A new Maine Life Sciences Center is being created by the Maine Technology Institute after an announcement on Thursday by Governor Janet Mills.

The governor also announced a $2.7 million grant for a laboratory and other resources to help expand the growing life science industry in the state.

The sector currently supplies 10,000 jobs and $2.3 billion in economic activity in the state.

The Center is intended to bring together research, businesses, and workforce programs to boost the emerging industry connected to biomedical research.

Governor Mills signed an executive order last week to establish the Life Science Center.

A Life Sciences Incubator will be built in Portland by the end of 2026, will the purpose of supporting startup businesses and provide space for research testing.