Governor Maura Healey announced a new statewide defense-innovation effort, the Massachusetts Strategic Hub for Innovation, Exchange, and Leadership in Defense (SHIELD), during a ceremony at the Massachusetts State House commemorating the National Guard's 380th birthday.

The governor said the administration is "initially investing $47,000,000 statewide to create jobs, to grow companies that support our men and women in uniform," and described SHIELD as a partnership with Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll to strengthen the state’s defense leadership and accelerate development of new technologies.

Healy framed the initiative as part of a broader effort to leverage the state’s existing defense ecosystem. In her remarks she cited Massachusetts’ role in national security, saying the state hosts six military installations, the Northeast District of the U.S. Coast Guard and 37 Guard armories, and that the commonwealth’s Guard and defense-related businesses employ thousands of service members and civilians.

The governor said military and veteran leadership would be "critical components" of SHIELD and emphasized the initiative’s aim to create jobs and expand technology development that supports both military readiness and local economic growth.

Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll joined Healy on stage and echoed the remarks, describing the Guard’s connection to communities and military families and stressing the importance of keeping the state’s historic and present-day defense roles strong.

The governor did not specify the breakdown of the $47 million—such as grant awards, procurement, or administrative funding—nor a timeline for specific program rollouts; those details were not provided at the ceremony.