Top officials from the U.S. Geological Survey were in Columbia on Wednesday morning to dedicate a new research center.

Area dignitaries held a ceremony to open the U.S.G.S. Columbia Environmental Research Center, or CERC, on New Haven Road.

The 23,800 square foot laboratory building has invested nearly $12 million into the Mid-Missouri economy.

Researchers at the new facility are experts in clean water, endangered species and large river ecology.

U.S.G.S. Director Marcia McNutt said, “It’s not often at the U.S.G.S. that we get the opportunity to get a brand, spanking, new building that is state of the art.  This is a glorious day even though it’s overcast.”

Researchers said their new state of the art laboratory brings national and international recognition to Columbia.

President Obama’s stimulus bill provided most of the funding for the project.