I’ve long argued that Western Massachusetts is well-positioned to become a hub for domestic clean technology manufacturing. This vision – pushed by the Berkshire Innovation Center (BIC) and a coordinated group of local and regional partners – was bolstered last month by a major accolade: the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Phase III "MAKE IT" Activate Award.
The MAKE IT Award and Its Implications
Awarded through the DOE’s Manufacture of Advanced Key Energy Infrastructure Technologies program, the MAKE IT Prize is part of a strategic push to strengthen America’s clean energy supply chains and manufacturing capabilities. The competition played out in three phases. We were the only Massachusetts community selected as a Phase I awardee last Fall and the only community in New England selected as a Phase II awardee this past spring. Just before the holidays, we were announced as one of five winners in the final round of the competition – “Phase III” – joining notable projects in Chicago, Rochester, Cleveland, and Tulsa.
The competition involved aligning a wide range of partners and building a regional roadmap to support and cluster clean technology manufacturing. It was a highly competitive process that helped us form a clear vision and strong coalition.
The vision was built in coordination with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, which has made climate tech a key pillar in its economic development strategy. The State’s efforts are led by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center whose CEO, Emily Reichert, visited recently. In highlighting the region’s potential, she noted that “Western Massachusetts has pre-existing manufacturing infrastructure, a burgeoning cluster of climatetech companies, and the ‘connective tissue’ of the BIC to bring it all together.”
A Vision for Innovation and Sustainability
Our roadmap builds on the region’s industrial heritage and natural strengths – affordable land, a skilled workforce, and proximity to research institutions like UMass Amherst, RPI, WPI, and MIT. The State’s recently signed Mass Leads Act, which includes a nearly $1B dollar investment in climate tech innovation and manufacturing, accelerates the opportunity.
Key to the effort is attracting and supporting startups, which often face challenges transitioning from research to commercialization. The BIC’s ecosystem provides essential resources, including advanced prototyping labs, mentorship, and access to industry networks. Growing climate tech firms in Western Massachusetts – such as Sublime Systems, Clean Crop Technologies, Noble Carbon, IdleSmart, and SolaBlock – demonstrate the region’s potential and the capabilities.
Building a Clean Tech Ecosystem
At the heart of it all is the BIC as a regional hub. Since we opened our doors, we have worked with industry, academic, and governmental partners to provide access to shared labs and technology, workforce development initiatives, and programs for entrepreneurs. Key programs include:
● The BIC Manufacturing Academy, developed in partnership with MIT, this program is designed to support the growth and development of the future leaders of regional firms.
● The Stage 2 Accelerator Program, a 35-week hands-on program designed to serve early-stage tech startups that are building a physical product and moving toward the manufacturing phase.
● Future Innovators Summer Program, an intensive experiential learning program designed to connect high school students with local businesses and engage in technologies offered at the BIC.
A Network of Collaboration
The success of the roadmap relies on the collaboration of ecosystem partners. This includes quasi-governmental entities such as the Mass Clean Energy Center, the Mass Tech Collaborative, and MassDevelopment; statewide entrepreneur support organizations such as Forge, Greentown Labs, and the Engine; major research institutions such as MIT, UMass Amherst, and RPI; and local economic development partners such as 1Berkshire, Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, the Pittsfield Economic Development Authority, and the Berkshire Black Economic Council.
These partnerships are not just on paper. We have built meaningful bonds and a web of connectivity. Growing companies need a range of support and expertise, and the pathways we have laid are critical, particularly for firms looking to prototype, pilot, and scale their technologies.
Massachusetts Leadership More Critical Than Ever
The MAKE IT award signifies more than recognition - it’s a launchpad for Western Mass to play a leading role in what Governor Healey describes as Massachusetts “Clean Tech Corridor.” With policy changes at the Federal level, leadership at the State level – and involvement from all corners of the Commonwealth – is more important than ever. There has been historic private sector investment in clean energy transition and the clean energy manufacturing supply chain, and growing firms need communities that are prepared and eager to partner. We are open for business.