Governor Tim Kaine said of SRI, "When we look at the SRI story, and what SRI has done, it's really spectacular history since the 1950s know that this investment will be one of the easiest investments the Commonwealth has ever made."

They bring a history of innovation to the Valley. They says they have developed over 130 new drugs, made ultra sound useful as medical tool, and even invented the first computer mouse.

SRI International will create about 100 jobs in the Valley over the next decade. But the governor is quick to point out that it's not just the jobs that make this a particularly significant announcement.

Kaine says, "It will revolutionize both our existing university research and workforce operations."

SRI is a non profit company. As a result Virginia is providing the initial start up capitol. The commonwealth has committed to a total of nineteen million. The state has already appropriated three million dollars this year to initiate the program. Kaine says he added another 12 million dollars to the project in the 2008 budget.

Twenty Fifth District Legislator Steve Landes said that he feels that research is the future for Virginia. He added, that he hopes this is just one step in Virginia becoming another Silicon Valley.

Their main focus will be on drug research. But they went on to say they will also be working on technology for homeland security, nano technology, and information technology.