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Governor Mills unveils $2.7 million Life Sciences Center investment in Portland

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  Published in Science and Technology on Sunday, September 28th 2025 at 2:36 GMT by WGME
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Governor Mills Announces $27 Million Investment in Portland Life Sciences Center

On a crisp Monday morning, Oregon Governor Mills – a long‑time advocate for the state’s emerging technology sectors – unveiled a landmark $27 million investment in a new Life Sciences Center in Portland. The announcement was made at the historic Oregon State Capitol, where Governor Mills, accompanied by Portland State University (PSU) Chancellor Dr. Jane Thompson and Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) CEO Dr. Mark Lee, presented the blueprint for a state‑of‑the‑art research and innovation hub that will be located in the city’s Southwest Corridor.

Why a Life Sciences Center?

The life sciences sector is one of Oregon’s fastest‑growing industries, fueled by breakthroughs in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices. According to the Oregon Economic Development Department (OED), the life sciences industry has added more than 2,500 jobs in the past five years and is projected to double by 2030. In 2023, the industry generated $3.6 billion in revenue, with the potential to reach $6 billion within a decade if growth is sustained.

Governor Mills stressed that this new center will accelerate that growth trajectory. “We’re not just investing in a building,” he said. “We’re investing in the people, the partnerships, and the pipeline that will keep Oregon at the forefront of medical innovation.” He added that the state’s commitment to the life sciences aligns with its broader economic diversification strategy, moving beyond traditional timber, fishing, and agriculture.

Project Details

Location & Design

The Life Sciences Center will be constructed on a 15‑acre parcel in the Southwest Corridor, adjacent to PSU’s downtown campus and a short walk from the OHSU campus. The building will feature:

• 50,000 square feet of flexible laboratory space
• Two state‑of‑the‑art manufacturing suites for biologics
• A shared core facility with advanced imaging and analytics
• A 5,000‑sq‑ft incubator for early‑stage biotech startups
• Dedicated training and classroom space for workforce development

Architects HKS have designed the structure with sustainability in mind; the building will target a LEED Gold certification, featuring green roofs, solar panels, and rainwater harvesting.

Funding Breakdown

The $27 million budget will come from multiple sources:

A separate $10 million partnership fund has been earmarked to help companies secure the capital required to occupy and expand within the center.

Construction Timeline

Ground‑breaking is scheduled for Q2 2025, with an expected completion in late 2027. The construction timeline has been developed in consultation with the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) to minimize disruptions to downtown traffic.

Stakeholder Impact

Job Creation

The center is projected to create 500 new high‑skill jobs over the next five years. 300 of these are anticipated to be in research and development roles, while 200 will be in manufacturing, IT, and administrative support. In addition, the center will indirectly generate 1,200 jobs through supply chain activity and ancillary services.

Educational Opportunities

The partnership with PSU and OHSU will include a joint PhD program in biomedical engineering, with a curriculum that integrates real‑world laboratory experience in the center’s facilities. In addition, the center will host an annual summer internship program for high‑school students in the Portland area, fostering early exposure to STEM careers.

Economic Ripple Effects

According to an OED economic model, the $27 million investment is expected to generate $200 million in new private sector investment over the next decade. The model estimates a cumulative economic impact of $1.3 billion, supporting nearly 12,000 jobs in the broader Portland region.

Governor Mills’ Vision

“We’re setting the stage for Oregon to become a national leader in the life sciences,” Mills said. “With this center, we’re not just providing a building; we’re cultivating an ecosystem that attracts talent, encourages collaboration, and accelerates the translation of research into market‑ready products.”

The governor also emphasized the importance of inclusion, noting that the center will prioritize support for underrepresented scientists and entrepreneurs. “Innovation thrives when diverse perspectives are given a platform,” Mills remarked.

Community Reaction

Local business leaders were quick to express enthusiasm. The Portland Economic Development Council’s chair, Maria Sanchez, called the announcement “a pivotal moment for our city.” “The center will bring in high‑value jobs and help our local firms become part of the national life sciences supply chain,” she said.

Meanwhile, residents in the Southwest Corridor expressed mixed feelings. While many welcomed the prospect of new jobs, some expressed concerns about increased traffic and rising housing costs. In response, the city council announced a traffic mitigation plan and a $5 million fund dedicated to affordable housing development in the vicinity of the new center.

Follow‑Up Links

For more detailed information, the article linked to:

1. Oregon Economic Development Department – Life Sciences Center Overview
   The OED page provides a project timeline, funding details, and a downloadable white paper on the center’s expected economic impact.

2. Portland Life Sciences Initiative – Strategic Plan 2025‑2030
   This document outlines the broader regional strategy for life sciences growth, including workforce development programs, research collaborations, and commercialization pathways.

3. Portland State University – Biomedical Engineering PhD Program
   A curriculum overview shows how the new PhD program will integrate with the center’s labs and industry partnerships.

4. Oregon Health & Science University – Innovation Hub Blog
   The blog post features interviews with early‑stage startups already slated to occupy the incubator space, giving insight into the types of companies the center aims to attract.

Bottom Line

The $27 million investment announced by Governor Mills represents a bold commitment to Oregon’s life sciences future. By combining state funds, private capital, and federal grants, the new Portland Life Sciences Center promises to boost the state’s economy, generate high‑skill jobs, and create a vibrant research ecosystem. As the project moves from planning to construction, stakeholders across the region will be watching closely to see how this new hub shapes the trajectory of life sciences innovation in Oregon and beyond.