Gov. asks for $200M to attract scientific research

FARMINGTON, Conn. (WTNH) -- The Governor is asking state lawmakers to approve another $200 million to attract more bio-science research to Connecticut.

At the ceremonial ground breaking for the $291 million Jackson Labs project Thursday, the Governor announced that despite the state's budget problems he's asking the legislature to approve another $200 million in borrowing to attract more scientific research.

"It's for the purpose of making investments in bio-science and bringing what bio-science does best to Connecticut and that's create jobs," said Governor Malloy.

The Jackson Labs building is expected to be completed and open by the fall of 2014 and be in the forefront of Genomic Medicine.

The real shovels are already working on the Jackson Labs building, as well as expanding the hospital and research facilities at the UConn Health Center Complex, a nearly billion dollar state taxpayer investment.

The company already has 29 highly skilled researchers working in temporary quarters on the health center campus. Eventually 300 researchers will work in the new building.

23-year-old Paul Smith, who grew up in East Haven and is now working in research with a company outside Boston, says it's money well spent.

"This is an incredible investment that Connecticut is making in the youths' future and just for the economy as a whole," said Smith.

While in school, Smith worked for two years at the Jackson Labs research facility in Maine.

"My experience with Jackson directly prepared me to work as a professional in the bio-medical sciences literally weeks out of college, I had a job and I was working in drug discovery," Smith said.

Smith made it a point to say hello to Jackson Labs' world famous CEO Dr. Edison Liu, perhaps planting a seed about someday working in Farmington.

"That's definitely what my parents are pushing for," Smith said, "there's a lot of bio-medicine happening all over the world, but it would be nice to come back home," Smith said.