DEVENS DELIVERS
ANNUAL REPORT 2023
 MassDevelopment Board of Directors
(as of June 30, 2023)
Maura Healey Kim Driscoll
Governor Lieutenant Governor
Yvonne Hao, Chair
Secretary, Executive Office of Economic Development
Brian Kavoogian, Vice Chair
Managing Partner, National Development
Jessica Andors
Executive Director, Lawrence CommunityWorks
Gary Campbell
Chief Executive Officer, Gilbert Campbell Real Estate
Kaitlyn Connors
Assistant Secretary for Capital, Executive Office for Administration and Finance
Joan C. Corey
Business Agent, Teamsters Local Union No.25
Juan Carlos Morales
Founder and Managing Director, Surfside Capital Advisors
Andrew Salmon
Chief Future Officer, Salmon Health and Retirement
Kristina Spillane
Managing Director, Strategic Accounts, Fidelity National Information Services
Julieann Thurlow
President and Chief Executive Officer, Reading Cooperative Bank
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 Devens Reserve Forces Training Area (RFTA) change of command ceremony, June 2023
This past year, Devens delivered in great ways.
Devens company Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) welcomed U.S. Energy Our team in Devens understands what delivering excellence means. Devens
Secretary Jennifer Granholm, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren, U.S. Senator Ed Department of Public Works & Recreation staff members are responsive
Markey, U.S. Congresswoman Lori Trahan, Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll, Secretary and reliable and can be seen working outdoors in the community daily. The
of Economic Development and MassDevelopment Board Chair Yvonne Hao, Engineering team has professional expertise in a multitude of elements, and
elected officials, company executives, and others to their facility where they they quietly go about their work to ensure project goals align with vision. The
will build "a compact fusion device that will prove fusion can work as a Utilities unit is exemplary in providing accurate, relevant answers to residents
commercial energy source for the first time in history." and business that can range from a simple billing question to vital information
needed for company growth initiatives and expansion. Empathy also has a
CFS is in good company with innovative businesses like Accumet Engineering, role in customer service, and we are proud of our Devens Fire Department on
Bristol-Myers Squibb, Electric Hydrogen, SMC Ltd., VulcanForms, and Watson- receiving a Governor’s Citation for the extraordinary measures they took to
Marlow, and many others who have chosen to locate their growing operations celebrate the 2022 holidays with clients of the Commonwealth’s Emergency
in Devens. These are companies that are poised to deliver cell therapies, new Assistance Intake Center.
technology, precision tools, and energy for the benefit of Massachusetts and
the world. MassDevelopment’s home office may be in Boston, with regional offices across
the state, but we all enjoy working in Devens whenever schedules allow. The
Devens quickly adapted when asked to host an emergency assistance intake opportunity to hold our annual all-staff gathering on historic Rogers Field is an
center. This key entry point for aid to homeless families was an effort that honor and a privilege. And this year, despite our many summer rainstorms, the
required planning, flexibility, and execution by many. Community members can sun delivered.
be proud of the level of service delivered.
Dan Rivera
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President & CEO
 New Public Safety Facility
Regional Plans are underway for MassDevelopment to convert a partially vacant agency-owned
building at 270 Barnum Road into a state-of-the-art public safety facility that will house the
Resources Devens Fire Department, the Massachusetts State Police, who provide police services in
Devens under a contract with the agency, and the Nashoba Valley Regional Dispatch District.
Once complete, the new 30,745-square-foot full-service building will feature a new apparatus
bay to house fire and ambulance vehicles; modern living spaces for firefighters; clean,
efficient administrative and working spaces; conference space for safety training and local
emergency management operations; and an exterior tower to provide more opportunity
for regular training exercises. The new building will also feature solar panels and electric
charging stations to help reduce the environmental footprint. The project is estimated to cost
$20.8 million; MassDevelopment was awarded a $4.6 million federal Defense Community
Infrastructure Pilot (DCIP) Program grant for the project, and the agency will fund the
remaining costs. The facility is expected to be fully operational by summer 2025.
New public safety building groundbreaking,
October 2023
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Emergency Assistance Intake Center
In December 2022, Devens answered the call to stand up an
emergency assistance intake center for new arrivals to the state
and individuals experiencing homelessness. Coordinated with
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Massachusetts Emergency
Management Agency, and others, a safe and well-run facility was
located within the Bob Eisengrein Community Center that allowed
for timely case management services and intake assessments for
adults and children. The temporary site remained open until March
13, 2023, with clients being moved to a new emergency intake
facility in Concord.
Congresswoman Lori Trahan visits the emergency assistance intake center,
January 2023
Clear Path for Veterans NE/Soldier On
Veterans’ services are a priority for Devens and after a request for proposal (RFP)
process, Clear Path for Veterans NE/Soldier On was chosen as the new service
provider of Veterans housing and services at the units located at Auman and
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Bates Streets in Devens. Substantive physical improvements are being made by
MassDevelopment to upgrade the units in preparation for full occupancy in 2024.
“We are honored to call the Devens campus our home, as we passionately deliver essential support
services to our beloved Veterans, not only across the North Central Massachusetts region, but to those
who have served our nation far and wide. Our strong partnerships with Devens exemplify the profound
synergy between our mission and the vibrant community infrastructure. In preserving the rich military
heritage of Devens, we take pride in our commitment to those who selflessly served our country.”
— Donna Bulger, Clear Path for Veterans New England
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Opportunities Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS)
for Business
Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) held a ribbon cutting in February 2023 at its new world
headquarters and campus in Devens where they are already employing 500-plus people.
CFS is striving to become the first private company with a fusion reactor that achieves “net
Growth
energy,” which is the total amount of useful energy available from an energy resource minus
the energy needed to make it available to consumers. The event was attended by state and
federal officials who welcomed the company to Devens and Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll lauded
the potential for Massachusetts to become a “hub for fusion energy and drive real progress
on our climate goals.” The 714,000-square-foot Devens facility will house SPARC, a tokamak
device that uses high-temperature superconducting magnets to achieve a fusion reaction.
This innovative technology, which is expected to be operational in 2025, is already making
waves in the industry and beyond. Devens provided the ideal combination of land, location,
supporting infrastructure, and permitting timeline for the company’s future.
State and federal officials attended a ribbon cutting for
Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS), February 2023
CFS' commercial fusion energy campus in Devens
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 VulcanForms
In June 2023, VulcanForms was referred to as “the most
interesting startup in America” by The Boston Globe. The
company is at the leading edge of a push to transform 3-D
printing into an industrial force and it’s all happening at
112 Barnum Road in Devens. Some of the world’s leading
companies rely on VulcanForms to build advanced products,
Electric Hydrogen’s new facility at 33 Jackson Road
medical implants, supercomputers, jet engines, and more.
Electric Hydrogen (EH2) Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology
In May 2023, Natick-based Electric Hydrogen (EH2) announced plans to build a
Solutions
187,000-square-foot facility at 33 Jackson Road on the new King Street Properties Pathway
Devens campus. EH2’s new building will include lab, office, and storage space to support Construction was completed on Watson-Marlow Fluid
their primary R&D and manufacturing for the development of advanced electrolyzers to Technology Solutions’ new, state-of-the-art 150,000-square-
produce more green hydrogen – a clean energy source for decarbonizing industry. The foot facility on Bulge Road – overlooking Red Tail Golf
company’s new location, next door to nuclear fusion startup Commonwealth Fusion Club’s 18th hole. With segregated cleanroom and non-
Systems and battery recycling company Ascend Elements, makes for an energy innovation cleanroom production capabilities, Watson-Marlow’s new
cluster that is gaining worldwide attention. At the factory’s full capacity, Electric Hydrogen facility strengthens the support the company provides
aims to produce twice as many electrolyzers each year as the total amount installed to customers in the region across its core sectors of
globally in 2022. EH2 cited the local and regional labor pool as a key benefit since the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical diagnostics, and
company will employ assemblers, technicians, and engineers. process industries.
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“CFS selected its site in Devens after a nationwide search for our new commercial fusion energy campus.
Ultimately, we selected Devens because of the local ecosystem, business friendly environment, and
proximity to our talent base. We knew we needed to streamline the development of our project and the
team at MassDevelopment has been a supportive partner throughout this process.”
— Bob Mumgaard, CEO, Commonwealth Fusion Systems
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 Infrastructure West Main Street, Ayer Corridor/Verbeck Gate
Excellence
Work on the $3.16 million Public Infrastructure/Economic Development MassWorks grant
project for the West Main Street, Ayer Corridor/Verbeck Gate was completed in spring 2023.
The project included new water and wastewater lines, stormwater management, roadway
surfacing, ADA-compliant sidewalks, bicycle lanes, a Devens Shuttle Bus station, sidewalk
shade trees, and on-street parking. The project also included historic improvements to the
Verbeck Gatehouse and walls, making the intersection of Jackson Road and West Main
Street safer for pedestrians and cyclists. A new multi-purpose trail now connects to Ayer,
Devens, and Shirley (and a small section of Harvard) sidewalks along West Main Steet. This
new infrastructure is helping to transform the West Main Street Corridor and provide better
regional connections between the surrounding communities.
Historic Verbeck Gate entrance named after
General William J. Verbeck, who was Post
Commander from 1959-1963
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New Water Treatment Plants
Construction on two new water treatment
plants continued in Fiscal Year 2023. These
treatment plants are a large capital investment by
MassDevelopment to replace existing facilities and
treat any iron, manganese, and PFAS concentrations
in Devens’ drinking water. As the project nears
completion (Patton Water Treatment Plan was given
approval to be commissioned in October 2023), the
goal remains to improve the community’s quality of
life, spurring social and economic growth.
New Patton Water Treatment Plant completed, October 2023
Fort Devens Reserve Forces Training Area (RFTA)
New leadership arrived in June 2023 when Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Trent Colestock relinquished
responsibility of Fort Devens Reserve Forces Training Area (RFTA) to commander LTC Joshua M. Bloom, during
a combined change of command and change of responsibility ceremony. LTC Bloom is a native of Fort Liberty,
North Carolina. He was commissioned as a Military Intelligence Officer upon graduation from the United
States Military Academy at West Point in 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering with a
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specialization in Aeronautical Systems. As a Military Intelligence Officer, LTC Bloom served in a variety of
tactical assignments in air assault, special operations, and intelligence units. Welcome to Devens!
“As one of our longest partnerships, our relationship with MassDevelopment has enhanced Devens
RFTA’s ability to deliver essential support to the military community across New England. For more than
25 years, MassDevelopment has provided tailored infrastructure and services that have consistently met
our needs. I look forward to future collaboration with both MassDevelopment and our local community.”
— LTC Joshua M. Bloom, Garrison Commander, Devens RFTA
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 Community The Ayer/Devens Pilot Pocket Forest Project
The Ayer/Devens Pilot Pocket Forest Project aims to engage residents to help plan and design
pocket forests throughout the two communities. The first pocket forest was installed on
East Main Street in Ayer in April where more than 100 people attended to help plant, learn
more about the project, and show support for climate resiliency. As a green infrastructure
tool, the pocket forests will be located and designed to increase carbon sequestration,
enhance biodiversity and ecosystem connectivity, improve soil health, filter stormwater
runoff, mitigate air pollution, cool concentrated areas of impervious surfaces, and provide
opportunities for residents to better connect with nature.
Planting day at the pilot site on East Main Street in Ayer.
Photo credit: Gillian Davies, BSC Group
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Making it Public for MA Devens Recreation
Municipalities Each year from April through November, Devens Recreation organizes a robust calendar
Devens is one of 11 Massachusetts communities of events designed to engage the community and make people feel at home outdoors.
participating in the 2023 Cohort for Making it Public From festivals and farmers markets to lacrosse, soccer, and softball tournaments, there
for MA Municipalities, hosted in collaboration with is a lot to be enjoyed in Devens.