Massachusetts Clean Energy Center Awards $65,000 Grant to New Bedford Research & Robotics for Ocean Technology Advancement

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center has awarded New Bedford Research & Robotics a $65,000 grant as part of the state's new Ocean Innovation Network, a comprehensive program providing more than $11 million in funding to strengthen Massachusetts' position as a global leader in ocean technology. The announcement was made during the Southeast stop of MassCEC's Climatetech Corridor Roadshow, which followed morning sessions at UMass Dartmouth, highlighting the strategic importance of regional collaboration in advancing clean energy initiatives.

Dr. Emily Reichert, CEO of MassCEC, was joined by New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell to emphasize the South Coast's expanding role in the Commonwealth's clean energy and climate technology ecosystem. Reichert noted that New Bedford holds a special place in MassCEC's leadership perspective due to the city's longstanding contributions to the blue economy and offshore wind innovation. This recognition underscores the strategic importance of targeted investments in regions with established maritime expertise and infrastructure.

The grant funding will enable New Bedford Research & Robotics to acquire a Computer Numerical Control machine, a high-precision manufacturing tool that will significantly enhance prototyping capabilities for startups developing underwater robots and other ocean technology innovations. According to Mark Parsons, Executive Director of New Bedford Research & Robotics, this investment will expand hands-on support for oceantech startups while simultaneously helping to train the next generation of the blue economy workforce. Access to CNC technology not only strengthens product development processes but also provides valuable workforce training opportunities in high-demand manufacturing skills that are essential for Massachusetts' competitive position in the global marine technology sector.

The addition of this advanced equipment at NBRR's facility will streamline development processes, reduce production costs, and accelerate innovation cycles for early-stage companies working within the NBRR ecosystem. Following the announcement, Parsons led a tour of NBRR's developing facility, showcasing the center's growing capabilities and its strategic role in supporting Massachusetts' ocean innovation community. This milestone reinforces New Bedford's emergence as a critical hub for ocean innovation, clean energy development, and the future of offshore wind technology, strengthening the city's position at the heart of America's blue economy transformation.

In a complementary investment, the New Bedford Ocean Cluster received $2.13 million to expand facilities, support its Maritime Business Incubator, and install additional prototyping equipment at NBRR, further cementing New Bedford's leadership in marine innovation. These coordinated investments through the Ocean Innovation Network represent a strategic approach to building comprehensive ecosystem support for ocean technology development, from early-stage prototyping through commercial scaling. New Bedford Research & Robotics serves as a central hub for researchers, entrepreneurs, and companies focused on ocean-related technologies, including robotics, offshore wind, and clean energy solutions, providing technical resources, collaborative space, and workforce development programs that collectively shape the future of Massachusetts' sustainable blue economy.