Scientists and entrepreneurs rejoice! Construction is underway for Northern Virginia鈥檚 first 30,000 square-foot commercial wet lab space. The facility will soon to be home to companies looking to enter the region鈥檚 vibrant bioeconomy.
鈥�By bringing the to Innovation Park we are really setting up the next progressive stage for expansion and collaboration,鈥� said Christina Winn, Executive Director, Prince William County Department of Economic Development. 鈥淏usiness owners need access to new ideas, new people and new technology, and George Mason University (GMU) provides that access.鈥�
The center is anchored next to GMU鈥檚 Science and Technology campus, the , and a cluster of biotech companies, like and .聽 It is one of many investments the county has made to support the areas growing life science community.
鈥淔or more than twenty years Prince William County has strategically invested in the bioscience industry,鈥� Winn said. 鈥淲e expanded on that foundation ten years ago with the Science Accelerator, which fosters growth for life science startups.聽 We also work with life science clusters across the state creating the newly funded program, Viriginia Bio-Connect, a multifaceted collaboration to increase connectivity and awareness of existing programs, resources, infrastructure and communities that support the Commonwealth鈥檚 life science industry.鈥�
Through state and county funding, the center secured more than 1.2 million in grants and credits. , who is leading the design, build and management of the facility, invested $15 million.
鈥淲et labs are extremely expensive to build,鈥� said Austin Haynes, Sr. Vice President of Development, Holladay Properties. 鈥淭hat is one of the reasons why you don鈥檛 see many privately owned research facilities in the area.鈥�
The center will offer companies Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) laboratories, designed to handle research in pharmaceutical deliveries, immunotherapy, cancer-causing agents and more.聽 The Class A facility will feature 15 labs, all furnished with cutting-edge equipment and collaborative work space.
鈥�It is really designed to promote cooperation in research between the university, researchers, private industry as well as government facilities,鈥� said Haynes.
is offering financial incentives for companies looking to relocate to the area and Science Accelerators that are graduating into the facility.
“ offers grants to new and startup companies including research facilities,鈥� said Haynes.聽 鈥淭he state of Virginia offers as well as other incentives through their economic development department.鈥�
Open-door tours will be available in September and construction is scheduled to be completed by early 2022.
鈥淎s we grapple with recovery, the bioscience industry and our life science companies are an anchor to our economy,鈥� said Winn. 鈥淲e want those companies and the talent they attract to stay here.鈥�
Prince William County offers an affordable lifestyle and a business-friendly environment in close proximity to the nation鈥檚 capital, where waterfronts and forests give residents and businesses room to breathe.
