WESTBOROUGH, Mass. — Gov. Maura Healey was in Central Massachusetts Tuesday highlighting the ways an economic development bill will grow the state’s economy, support businesses and attract talent.

The governor toured Ascend Elements in Westborough.

It's a clean energy company focused on creating the future of sustainable, electric vehicle battery manufacturing and recycling.

The governor's Mass Leads Act proposes a new 10-year, $1 billion strategy to make the state the climate innovation hub for the world.

"We know this is a company that is going to be global,” said Healey. “And we know this space, what's happening with batteries and even more so what's going to be happening with batteries, this is the future, and you guys are the now. But you're going to build that out and we want that building, that expansion to take place in Massachusetts, with Massachusetts talent. We also know to do that there's got to be true partnership. And that's what the Mass Leads Act does. So I just want to thank [Mike O'Kronley, CEO of Ascend] and the team for showing us this amazing technology that's going to help us decarbonize the planet, it's going to be transformational and address the existential crisis of our time, which is climate change."

Ascend is headquartered in Westborough and recently worked with the Healey-Driscoll Administration to secure a site for a new, larger facility in Devens.

The Mass Leads Act also could create jobs, supports technology development and infrastructure to reduce emissions and promote resilience locally.