Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards Nearly $2 Million to Drive Innovation in Wastewater
On Wednesday, September 11, 2024, the Mass Tech Collaborative published the following press release:
Today, the Healey-Driscoll administration announced a $1,975,000 grant through Mass Tech Collaborative’s (MassTech’s) Innovation Institute to expand and enhance the Clean Water Center at the Massachusetts Alternative Septic System Test Center (MASSTC) in Sandwich, which is part of the Regional Government of Barnstable County. The state’s award will support a nearly $3.3 million project that will expand MASSTC into an innovation hub for wastewater treatment, a growing need on Cape Cod and across the country.
With this grant, MASSTC will enhance its research facilities and leverage connections with academic institutions and the private sector to overcome wastewater treatment challenges, which include a lack of nutrients, pathogens, and contamination from pharmaceuticals, micro-plastics, and “forever chemicals” such as Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, also known as PFAS. The state grant will be matched by $1,315,696 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) award to Barnstable County.
“Our administration is committed to lengthening Massachusetts’ environmental and innovation leadership,” said Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao. “This investment will help drive innovation in wastewater treatment on the Cape and create exciting training and workforce development opportunities for our residents.”
“The new Clean Water Center will allow MASSTC to expand its business model, bring in new clients, and pilot projects that will advance wastewater treatment globally,” said Innovation Institute Director Pat Larkin. “By leveraging their unique resources and leadership, MASSTC will be able to address the industry’s current challenges, while also meeting future emerging issues. Having this facility located in prime location such as Cape Cod will create a unique ‘living laboratory’ where innovators can come together to quickly and efficiently develop their next-gen solutions to global wastewater challenges.”
“This investment by the Healey-Driscoll administration, complimenting $1.3 million in ARPA funds obtained by Barnstable County is a strong acknowledgment of the vital need to foster innovation in wastewater treatment,” said Barnstable County Commissioner Ronald Bergstrom. “By expanding and enhancing the Clean Water Center at MASSTC, we’re not just improving our local environment, we’re creating a hub that will attract businesses, talent, and capital to our region. This initiative positions Cape Cod and the Commonwealth as leaders in solving some of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time, while also driving economic growth and job creation for our community.”
About the Innovation Institute at the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech)
The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech) is a quasi-public economic development agency that strengthens the competitiveness of the tech and innovation economy by driving strategic investments, partnerships, and insights that harness the talent of Massachusetts.
The Innovation Institute is the division of MassTech that advances a core mission of innovation and cluster growth across the Commonwealth. Created in 2003, the Innovation Institute intervenes in the economy in four ways:
- Conducts research and analysis that improves the state’s understandings of unmet needs and opportunities in the innovation economy
- Serves as convener and key strategic broker within various sectors
- Manages high-value projects on behalf of the Commonwealth
- Makes strategic investments in support of innovation-based economic development
For more information, visit https://innovation.masstech.org/.
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Source: Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards Nearly $2 Million to Drive Innovation in Wastewater | MassTech
