Lab groundbreaking at UConn Health Center

FARMINGTON, Conn. (AP) — A groundbreaking ceremony is planned for The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine at the University of Connecticut Health Center.

Thursday's ceremony in Farmington comes nearly a year after the state of Connecticut signed an agreement with the Bar Harbor, Maine-based laboratory to construct the $1.1 billion research facility.

Under the deal, the state is providing $192 million in loans that will be forgiven once Jackson creates and retains 300 jobs by the 10th year. Jackson is also receiving up to $99 million in research grants over 10 years.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, UConn President Susan Herbst, UConn School of Medicine Dean Frank Torti and The Jackson Laboratory President and CEO Edison Liu (loo) will be on hand for the ceremony, which is part of a full day of events.