Gov. Maura Healey unveils 'Mass Leads' economic bill in Somerville to back life sciences, climate tech and applied AI

Governor Maura Healey announced the Mass Leads Act on Leap Day at Form Energy’s Somerville headquarters, pitching a multiyear economic development package aimed at strengthening life sciences, climate technology, applied artificial intelligence and workforce training across Massachusetts.

Healey said the proposal combines capital authorizations, targeted operating investments and tax incentives to help companies scale and to expand careers in every region of the state. "We just need to give it the love and the support to see it flourish," Healey said, calling the plan a chance for Massachusetts to "lead in this growing industry." She described the legislation as rooted in an "equity lens" and asserted it would create "good jobs and grow our economy."

The administration offered several fiscal and programmatic details during the announcement and follow-up questions. Healey said the package "may be upwards of $3.5 billion" and would be structured over a 10‑year horizon; she characterized the spending as capital authorizations rather than an operating budget. Secretary…