INL To Build New Facility

The Idaho National Laboratory is growing.

The lab will begin construction on a new 148,000 square-foot research and education facility in Idaho Falls.

The $50 million facility will supply 300 construction jobs to the local economy.

The three-floor, state-of-the-art facility will be used to conduct experiments and performing energy security research.

The new center will feature an auditorium and visitor area, providing a location where the public and laboratory employees can work together.

INL communications director Amy Lientz said it will help consolidate labs now scattered throughout Idaho Falls.

“Energy is an important component of our economy and still being able to be energy independent in the U.S. is still important,? Lientz said. ?We pay a big role in that. Because these labs focus on the energy research and energy security it will still be a need, so we are still good in that area.”

Construction will begin next spring and is scheduled to be completed by summer 2013.