BOSTON — Gov. Maura Healey announced a new state effort to strengthen Massachusetts’ defense industry during the Commonwealth’s Veterans Day ceremony at the State House on Nov. 11.

"We're investing $47,000,000 in this sector this year to create jobs and to grow companies that support our men and women in uniform," Healey said, calling the program the Shield initiative and framing it as a way to accelerate military preparedness, technology and veteran employment in the state.

The governor described Massachusetts as a national security hub that hosts six military installations and a concentration of defense-related technology and jobs. She said veteran employment and leadership would be "critical to this shield endeavor" and urged residents to take pride in the state’s role in national defense.

The announcement was made as part of ceremonial remarks honoring veterans; Healey said the investment would "create jobs and grow companies that support our men and women in uniform," but she did not specify the plan’s funding source, the exact programs that will receive the money, or an implementation timeline during the ceremony.

Why it matters: Massachusetts’ combination of universities, life-science and technology industries and military installations make the state a strategic location for defense contracting and workforce development. A $47 million state investment could shift procurements, hiring and partnerships if routed through grants, contracts or workforce programs.

What remains unclear: In her remarks Healey called the initiative "the Shield initiative" and tied it to broader MA250 commemorations and recent convenings with industry leaders, but provided no fiscal detail at the ceremony about whether the $47 million is new appropriations, reallocated funds, or a combination of public and private commitments. The governor also did not describe which state or municipal entities will administer the funds or a timeline for awards or program rollouts.

Other context from the ceremony: Healey linked the initiative to a broader effort to support veterans, noting veteran employment would be an important part of the program. She also highlighted recent work in veteran health-care facilities and credited Secretary John Santiago and others for recent reforms in veterans services.

Next steps: Healey said the administration previously met with industry and military leaders to launch the initiative; however, the ceremony did not include a cabinet-level rollout or a detailed plan. Journalists and stakeholders will likely seek a follow-up from the Governor’s Office or the Executive Office of Housing/Commerce for implementation details and the source of the $47 million.

Quote: "We're investing $47,000,000 in this sector this year to create jobs and to grow companies that support our men and women in uniform," Healey said during her State House remarks.

The Healey administration did not provide additional documentation on program design or spending breakdown at the ceremony.