(Left to Right) Jim Bolte, Chair-elect of the Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County Board of Directors; Madison Mayor Paul Finley; Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle; Gov. Robert Bentley; HudsonAlpha Co-founder Jim Hudson; HudsonAlpha Co-founder Lonnie McMillan; HudsonAlpha President Dr. Rick Meyers.

“The addition of a new facility on the Cummings Research Park Biotech Campus creates opportunities to significantly enrich the state’s knowledge worker economy,” said Bentley.

According to Jim Hudson, co-founder of the institute, the new 88,000 square-foot facility will house both non-profit researchers and for-profit businesses, because the first facility is full.

“We have some tenants who would like to have additional space. With the third building coming online, there is another option for them, as well as space to accommodate new organizations to the campus through the state’s economic development office,” said Hudson.

“Building three, adjacent to the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, fits well with Alabama’s long term economic development plan to attract, build and retain a vibrant life sciences industry that will enhance quality of life for citizens both inside and outside of Alabama,” said Bentley. “I am excited to be in Huntsville today to break ground on another building in this impressive complex.” The state has committed $10 million to fund the campus expansion.

According to Dr. Rick Myers, president of HudsonAlpha, the institute's high throughput genomics and genetics infrastructure is a draw for a variety of research and development companies addressing testing, disease diagnostics and therapeutics, as well as organizations focusing on other biomedical devices and services. “These exciting new technologies are also attractive to organizations with goals to create sustainable fuels, conduct environmental remediation and enhance agricultural yields,” he added.

Jim Bolte, Chair-elect of the Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison Board of Directors, lauded the growth of the institute.

“Today is an exciting day. I was here in April of 2008 when the Institute celebrated its grand opening. It has certainly grown since then. Now we’re ready to add another building to the Cummings Research Park Biotechnology campus,”said Bolte.

Site preparation work began in March. HudsonAlpha officials anticipate building completion by year’s end, providing an additional 88,000 square ft. of lab and office space on the campus. The facility will be LEED-certified. “Embracing metrics to ensure green building design, construction and maintenance is a matter of both conscience and practicality as we go forward,” said Hudson.

The non-profit HudsonAlpha Institute was first announced in 2005. The second building on the campus, the Jackson Center, opened in August of 2009.