Navy lab may boost local businesses

HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) - Local business leaders and academic professionals had a chance to hear about new business opportunities Thursday morning.

The Captain of the Naval Research Lab (NRL) was brought in by the Economic Development Council of Western Massachusetts to talk about the technology needs of the defense department and military.

Understanding the needs of the NRL could help local businesses generate new products and new jobs.

“We have companies who have developed vests that help autistic children deal with their conditions and some of those applications may be suitable for military, just to choose one example,” said Allan Blair, President and CEO of the Economic Development Council of Western Massachusetts. “There are a number of technologies in the early stages that are being worked on here that may have applications for the NRL and for the defense department.”

The meeting at Holyoke Community College gave local entrepeneurs the chance to connect with the government about the potential for generating business here in Western Massachusetts.