State Sen. Eric Johnson joined officials from the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography to break ground on the Institute's new laboratory building. The Marine and Coastal Science Research and Instructional Center will contain 11,000 square feet of research laboratories, space for visiting scientists and instructional space for marine science students from throughout the University System of Georgia. It is expected to be certified under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System.

The center will allow Skidaway Institute to expand its research in several areas.

During the 2006 legislative session, the Georgia General Assembly approved a $5 million appropriation for the construction of a new laboratory and instructional building.