense innovation,” said Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley. “We have the talent, infrastructure, and ecosystem that companies need to grow and compete. Through initiatives like SHIELD, we are continuing to invest in that foundation and make it easier for companies to build and scale here.”
Governor Healey has also invested in Massachusetts advanced manufacturing through the Mass Leads Act, which provides more than $300 million in capital authorization for new and existing programs at the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative to support advanced manufacturing, robotics, the Massachusetts TechHub Program, as well as for Small Business Technology Grants at MassVentures.
“At GE Aerospace, we are proud of the work that the Lynn team does every day to ensure the mission readiness and safe return of the warfighters,” said Paul Ferraro, Vice President & General Manager of Defense Engines & Services at GE Aerospace. “To meet their critical mission demands, we continue to invest in our people and our facilities to further strengthen our manufacturing capabilities to deliver to our customers. Today’s visit by the Lieutenant Governor was an opportunity to talk about our shared commitment to advance manufacturing in Massachusetts, and we look forward to working together on these key initiatives.”
GE Aerospace’s Lynn facility has a history that dates back more than 130 years and is recognized as one of the founding sites of the General Electric Company. The site is home to the first U.S. jet engine and continues to design, produce, assemble, and test military aircraft engines and components.
To further spur interest in manufacturing careers, the GE Foundation has funded $2.5 million in grants that established an Advanced Manufacturing Training Expansion Program (AMTEP) focused in Lynn and the North Shore. The program has helped address the skills gap in the region by supporting and coordinating advanced manufacturing training for 600 individuals since 2020 and connected them to full-time employment to meet the needs of manufacturing employers.
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