University of Wyoming and state officials broke ground on Friday for a new facility aimed at enabling high-end research and education.

Detailed in a release from UW on Friday, The Science Initiative facility will house a 200-seat active-learning classroom and state-of-the-art lab space for imaging, biological, and greenhouse research.

The idea is to bring different science disciplines together into one facility to collaborate with shared instruments and tech support.

The release says the Science Initiative will combine with the Tier-1 Engineering Initiative to hopefully "propel UW into national prominence as a center for economically driven, research-based education in science, engineering, technology and mathematics."

The Science Initiative facility is a product of years of effort by UW faculty members, university leaders, and state officials to lift UW scientific research and education.

The $100 million project used $85 million from state appropriations and $15 million from UW reserves. It is scheduled for completion in early 2021.

The Science Initiative will have direct economic impact through efficient translation of ideas to the marketplace via life and data sciences research that impacts areas including mineral extraction, agriculture, tourism, resource management and high technology.

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