Meg Delorier stepped in as the head of Devens for state-backed lender and developer MassDevelopment in September 2022 applying years of military base management and economic development to act as the interim point-of-contact for the 4,400-acre mixed-use development community spanning Ayer, Harvard, and Shirley.
The former Fort Devens is a national model for military base reuse. Delorier has carried the torch for its continued development of the site, which generated $16.4 million in operating revenue in fiscal 2023, according to an annual report. It is home to nearly 100 businesses supporting 10,000 jobs, and latest data from the UMass Donahue Institute estimated Devens’ economic impact to be $4 billion.
For Delorier, a highlight came in February 2023 when U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and other federal officials visited to mark the introduction of fusion energy as a new commercial energy source by Devens-based Commonwealth Fusion Systems. Then in October, Delorier oversaw the groundbreaking of a state-of-the-art public safety building to support the community. That same year, Devens was honored for quick assistance as an emergency assistance intake center for homeless families.
The bigger story continues to be the commercial footprint of Devens-based companies. Home to world-class technology, advanced manufacturing, and life sciences companies like Bristol Myers Squibb, CSX Corp., and Ascend Elements (which is relocating from Westborough), Devens offers ample available build-to-suit land, construction financing, and permitting help for potential companies.
Delorier, the former executive director of the Nashoba Valley Chamber of Commerce and station manager for the Red Cross at military bases in Devens and Arizona, said her secret to keeping the economic development momentum going in Devens is working with a great, smart team.
