As we look back on 2025, Devens continues to show what’s possible when smart planning, shared values, and strong partnerships come together. Last year brought new investment, new homes, new green spaces, and new momentum behind our climate and resilience goals.
From major construction milestones and economic growth to community engagement and nature-based solutions, 2025 was a year of steady progress—and bold steps toward the future.
Here’s a look back at what we accomplished together.
Celebrating 30 Years of Redevelopment Leadership
2025 marked a major milestone: 30 years of the Devens Enterprise Commission (DEC) guiding the redevelopment of Devens into one of the nation’s leading eco-industrial communities.
More than 100 residents, businesses, and regional partners gathered to celebrate three decades of transformation—from former military base to a thriving center for clean tech, advanced manufacturing, and sustainable design. As a tribute to Devens’ history, the iconic “FORT DEVENS” shrubs along Jackson Road were restored, connecting past and present while looking toward the future.
Devens’ Growing Economic Impact
Devens’ growth isn’t just visible on the ground—it’s measurable across the region.
In 2025, MassDevelopment released a comprehensive Economic Profile and Analysis highlighting Devens’ expanding contribution to the local and statewide economy, including job creation, private investment, and business growth. The report reinforces what many already see: Devens has become a powerful economic engine for North Central Massachusetts.
Read the study:
https://www.devenscommunity.com/assets/Devens_Economic_Profile_and_Analysis_Report_FINAL_2025.pdf
Major Construction and Innovation Milestones
Construction activity remained strong throughout the year, with projects that reflect Devens’ focus on both innovation and sustainability.
Highlights included:
- Pathway Devens Campus (King Street Properties) completing its fifth energy-efficient biotech and clean tech building
- Commonwealth Fusion Systems continuing construction of its SPARC fusion energy research facility, with additional phases approved
- Devens Public Safety Building nearing completion with rooftop solar, solar canopies, and pursuit of LEED certification
- Expansions and adaptive reuse projects from companies like Bristol Myers Squibb, SMC Ltd., YMC America, and Werfen
Together, these projects represent hundreds of thousands of square feet of high-performance buildings and continued private investment in Devens’ future.
Tackling the Affordable Housing Challenge
Like many Massachusetts communities, Devens is feeling the effects of the statewide affordable housing crisis. In 2025, meaningful progress was made to address this need.
New Homes, New Approaches
The DEC approved an all-electric modular housing development on Adams Circle, creating 12 highly energy-efficient homes using low-impact design strategies.
Zoning for Opportunity
Work also advanced in the Innovation & Technology Center (ITC) District, where zoning changes are being pursued to allow residential development alongside employment uses—opening the door for mixed-use neighborhoods and expanded housing options near jobs and services.
Regional Collaboration
The Devens Housing Working Group continued meeting with state and local partners to evaluate housing needs, infrastructure capacity, and implementation strategies. Recommendations include regional school planning, traffic analysis, existing building assessments, and continued community engagement.
MassDevelopment also hosted site walks and issued housing RFPs and RFQs in the ITC District to help bring forward new residential projects and partners.
Together, these efforts represent a coordinated push to expand housing choices while maintaining Devens’ sustainability goals.
Climate Action in Practice
Pocket Forests Take Root
Nature-based solutions continued to make a visible impact this year. With support from the state’s Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) program, two pocket forests were added in 2025, adding up to a total of five pocket forests installed across Ayer and Devens since 2023.
These small but mighty plantings:
- Cool surrounding neighborhoods
- Capture stormwater
- Filter air pollution
- Sequester carbon
- Provide wildlife habitat
- Support mental health and connection to nature
Hundreds of volunteers and students helped bring these spaces to life, turning resilience planning into hands-on action.
Make sure to check out the interactive Nature-based Solutions virtual tour to explore the pocket forests and other local projects. Additionally, stay on the lookout for a new tour video coming soon!
Supporting Business Sustainability with the Embodied Carbon Checklist
In 2025, Devens helped businesses tackle the carbon costs of development with the DEC’s Embodied Carbon Guidelines and Checklist. These include a set of tools and guidance to assist applicants with reducing the carbon footprint of their development projects. The Guidelines provide developers with resources that allow them to evaluate their building material choices – helping build more with less and contributing to the sustainable redevelopment mission of the Devens Reuse Plan. Download the Guidelines here.
To pair with the Guidelines, developers can take advantage of a Project Checklist for Reducing Embodied Carbon in Devens – a practical worksheet to help your projects tackle embodied carbon. Download the Checklist here.
Reframe Systems, a local Massachusetts technology company that is catalyzing the production of climate-friendly housing, took advantage of the Checklist during the planning phase of the Adams Circle project. About the Checklist and their partnership with the DEC, the company said:
MVP 2.0: Planning What’s Next
Devens was also awarded a Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) 2.0 grant from the state, launching the next phase of resilience planning. The effort will focus on identifying climate risks, centering equity, and developing projects that strengthen both infrastructure and social resilience.
Health, Mobility, and Everyday Sustainability
Community well-being remained a priority throughout the year:
The Devens Farmers Market continued connecting residents with fresh, local food
Partnerships with regional health organizations supported a new Community Health Needs Assessment
Expanded multi-use trails and transit options improved mobility for residents and workers
On-demand MART shuttle services increased access across the region
These everyday investments help make Devens not just a place to work—but a place to live well.
Community Engagement by the Numbers
Behind every project are the people who make it possible. In 2025, DEC staff and partners stayed active across the region:
- 1,650 people engaged
- 330 students reached
- 13 Devens tours hosted
- 19 presentations delivered
From volunteer plantings to sustainability tours and business roundtables, Devens continues to share its story—and learn from others along the way.
Supporting a Circular Economy
The Devens Eco-Efficiency Center continued helping businesses reduce waste and save money through programs like The Great Exchange. Nearly 17 tons of materials were diverted from disposal this year, supporting nonprofits and small businesses while strengthening the region’s circular economy.
Did you know: 17 tons of waste is roughly an entire year of trash for about 20 people. Imagine if your entire family didn’t produce a single bag of trash for a whole year!
Looking Ahead
As we continue through 2026, the focus remains clear: balanced growth that pairs economic vitality with climate leadership, equity, and community resilience.
With new housing initiatives, continued business investment, expanded climate planning, and strong partnerships across the region, Devens is well positioned for another year of meaningful progress.
Thank you to the residents, businesses, volunteers, and partners who helped move Devens forward in 2025. We’re excited for what’s next.
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