Groundbreaking ceremony held for Versiti Blood Research Institute expansion in Wauwatosa

WAUWATOSA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Local leaders gathered at the Versiti Blood Research Institute in Wauwatosa Tuesday, for a ceremonial groundbreaking. 

A new, 79,000-square foot expansion will nearly double Versiti's research capacity and is estimated to add 100 new jobs. 

The $79 million undertaking includes a $10 million contribution from the state building commission. 

"I couldn't be more excited about being supportive of this effort and knowing that it will make a difference for people who will never meet us, who will never know where it came from," said State Rep. Robin Vos (R-Rochester). "But they will know and benefit from the hard work that the researchers here will do and the folks who've been able to donate to help make it happen."

The expansion is expected to be completed in 2026, and it's predicted that it will contribute over a half-billion dollars to Wisconsin's total economic impact by 2050.