Texas Tech University’s relationship with Bayer CropScience and its footprint in agricultural research and innovation continues to grow with the opening of the Bayer CropScience Seeds Innovation Center on Wednesday, Sept. 2.

The center, located at 3316 Ninth St. on the north side of Marsha Sharp Freeway, just south of the International Cultural Center, will host the company’s global cotton business operations as well as state-of-the-art laboratories and research facilities, including a 50,000-square-foot greenhouse.

“The leadership at Bayer CropScience, the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources and the Office of the Vice President for Research are a model for positive and rewarding academic and industry relationships,” said Texas Tech President M. Duane Nellis.

The $16 million, 100,000-square-foot complex is designed to boost seed research and innovation not only for cotton, but also soybean and wheat research. In addition to the laboratory and research space, the facility will include 50,000 square feet of office space that can support approximately 100 employees.